We've decided to look for a pet, and no, for my regular readers, it will not be a goat.
These were my two cats, Grimmy and Puck. I got them during my sophomore year in college (you do the math!), and they both passed away last year, about seven months apart. They pre-dated my husband and my child, and moved all over the damn country with me, and I miss them terribly. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to go looking for love again.
But lately, The-Four-Year-Old has been saying she misses them, too. She's been drawing lots of pictures with her and the cats, and her and animals in general. That, and the adorable pictures of Willowtree's zoo has been getting me thinking of sharing my home with animals again. So, we've been looking.
At the moment, we've been trying to decide between a dog or a cat (or multiple dogs and cats), and we've been weighing the pros and cons of each.
Pros of getting a dog:
It poops outside.
We can take it to the beach and the park.
Dogs are loyal.
It can eat the roosters keeping me awake.
It can scare away the ducks and buzzards hanging out on my lawn.
It can chase off the neighbour's chihuahua that keeps pooping in my yard.
Pros of getting a cat:
Usually quieter than a dog.
Won't kill off the grass in my yard with it's urine
Won't bug me for walk at 4 a.m.
Generally, cat poop is smaller than dog poop.
Cats have a better chance of hiding from The Four Year Old.
Won't snort guests' butt or crotch.
I've leave it y'all to come up with the cons. Alright, I'm being a little facetious. I like both dogs and cats, but we're still having a tough time deciding. TFYO is a little nervous around dogs, but I think it's just because she's only lived with cats. We also still don't have a fence around our backyard, but that hasn't stopped our neighbours who let their beasts roam at will. At the moment I'm leaning towards a dog, maybe one on the smaller side (beagle or basset hound-ish).
Either way, our new family member will be coming from the local shelter. There's actually a ton of shelters and rescue leagues in this area, and they all hang out at the PetsMart in Savannah. We went last weekend, and there were probably four or five groups there, with animals in every aisle. I was lucky to get out of there without TFYO taking every dog and cat in the place with her. I think we're going to the Savannah-Chatham Humane Society this weekend. Wish me luck. I'll post pics here when we finally make up our minds, or an animal makes up it's mind for us.
Oh, and as Bob Barker says "Spay or neuter your pet!"
12 comments:
I can ship you a cat that pees a lot.
Holy crap, after all this time you've finally commented. And as you've noted on your own blog, since the cat only pees on your clothes, it might be uncomfortable in my house. The poor thing would end up with a kidney infection because it would be holding it in, trying to find one of your shirts!
Hi Jen
I have a cat and her kitten. And they are both so adorable. I would have to say cats. They smell less and keep themselves clean.
Poetessxxxx
WOOOO HOOOO! Congrats on the decision to offically be looking for an animal! You know I love both cats and dogs (since I have both!) and I'm sure that whichever you decide on will be best. Just make sure you post pictures of my new neice or nephew! :P
I've owned both cats and dogs and have worked in Boarding Kennels and groomed dogs when I was younger, so I love both too.
Dogs have my heart, but cats are alot easier, so it depends how much time you have too.
Why not get 2 of each, and a couple of goats and a donkey.
I've always wanted a donkey - I don't know why.
Whatever you get will be fabulous and TFYO will cope I'm sure.
N.B. The Bassetts we used to get at the kennels, called Berty and Hope, were very stinky. Lovely, but stinky.
Oh, man have you been snowed! Dogs do NOT always poop outside. Mine pooped in the kitchen just yesterday! Therefore, she's yours. Really. Don't even bother to go to the shelter. It will take me 1/2 a day or so to get to Savannah but I'm on my way... You'll be happy to know that she's a cock-a-poo (yes I see the irony there), smallish, will chase your neighbors animals away and doesn't sniff crotches. Not sure what she'll do about the roosters, but you can find that out once I drop her off.
Hey poetess, I am partial to cats, having lived with them so long, but I'm having a tough time finding a good location for a litter box in my house!
LOL, Jo, a goat AND a donkey in addition to the dogs and cats? My husband might leave me, which of course would give me more room for the dogs, cats, goat and donkey.
And bellevelma, I suppose I should amend that list to say "usually doesn't poop in the house". Your cockapoo sounds adorable. How is she with kids? *grin*
"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to go looking for love again." - Then a cat is definitely the answer.
A word of warning, and I'm being serious here, any of the dogs in the hound category are a ton of work, especially beagles. If you are thinking about a beagle, I urge you to visit beagle sites and read the cons (there are a lot).
I've always found a good rule of thumb to be: If you want a dog to be responsive to commands and intelligent, get one with ears that point up. If you want one to be loving but somewhat less bright, get one with ears that flop down (labradors are the exception).
As for litter boxes, I always get rid of them once the cat is old enough to hang outside. They actually prefer to crap out there.
We lost both our cat and our dog just over a year ago and decided we were out of the pet business for good.
But lately I'm weakening.
I kinda want a nice little doggie. They're always happy to see you.
Just had a look at what's on offer, not too keen on the dogs (the shepherd/heeler cross would be good but not with kids around).
If it were me I'd go for Zoe and Chloe, they look good, are past the kitten stage and are already companions.
A bit of trivia, the Blue Heeler (or Australian Cattle Dog) was first developed about 20 miles from where I am.
Yes, yes, yes, to whatever fits your lifestyle. Did you really think I would say anything else???
Do you remember Corky Jen? I was 4 when we got her and she was my best friend through my entire childhood.
Cats can be great pets and companions, but a dog is just something special.
Anybody who says you can't buy love, never bought a puppy. :)
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