My two old labs, Hugo and Maude, turned 13 last month. According to my vet, who assesses dog age based on years and girth, that puts Hugo over 100 people years and Maude in her 90s. They are really that old, too—they are very arthritic, they can’t hear so well anymore, they can’t see so well, and I’m not sure they can even smell very well. They cost me a fortune in doggie pain pills every month (I even get them from Canada and they are still expensive). They have to eat at certain times (sunrise, and like my parents, around 5), and they have to go to the yard a lot…but I love my two old dogs. They have been my stalwart companions for 13 years. We have explored a lot of ground together, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to write a book without them at my feet.
However, I know their time is not long. They move a little slower each day and there have been a couple of episodes of them being disoriented. And now, Maudie has this hack that’s troublesome. I am ignoring it as long as I can…
My family asks about them. They ask what we’ll do when they are gone. They aren’t being morbid or insensitive—they just see what I see. Half the family says, get another puppy now! Ack! We can’t do that—two old dogs are enough work without trying to train a puppy on top of it. The other half of the family says, don’t get a dog, they are too much work! Get a cat!
A cat.
I have always had dogs. I have never had cats. I mean, yeah, I can see the appeal—low maintenance, don’t need you to live, drag in interesting things from their nightly prowling…
But a cat seems like a major life shift, a whole new way of viewing the world. I almost think I’d need a different personality—the kind that doesn’t mind if my affections are constantly rejected.
What about you? Are you a dog person or a cat person? If you are both, how do you manage? What other pets do you have (husbands don’t count)?
evlqn on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:18 am #
Until Recently I had a mobile speed bump, his name was Tanner. Tanner was german shepard ,chow, rottweiler, retriever, and wolf. He had the loudest growl and gentlest nature on the planet. We have a daycare in our home and in all the years we had Tanner we never locked our doors. He knew if you belonged in our house or not and if you didn’t belong , you did not come in.
Tanner loved the color red and he loved to make “trades”. His first Christmas with us he traded one of his toys for an ornament off the tree. He took the ornament and put the toy in it’s place. He loved the kids in the daycare and moped on Fridays when they went home. He wasn’t so bad after my sister’s grandsons came to live with us because then he had part of his pack with him on the week-end.
Tanner developed a tumor in the base of his skull and the vet said that it was his time for the Rainbow Bridge. The boys want a new puppy and we will get them one, but not yet.
evlqn on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:23 am #
We also have four cats, three snarky females who hate each other and one male who can’t believe he isn’t adored by all.
He loved Tanner and followed him everywhere. He also loved our mom’s minature poodle. He stayed in her bed while she delivered her puppies. We have pictures of him with his arm around her.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:53 am #
evlqn, thats so sweet.
My Darling Maverick just rebooted my computer, he is a grey tabby that loves me, his brother Mushu (ginger tabby) isnt as loving to me but he shares everything with my 8yr old maltese, Sophie, Maverick loves to sit on you when you type and he also enjoys typing himself. This can be a problem as i have a Shut down key on the keyboard.
Sophie was a rescued pup, her breeder sold her to a couple not knowing thier were junkies, and when she went back after six months to check up on her (mainly to check for medical issues, as she breeds show animals) She found sophie was starving, in a feaces covered house, the only food evident were pizza boxes lying around. So cybil (the breeder) stole the dog back and gave her to me and my mum saying that sophie needed special love and attention and as I was such a quiet polite girl, could we care for her. It took us 2 days to get her to eat, 3 months to eat with people in the room. 6 months to deal with strangers, she still …
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 5:03 am #
she still seems a little odd and hates people in hats or sunnies, we took her to a vet and she has had broken front legs and a couple of broken ribs which never healed quite right. Ive had her for 7 years and love her dearly, even if i am a cat person.
