It's A Dog's Life........

[DisneyGirl]

Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone that has a "service dog". Its called discrimmination.................. Service dogs are allowed anyplace, anytime, anywhere.....................

Very true. But I still can't afford one and I'd really rather have a place of my own first. If I asked my landlord, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. It's me that minds.

[Spiritwovles_2]

Mine too are pound rescues.......... right off death row at Christmas.....
Best thing I ever did..........

I can't imagine parting with them, would break my heart.......(though that could have happened if I had not been in a position to buy my home back)... and stay in it.

Everybody said I was more worried about my "girls" welfare than my own...... when it came to the bankruptcy issue and the house....

I'm so thankful that I didn't have to give them up and I truely feel compassion and sympathy for anyone that had to give up a beloved pet during the bankruptcy process because no one would rent to them.....

Pets are not just pets - they are family................

Sorry you had to give up 3 of yours... hope you can visit them sometimes!!
A dog/cat never forgets an owner......... (my mom hadn't seen my cat for 10 years and my cat remembered her)...... animals have a long-time memory....

********

awww what a wonderful gift of a new loving life off death row!!!! I truly applaud you, for doing such a wonderful deed. They will always hold a special bond with you and remember where they came from and what they have now with you and your family.

Yes u were very fortunate that you bought your house back; we were not in that position when we weighed the pro's/cons and felt we did what was best for all involved.

That is how we were so worried about them and there welfare thought we'd live onthe curb if we had to until we knew they were safe and well cared for.
Some would think that is rediculous but they were family.

Yes thank you we do have the option to visit them which is a blessing.
We can check on them via email or phone anytime we want.. Get updated pictures and stories so that we still feel apart of there lifes. We havent visited them yet as we wanted them to be settled in first as to not confuse them.

[anonymuse]

During my BK process (which is still not closed - 2 years and counting).... my dogs have been my life line to sanity.............

I totally agree--if nothing else than getting your mind off of it for a few minutes.

They love you when they know you need it the most....... and get terribly upset when you cry......

Mine goes nuts when I cry--it's like she wants to help but doesn't know what to do.

They will comfort you in anyway they can.... they'll even share their milkbone with you if they think it will help......

Umm, this is where ours differ. That milkbone is scarfed up in 10 seconds--no one is keeping her from her treats. LOL

The lawyer talked like losing my house wouldn't be such a big deal since I'd walk away with a lot of money. But all I could think of is two things: 1)having to look for a place to rent and actually getting my stuff there, and 2)finding a place that accepts dogs since there is no way I'd go anywhere without her!

[Lesa13]

I have 4 dogs and 2 cats and I am sooo lucky my new landlord was pretty much okay with that.

I fudged a little on the dogs (told him 3, because 2 almost look exactly alike and are both 14 yo and sleep all day anyway). Yes yes I know, I should have told him 4, but it has been my limited experience with landlords that once you get in and are a great tenent, you have much better luck saying "hey, I got a new foster dog, hope that's okay" than telling them up front - I have 4. That sounds like a LOT!

I also told him that ANYTHING that is not up to spec from his point of view because of animal wear and tear or "accidents" I will replace with no questions asked - same or better quality. Also paying him an extra $50 a month "pet rent". If I can swing it, I will hire a 1x a week "pooper scooper" service for the 1.5 acre yard. But I am still happy with the whole situation and got very lucky.

My "kids" are my heart - I couldn't bear to be without them. During hard times like this BK, I need all the support I can get!

[13inOR]

I am a doglover myself. I have a mini Dachshund, longhaired, brown and tan, named Willie,and a chihuahua-rat terrier mix named Tequila. We love them both!

[Minnymouth]

YES, lots of you feel the same way about your beloved "pets".... whether it be a dog, cat, fish, bird, hamster, etc........

Yes, man's "best friend" is his dog..........

Don't laugh too hard, but its amazing what I'll do for my girls (Molly and Minny)...... that I won't do for a man............... LOL......

And also I firmly believe that any man that will kick and beat his dog will beat his wife and kids....

Also its a proven fact that children that are raised with pets are calmer, more in touch with nature, develop patience, and are more responsible kids.

I was so glad when they started taking pets to the senior citizens homes/centers..... and to the hospitals for children........ It benefits them so much, health wise and mentally...... I'm sure many seniors will pet these animals and think of all of their own in their past... memories.

Those of you that do not have pets.................. just don't know what your missing in your lives.

[krobin02]

I agree with everyone but I have to amend one thing... it's my cat Luka!

[Minnymouth]

krobin02,

I now have dogs again, but at one time I had only cats, then cats and 3 dogs... now back to dogs again.

I owned a black persian cat for 17 years (Flakey) and I had her daughter (PeeWee) for 24 years (yes, 24 years).... vet said she lived on LOVE!!

