Who has a cat?

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I find it interesting that we have a cat thread as well as a pet thread. It would seem that the cat owners on the forum are more passionate about their pets than the dog owners.

Growing up, my family always had a dog, and cats did not really register with me. It was not until I left home at age 18 that my parents added a cat.

I remained unimpressed by cats until my 40s, when my teenage daughter got a cat. When she left for college, the cat and I bonded, and I now consider myself a cat person. During the twenty years from 2004 to 2024 I had several livestock guardian dogs for my llama farm, but they were not as close as the cats.

Cat's are just so much better than dogs. I grew up with cats. We had them because at my parents house we had a pool with a farm field behind us and the mice or whatever rodents would get into the skimmer and just clog the damn thing. So we got a cat and problem solved.

I love cats personalities and they are just freakin hilarious. I haven't had a cat for some years now as my parents took in my last cat as they developed a strong bond with her and then I met my wife who is allergic to cats...hmmm..or so she says... That cat passed away about 3 years or so ago.

We have a dog now (been with us for about 3-4 years) as my wife wanted one and my 8 year old daughter as well. I am not fond of it at all. Never been a dog guy. I tried with him. I just can't get over the neediness, constant barking over nothing all day and licking every damn thing in the whole house. Not to mention I am pretty much the only one who takes it out to go to the bathroom.

I miss having a cat big time. They always brought so much joy to me. Honestly...having our current dog is a chore to me and brings me zero joy / happiness. I just try to maintain peace inside the house as I don't want to piss off my wife. She already knows I don't want the dog and would find it a new home in a split second. He has bit our daughter twice and has gone after a few other people very recently inside our house, one was a painter and one was a family friend picking up her daughter from a playdate with my daughter. If it wasn't for the dog being tied up those two times, he wouldn't be with us. He has one more strike and he is gone. He growls at my daughter and shows his teeth constantly. Only person he is nice to is my wife. My daughter tries so hard to play and be close to him but he doesn't want any part of it. Which is very sad.

We have spend well over $5k for a personal dog trainer and nothing works.


Anyways...cats are the best and I miss mine every single day!

I saw a quote online that I find true..atleast for me:

"People who don't like cats often associate love with control. Dogs come when called, giving a sense of control, while cats show love on their own terms, which can be harder for some to accept."

[dreamingat30fps]

When we bought the house in NC we noticed a black cat who would often wander around the patio. We started leaving him food. Now he basically comes every day during the summer when we are here. He's a dick. Will hiss at me while I'm literally putting food in the bowl.

Honestly I don't know how he's still alive. I have seen him show up majorly fucked up multiple times and he seems to recover. One time something must have almost chomped his head off because he had major injury to his head, ear and even his eye looked like it was done. You couldn't tell anything happened to him today.

I started feeding him to keep him around to hopefully take care of mice, however I think he's pretty old and lazy not sure how much mouse killing he's doing.

Anyways I'll stick with dogs.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Glad you asked because I'm happy to report she's doing better. She seems her old self and I've been watching closely. Was going to call the vet today if she didn't improve; good we don't have to do that.

Was checking my cat’s vet records and it was last year in September when she was last in so I’ve decided to take her in for a check-up and basic blood tests. Was reading that seniors should be seen twice a year so she’s overdue.

Picked up some gabapentin at the vets office today. It’s the liquid version and I will put it in her food tomorrow 2 hours before her appointment. Hopefully it calms her down so she doesn’t have a bad time at the vet. Will let you guys know how it goes.

[floridaorange]

Cool to see them enjoying each others company. This is new to see.

[flybigjet]

So--

I've been up in WA State helping my father out with chores around the house this week.

The Minister called a few days ago to give me the bad news-- Bailey had lost his favorite toy. There has been much drama and he's been following my wife around, crying and generally being pitiful about the whole thing.

She's looked everywhere for it. He's looked everywhere for it.

No joy. It's gotten sort of nuts-- the Minister spent a good couple of hours looking everywhere she could think of, but the damn thing has vanished.

Yesterday? She sent me this picture. Bailey apparently decided to look in the washing machine- with no luck.

Amazon to the rescue. Replacement toy inbound today. Hopefully, that'll be an acceptable substitute.

R.

PS: When I showed my father the picture, his response was: "Close the lid and give him a bath!"

Thanks, Dad.

R.

[Esteban]

^ I've seen cats get in some strange places but that's a new one on me. Never seen a cat in a washing machine before. I guess when you're searching for that cherished missing toy you have to think outside of the box. lol

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

So—

I've been up in WA State helping my father out with chores around the house this week.