Cats Love me. I dont know why, but its almost like a mystic power (lol). I go for a walk and cats say hello and brush round my legs, the aske for belly rubs. I am the only person to have patted my grandmas Psycho cat (it was on psych meds) other than her. Sugar, was drowned by my uncle when she was 6 weeks old, then revived, She was never quite right after that. she would poop on my cousin stu, I think thats cause it was his father that tried to drown her.(stu wasnt even born yet)
another odd cat moment was when i was outside alone at night in a gov. housing estate, there was 1 light and was standing next to it when suddenly there was a ginger cat. then i stood still and watched this cat watch me, when i noticed other cats had come …
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 5:08 am #
And so i was now surrounded by 20-30 cats of indescriminate breed or ownership, they all sat on the edges of the circle of light.
the Ginger (which was the mothre a couple of those around me)came forward and smelled me, meowed to the others and started to demand affection from me. I patted her and rubbed her belly, till once more she meowed and then all the other cats came in asking for a patt or a rub or a scratch.
I wondre if this was a sisde affect of spending my first few years of life thinking i was a cat. my mother even had a cat bowlfor me so i would eat out of the cats, and i still love cat bisciuts.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 5:09 am #
Wouldnt eat out of the cats and sorry about the lengthy-ness
Gillian on 09 Feb 2008 at 6:37 am #
I can’t say enough about both, actually. It’s just a matter of what you’re looking for, I suppose. I’ve gotten use to our older cat screaming at me to turn on the faucet so he can drink, and dragging me around the house to open (and shut) certain doors so he can sleep without the kittens bothering him. He’s like an irritated uncle grouching around the house.
Our kittens (3) are seven months old now. We got them at two weeks of age; we rescued them from a neighboring farm when their mama left them. They have a few boundary issues, since they think they’re human; they like to sleep on shoulders, funny now that they’re bigger, and sleep on keyboards, and chase the curser around the computer screen. And they would definitely eat at the dinner table if allowed, the little monsters. But they’re lovely heating pads during winter.
Our puppy, now seven months as well, was raised with them. He’s just a blur of happy energy. It’s lovely having them all.
Gillian on 09 Feb 2008 at 6:38 am #
Hope Doglady drops by today. I’d love to hear her take on this
(waving)
Cookiedough on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:00 am #
Dogs or cats doesn’t matter!
My sister has three very old dogs and I love them, even when Mikey comes in covered in dog wet decided I make a great towel and rubs his HUGE body all over me! Every time he’s wet he does this to me. haha
I rescued a cat over the Christmas holidays and she sits on my head starting at 3 in the morning to get me up to feed her. I can’t imagine being without her now and it’s only been a few weeks. the neighbour left her out over the Christmas holidays while she went to her parents for a week. She came meowing up to me Boxing day.
Sweetums ( her new name) is declawed and was starving and cold. we had a few snow storms and the temp gets down to -20C at night. I let her go home when they got back but the next morning she came back to me. another time she was only gone for 20 mins. She been inside e This neighbour hasn’t called for her or called around the neighbourhood to see who had seen the cat, so as far as Sweetums and I are concerned, she lives here.
Gannon on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:04 am #
I love both. We have two cats and two dogs (puppies). One of my cats, Mr. Bean, who’s almost 3, is the most affectionate cat I know. He’ll roll around on the floor to have his belly rubbed, almost like a dog. Such a lover. Our other cat, Farouk, is 7 months old, and we got this summer for my daughter’s birthday–he’s a shelter kitty like Mr. Bean. He’s sweet, too, but not a lap kitty like my Mr. Bean.
Since I volunteer for a local animal rescue/adoption group, I have adopted 2 pups recently. We got our Dachshund mix, Frodo, in December. He’s a sweetheart. His only flaw is that he must have a bladder the size of a pea. I swear I’ve never seen a dog pee so much. We make LOTS of trips outside.
Our latest family member is a Golden Retriever mix named Rufus. He’s a 9 week old ball of fluff that Frodo treats as his personal toy! He’s the cutest thing! It’s fun for him now; Frodo doesn’t realize that Rufus will be bigger than him soon.
