Scratchings-and-Sniffings

I Love Cows

...and ducks. And, goats. And chickens. And rabbits. I love all animals. (not overly fond of insects but...I don't crush'em when I see them...unless they are in the house...sorry!)

At any rate, one thing we pet people sometimes forget is that all creatures, great and small, need our protection. Farm Santuary is an organization that covers the 'other' half of the animal kingdom - farm animals. (let's cover wild animals another time - you know how much I <3 elephants!) I get their newsletter every month and at this time of year, I thought it important enough to share.

Why? Well, because Easter is coming. Easter brings... little chicks and rabbits and all manner of baby animals that entice Moms and Dads. Lots of kids get pets for Easter, with no real thought on the care and welfare of that pet. It isn't a conscious decision - "Oh, it's just a rabbit. As long as it makes her happy for a few days, I can always return it to a shelter. Someone else will adopt it, then." I think most families actually think they will keep the Easter pets - but few do.

Amazing Video of Elephant Dancing

Too wonderful and amazing. I could watch it over and over and over. I just know elephants are so intelligent and they are better 'people' than many of us. Enjoy!

 

Wordless Wednesday - Play

Onyx invites kitty to play.

Now a word from the CAT

Yesterday I mused on the pros and cons of taking the dogs to BlogPaws, this year. I forgot to mention that as Founders of the conference, we are always running hither and yon, here and there, and seldom available to give our pups the attention they will need and deserve, while at the conference. They will likely be in the dog park a fair bit. I seriously do not know how they would do there - they love other dogs, but... the change in venue could be more than they can handle.

I took my problem to The Grumpy Old Lady and this is what she said, in all seriousness...

"Take them. Please!"

Well, would you expect less?

Take the Dogs...Don't Take the Dogs

We are faced with a dilemma at our house. BlogPaws is only 3 months away and we need to make a decision on the dogs. Take them, or leave them home with the pet sitter.

On the "take them" side, the pros are few - 

1. The gang at BlogPaws want to meet the founders' dogs.

2. The trip is a drive not a fly - Salt Lake City is in driving distance.

3. We would have them with us and not be worrying about them all day, every day. (the pet sitters are fantastic but...these are our kids, we do worry about them when we're away)

On the "take them" side, the cons are also few -

Kitty Goes Out

First, you need to understand that kitty never goes out. She's an indoor cat. I can't remember back to when she used to sit in the window and bask in the sun...perhaps watching the birds outside. She's never been big on that kind of thing. We gave away the perch we used to have for her.

Back in the old house, she did get out once or twice... whereupon she would strut around the yard in a small square, and then go hide under the deck. <sigh>

In this house we have a nicely fenced in yard. Not a lot of grass yet - we're working on it! But, some plants, some holes the dogs have dug, and otherwise, a bit of an interesting landscape. Or so we thought.

I've taken the Grumpy Old Lady, aka Wabby Wibby, out twice this year. I put her on the grass and step back to see what she'll do. She's as likely to sit down and do nothing, as she is to nose about and explore. Just the other day, when little Onyx was visiting, he came out with us and his fascination with kitty got the better of him. He would not leave her side!

But, she wasn't in the mood to play! As you can see by the picture - she kept checking out the status of the sliding glass door!

Here's a video of the little guy hoping to get her to play with him, from Tout... too funny!

 

 

Oh The Life of a Dog!

Who hasn't said, at least once, "When I come back, I'm going to be a dog. Like ...<name of your fav dog>." Or, "a cat"... we all want to live the life of ... an Emily, Chester, Olive or Wabby. If we're getting personal and all...those are my pets, dontcha know.

The live the life of riley. No doubt about it!

I think I'd like to be Olive. Olive may be a little girl, she's a rare brown Boston Terrier, with one eye, but she can hold her own! As with many small dogs, she has no idea that she's not just as big and fierce as the hound dogs, Chester and Emily. As for the cat, none of my dogs understand the cat. They watch her stroll about the house and now that the weather has changed and we let her out in the backyard once in awhile, they find her presence fascinating. 

Old Dogs Love You More

Do you own an 'old' dog? What, exactly is 'old' in dog years? The prevailing belief is that dogs over 7 are headed into old age, and they get there much faster than we get there. Visit Lily's Legacy and help support them as they work to save old dogs in need.

I've had several dogs in my life. All of them have lived to 15 or 16 years. Today, our Chester is 9 and we want him around for all of those next 6-7 years he may have left. He's beginning to slow down, though he wants to keep up with his 'wife' Emily. I know he's not aware of his age, the way we are, but he prefers long naps and lotsa loving in the evening, to throwing a ball or chasing rabbits - things his 'wife' Emily (who is only 3) thrives on.

This video touches me in ways I can't explain. That anyone would 'throw away' an old dog is criminal, in my opinion. I hope someday to have the resources to rescue or home old dogs that are left at shelters by uncaring parents. Enjoy the video and if you have a soft spot in your heart for old dogs, tell me your story. We old folks need to stick together.

 

Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday!

OMD! We've been SOOooo busy over at BlogPaws, what with the contests for T-shirt design and Build a Business Blog (sponsored by PetSmart) and our work at the AAHA conference in Denver and planning the conference (so much going on there - you should register soon - this conference is going to break records!), that we have neglected our little Scratchings & Sniffings. We'll be back in full force next week, folks. 

Here's our Wordless Wednesday photo... 

Too Lazy To Write Week

And so, because I'm slammed with BlogPaws stuff, and I'm off at the American Animal Hospital Association's Denver conference (too much going on, will try to share this weekend!), I am sharing pics...maybe some Touts later on, we'll see. 

Enjoy these little bits from a previous BlogPaws Conference - and check out the other pics. They'll keep you entertained. 

Yep, we attract kids, too!

Dr. Laura Bennett and Jane Harrell

Our own Tom talking up the sessions.

Snotface the Ferret