The Minister called a few days ago to give me the bad news— Bailey had lost his favorite toy. There has been much drama and he's been following my wife around, crying and generally being pitiful about the whole thing.

She's looked everywhere for it. He's looked everywhere for it.

No joy. It's gotten sort of nuts— the Minister spent a good couple of hours looking everywhere she could think of, but the damn thing has vanished.

Yesterday? She sent me this picture. Bailey apparently decided to look in the washing machine- with no luck.

Amazon to the rescue. Replacement toy inbound today. Hopefully, that'll be an acceptable substitute.

R.

PS: When I showed my father the picture, his response was: "Close the lid and give him a bath!"

Thanks, Dad.

R.

The minister takes a breather in your washing machine while you are in “Washing”ton?!

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

The minister takes a breather in your washing machine while you are in “Washing”ton?!

I think the minister is his wife.

[chris_1001]

Originally Posted by Esteban

^ I've seen cats get in some strange places but that's a new one on me. Never seen a cat in a washing machine before. I guess when you're searching for that cherished missing toy you have to think outside of the box. lol

Mine tries to get into mine (front loader)

[M-technik-3]

Originally Posted by chris_1001

Mine tries to get into mine (front loader)

Mine hops right in it. It's a box with water so he curious.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by M-technik-3

Mine hops right in it. It's a box with water so he curious.

Aqua-Cat?

[kattz]

Jade is a 6 year old tortoiseshell with lots of tortitude. When we went to go look at a litter of domestic long hairs, she was the runt of the litter and she climbed up my leg and up my back and we made the decision she was going home.

She's been dedicated to me ever since we brought her home And she is a super cat. She hangs close when I'm home and anxious to see me when I get home from a long trip. Here you can see us having a good time together while she's sleeping and I'm playing games. Cats are so awesome!

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I think the minister is his wife.

Yes-- the Minister of War and Finance.

R.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Yes-- the Minister of War and Finance.

R.

I can understand that, but why are your cats the terrorists? They seem pretty chill to me.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I can understand that, but why are your cats the terrorists? They seem pretty chill to me.

The Zoomies? Oh God, the Zoomies.

And then there's the airdropping from the loft to the bed (the bed abuts the loft). It doesn't matter if you're in the bed or not-- when they're airborne, you find about it when they freakin' LAND on top of you at near-terminal velocity.

Finally? There's the Basement to Main Floor to Upstairs Bedroom Grand Prix.

Yes, it's *exactly* as it sounds.

And? I'm down two comforters-- they've managed to tear/rip holes in both-- although to make up for it? They're both very helpful (NOT!) in making the bed.

My seamstress is *very* amused.

R.

[Esteban]

^^ I have experienced the zoomies, of course. Every cat owner has, or should have. Even my 13 year old senior gets the zoomies. I, honestly love watching her tear through the house. Hope she never stops. If that's why you call them terrorists, I get it.

[mdf]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

He has bit our daughter twice and has gone after a few other people very recently inside our house … If it wasn't for the dog being tied up those two times, he wouldn't be with us. He has one more strike and he is gone. He growls at my daughter and shows his teeth constantly. Only person he is nice to is my wife.

Off the topic of cats, the situation you describe does not sound like a good one for your family or for the dog.

There was a story a few years ago about a Chihuahua offered for adoption that was described as a “haunted Victorian child in the body of a small dog that hates men and children”. I recalled it from your reading your post. “There's not a very big market for neurotic, man hating, animal hating, children hating dogs that look like gremlins." https://www.npr.org/2021/04/27/99137...s-been-adopted But the point of that story really was, that problem dog got a new owner that was a better fit and everyone lived happily.

You didn’t mention what breed. Some breeds are more chill. There are some dogs, just individuals, that are not kid friendly. My grandmother had a nasty poodle that barked at me constantly. My father hated that dog. It barked and snarled at us constantly. So your post struck a nerve. I can remember trying to get that poodle to like me and it just wouldn’t. And my dad telling me to stay away from it.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by mdf

Off the topic of cats, the situation you describe does not sound like a good one for your family or for the dog.

There was a story a few years ago about a Chihuahua offered for adoption that was described as a “haunted Victorian child in the body of a small dog that hates men and children”. I recalled it from your reading your post. “There's not a very big market for neurotic, man hating, animal hating, children hating dogs that look like gremlins." https://www.npr.org/2021/04/27/99137...s-been-adopted But the point of that story really was, that problem dog got a new owner that was a better fit and everyone lived happily.