Needless to say, our house is never dull
Margaret Garland on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:38 am #
For most of my adult life, I’ve had both cats and dogs. They all got along fine once the intial getting-to-know-you and finding-their-place periods passed. My last cat got out of the house about 2 years ago and never came back. A couple of months later, I had to have my little white dog put down due to some painful things he was going thru. For the first time since I’ve been out on my own, I had no pet. Nothing furry to cuddle or cry into or just talk things out to.
Last year, one of my granddaughters went to a Cinco de Mayo party. Neighbors had Cocker Spaniel pups they were giving away. She came home with a black one. Mom says no way, Jose. We have a rowdy lab, 3 cats, a rabbit and a rat already. So, they decided Nana needed a companion. Her name is Bella and she is a joy. No matter where I am, there she is. Right now, she’s on top of my feet beneat the computer desk.
Margaret Garland on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:43 am #
Julia, I think you are wise not to get a puppy right now. Not only would it be a lot of work for you, it would be a big trial for Hugo and Maude to deal with a rambunctious little one.
I don’t know your personality or that of your family, but I would recommend having a grieving period for your two old friends before you take the big step of adopting a new pet into your lives. It’s sad that we generally outlive the animals that we have loved and who have loved us at our most unlovable.
We can’t replace them. We can only adopt another and love that one for who they are. Love is different in each relationship. Whether it’s animal or human.
They are a beautiful pair, BTW.
Margaret
Claudia Dain on 09 Feb 2008 at 8:05 am #
I love them both! I’ve always had both, so I’m biased on the issue.
This is the thing, cats, like dogs, have different personalities. They aren’t all loners. I don’t know why, but most of the cats in my life have been very affectionate. They come when they’re called. They like to go for walks with me. They require daily snuggle time. They learn the house schedule and stick to it. They stay off the furniture. This is a biggie for me because I’m allergic to cats!
I also love watching the cat and dog interact. It’s always fun. They find each other endlessly fascinating.
What I’ve found is that a puppy gives an old dog a reason to live. It’s like a shot in the arm. The old dog trains the young pup; this is what we do when she says ’sit’, this is when we eat, this is the property line, this is the mailman—bark! It’s like an in-house dog trainer who speaks Dog beautifully.
Freedom Writer on 09 Feb 2008 at 8:25 am #
I too am a dual animal lover. Right now we have 2 Newfoundlands, and 3, no make that 4 cats. We just inherited the 4th from our daughter last night. This number isn’t too bad, for a while we had 3 dogs and 6 cats.
My Newfie’s are Uncle and Niece. Thunder is a 150lb male who will be 9 this year. He is having a hard time getting around these days and the slippery linoleum scares him. He probably won’t last the year. His niece is Belle. Belle could have been a show dog if it hadn’t been for the crimp at the end of her tail. I think when she was inside her mama her tail was so long that it had to bend at the end to fit in. Belle is going to be 5 this year, and she is going strong. Once Thunder is gone we will look at getting her a new companion.
As for the cats, we have 2 males and 2 females. The new one is a male so we will see how this works out, but he is young. Dijon our older male is almost 9. He was Thunder’s chew toy when they were babies together. Cont.
Freedom Writer on 09 Feb 2008 at 8:34 am #
Chrono, the new male, is a tiger stripe. He is only about 6-7 months old. Yesterday he was laying at my feet under my computer desk. The two females are Sprite, a black and white cat with no tail, and Emily a muted tortie. All of the cats love me best, and it is not unusual to find the 3 older cats all sitting on my lap when I sit down to watch TV.
Oh yes, and Belle, our female Newf, sometimes thinks she is a lap dog and I end up with a lap full of dog. And I do me a lap full. She is about 125-130 lbs. She has also been mistaken for a bear.