So I too am an avid cat lover........ always have been.... People who say that they don't "like" cats........ HAVE NEVER BEEN LOVED BY ONE!!!!!

My CB handle for the last 30 years has been "Kozy Kitten"....... I dated a man named "Canine" for several years........... he trained guard dogs at WPAFB in Ohio.... and he gave me my CB nickname.

SO - YES, YES, YES, ON THE CATS..........EVEN THE BIG BOYS (WOULD LOVE TO OWN ONE - TIGER, PANTHER)

[anonymuse]

Problem with cats and me is that they go to love me and rub up all against me, and I get massive hives. That ended any relationships with cats and I at a very young age.

[robivi3]

Princess is feeling the needles today, all 9.2 pounds of her. I love the way sandy uses her tiny butt for a pillow, this is developing into a perfectly symbiotic relationship. He is even checking her for a "wet nose".

[krobin02]

Ahhhhh... the big cats. I would love to even get to play with one once!

[DisneyGirl]

I got to pet a clouded leapard cub once at the zoo. He was so cute!!!! I think they said the cubs were 5 months old. So adorable!

[Minnymouth]

I miss seeing the "big cats" at Busch Gardens....

When I lived in Southern Georgia I used to drive down often and just walk around the compound where they are.... would spend the day!!!

Though I do have my own "bear" in the field out back!!! NO KIDDING, a big bear has come down out of the hills and is being seen all over town....... I knew he was around because of the news. My "girls" went to raising hell one evening at dusk, full moon...... I looked out across the field dotted with big bales of hay and there he was - playing on the hay bales..... jumping off and on and standing up and playing king on the mountain...... HE WAS AWESOME!!! Had to get my girls in though, they were agitating him..... and they could get hurt. They have tried to catch him to take him back up in the mountains but so far haven't been able too. Nobody or anything has been hurt by him, they just tell everyone.............DON'T FEED THE BEAR!!!!

But right now 'DOGS RULE' at Minny's house!!!!!

Daniel Boone National Forest is right at my back door.... so I get to see deer, foxes, coyotee, and bears.

[SinkingFast]

We have a pet. A cat. He used to have a twin, but she died several years ago of renal failure. I thought he'd go soon after her. He'd die of heartbreak. She was, after all 14 years old at the time. Old for a cat.

I THOUGHT.

Mithrandir, (as in "Lord of the Rings" way before it was ever kewl), and his sister, Arwen, were literally tossed out in front of our house one evening. Why do people take animals out to the country to get rid of them??

We took them in hoping to find a good home for them. Never did. Hubby said take 'em to the Humane Society. I said, "You know what will happen to them there." And they've been with us ever since.

Until Arwen died, that is. She went over Rainbow Bridge. And now we only have one boss.

As Hubby has told every Landlord, "If you won't take our cats, we won't take the house."

Here we are, 4 states, and numerous homes later, and "Old Man" is still with us. He's 20 years old. But he cannot drive. Daughter Number 2 says it's cause he doesn't have thumbs!

[lrprn]

We have a pet. A cat. He used to have a twin, but she died several years ago of renal failure. I thought he'd go soon after her. He'd die of heartbreak. She was, after all 14 years old at the time. Old for a cat.

I THOUGHT.

Mithrandir, (as in "Lord of the Rings" way before it was ever kewl), and his sister, Arwen, were literally tossed out in front of our house one evening. Why do people take animals out to the country to get rid of them??

We took them in hoping to find a good home for them. Never did. Hubby said take 'em to the Humane Society. I said, "You know what will happen to them there." And they've been with us ever since.

Until Arwen died, that is. She went over Rainbow Bridge. And now we only have one boss.

As Hubby has told every Landlord, "If you won't take our cats, we won't take the house."

Here we are, 4 states, and numerous homes later, and "Old Man" is still with us. He's 20 years old. But he cannot drive. Daughter Number 2 says it's cause he doesn't have thumbs!

I'm so sorry for your loss, SF - it's very hard to say goodbye when pets have been a part of our lives for so long. We lost our 17-year-old cat, Spoons, several months ago to renal failure as well. And our cat before that, Tigger, lived to be 18 - he came with me to our marriage (husband jokes he was one the best parts of the deal! lol!) We were recently adopted by a new cat, Mr. Mu - he ran up one rainy night while my daughter and her friends were out on our porch meowing and wanting to be petted. Had no license, he's about a year old. He strolled right into our house, so we kept watch in the papers and watching around in the neighborhood for signs looking for a lost cat for several weeks - nothing. He loves us and we love him - now he's ours and we couldn't be happier. Looking forward to many years with our newest kitty as well! What would we do without our beloved pets to brighten up a crummy bk day?