You didn’t mention what breed. Some breeds are more chill. There are some dogs, just individuals, that are not kid friendly. My grandmother had a nasty poodle that barked at me constantly. My father hated that dog. It barked and snarled at us constantly. So your post struck a nerve. I can remember trying to get that poodle to like me and it just wouldn’t. And my dad telling me to stay away from it.

Thanks for the post! The breed is a cha-wheenie or chihuahua mini dachshund mix. Has about 5% chihuahua and the rest mini dachshund.

My wife knows he isn't a good fit for the family. I even brough it up two weeks after we got him that he wasn't.

I have tried, I honestly have tried to develop a relationship with him but I can't get past some of the things I listed above, especially biting my daughter and the way he treats her. For example, every night my daughter likes to tuck him in his bed in our bedroom before she goes to bed for the night and he just growls and shows teeth every single time. He want's nothing to do with her but she is all about him. Then he is fine once she leaves.

He is very aggressive. Like what I said above, we have spent over $5k on a dog trainer a few years ago and the dog trainer had to send him home early because he was too stubborn. We have tried a few things to calm him down and tried to correct his behavior.

He is 10000% full of anxiety and the separation anxiety is though the damn roof! When someone opens up the garage door, he goes ballistic and growls and if I am holding his leash (he constantly jumps on people when they enter the house..which is why people don't usually come over any more) he gets very aggressive towards me and lunges at me like he is in attack mode.

We are never home. I work downtown twice a week, Tues and Thurs and the wife is always out for work. We are gone most weekends with activities and things and he spends most days home by himself. Which isn't right at all. We aren't creating a good environment for him. He needs to be walked and played with and he is the type of dog that needs a home where the owner is there 100% of the time. We aren't that family. Wife loves him and so does my daughter...to me, he is a bourdon and I hate to say it, but it's just a matter of time before he bites someone.

I rather it be me than my daughters friends who come over to play. They think he is the cutest dog and try to play with him and he want's none of it. Very embarrassing and freighting. What if they get bit, I don't think my daughter would have anymore play dates with those girls and that would crush her heart.

I know what to do but how do I tell my daughter that it's in the best interest of this family to find him a new, better home.

Anyways..back on topic..

Cats are simply the best!

[floridaorange]

Ironic Chihuahuas seem to be a recurring topic on a cat thread. They are often compared to cats in many ways. But chihuahua's are awesome, once you get to understand the nuances of the breed. Before you get rid of your hyper loyal chihuahua - which is often what they are, but they are also very particular about several parts of their lives: When they are eating, when they are resting: This book helped me come around to love and appreciate our chihuahua, now 17 yrs old and still fiercely loyal to my kids.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Ironic Chihuahuas seem to be a recurring topic on a cat thread. They are often compared to cats in many ways. But chihuahua's are awesome, once you get to understand the nuances of the breed. Before you get rid of your hyper loyal chihuahua - which is often what they are, but they are also very particular about several parts of their lives: When they are eating, when they are resting: This book helped me come around to love and appreciate our chihuahua, now 17 yrs old and still fiercely loyal to my kids.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am good. If the dog makes it with us for 17 years..I really don't think I will be here. I would die from all of the stress from the dog. lol.

I'm not a dog person.

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am good. If the dog makes it with us for 17 years..I really don't think I will be here. I would die from all of the stress from the dog. lol.

I'm not a dog person.

lol i hear ya

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

So--

I've been up in WA State helping my father out with chores around the house this week.

The Minister called a few days ago to give me the bad news-- Bailey had lost his favorite toy. There has been much drama and he's been following my wife around, crying and generally being pitiful about the whole thing.

She's looked everywhere for it. He's looked everywhere for it.

No joy. It's gotten sort of nuts-- the Minister spent a good couple of hours looking everywhere she could think of, but the damn thing has vanished.

Yesterday? She sent me this picture. Bailey apparently decided to look in the washing machine- with no luck.

Amazon to the rescue. Replacement toy inbound today. Hopefully, that'll be an acceptable substitute.

R.

PS: When I showed my father the picture, his response was: "Close the lid and give him a bath!"

Thanks, Dad.

R.

This brings back a very sad childhood memory.

Our next door neighbors had their washer and dryer setup in their carport.
Their cat climbed into the dryer. The lady of the house tossed in a few more
clothes, closed the hatch and started the dryer. The poor cat literally
disintegrated.