That’s enough from me, I think. I could go on all day about my animals past and present. I could talk about Plover, the wonder dog or Lucky, the cat with the mustache that my kids found tied up in a plastic bag, or fat cat or….. Okay, okay, I hear all the sighs and moaning. I’ll stop now.
Paula on 09 Feb 2008 at 8:41 am #
Growing up as a child we always had cats and dogs. The dogs were collies and were working sheep dogs. My 2 boys have (betwen them) 12 fish, coldwater, and 9 stick insects( which I’m not keen on at all.) Both the boys keep asking when can we get a dog but as there is no-one home all day it will have to wait until they are a bit older. I do miss the shep dogs and the cats though. Oh, just remembered also as a child I had a budgie, and between my brothers and sister we had various rabbits, guinea pigs and pet lambs!! We did live on a farm.
doglady on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:23 am #
Here I am, Gillian. You knew I could not resist this topic. Julia, your babies are gorgeous and obviously loved. Trust me. They will let you know when they are ready to cross the bridge. I have always had both dogs and cats. Currently I have 2 indoor dogs, 9 outdoor dogs and 3 indoor cats. My outdoor dogs rotate coming into the house. They have large chainlink dog runs with tin roofs, igloo dog houses and concrete patios. In the summer they have kiddy pools. They are all rescues with mental issues, for lack of a better term.
Last year I lost my beloved Dane, Glory, after almost ten years together to bone cancer. She was one of those once in a lifetime dogs. She raised my youngest cat, Rebecca and my chihuahua, Frodo. Rebecca thinks she IS a dog. The other indoor dog is a dachshund/basset cross named Adelaide. Those three are a riot non stop and notorious cover hogs. My other two indoor buddies are feline couch potatoes. Tigger weighs 23 lbs and Pooh weighs 17.
amy1242 on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:24 am #
It’s hard when pets get old. Our 18 year old GermanSheperd Collie mix, Drambuie, died a year ago this month and it was hard on everyone. Our Collie, Bailey, who will be 14 next month hasn’t been doing well since. We had her to the vet Tuesday and the vet said, “It’s time.” Well, it’s not time for us yet, but I know it will be soon. Right after Buie died, our neighbors cat had kittens. We ended up with the mom and all 4 kittens. It was the hurdle that helped our kids to move on after Buie was gone. I loving call them ‘those crazy cats’. They are crazy, too! But all very snuggly, and love people. They are in our barn with our horses and burro’s, and won’t be coming in the house until after Bailey’s gone. I never thought I could be a cat person, but these kittens have changed my mind. Still…I lean toward the dog side of the scale. Julia, you would love either, I just know it. They are different, but in good ways! They both would make you laugh and be great companions!
Judy F on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:27 am #
We had both growing up too. But since I live in an apt I just have cats. I did have two but now its just Sammy. He is a sweet boy that knows the words treat, nap and eat. He is an awesome alarm clock too. LOL
I do miss having a dog though. I get my fix by going over my sisters. She has an adorable dog named Trixie. She brings you something when you walk in the door.Watching her play with the cat is so funny.
Julia London on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:31 am #
I can’t believe I posted this — I can’t believe it. I wrote it yesterday afternoon when everything was fine. But last night, something happened to Maude. She collapsed. Her breathing is very short, she threw up twice in the night, and she hasn’t moved from the spot where she collapsed. I just called the vet and am waiting for her to come in a couple of hours.
I will keep you posted, but my old girl doesn’t look like herself. I don’t want to speculate. I won’t. I could be over-reacting.
doglady on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:31 am #
Outside is Bane, the Dutch shepherd who flunked police academy because he would not attack. He’s 12. His roomie is Isis, who was dumped at the landfill with her five brothers at the age of 4 weeks. They all had parvo and she is the only one who survived. She had fear biting issues. She’s 10. Boudreaux is a basset/beagle from New Orleans. He survived Katrina and was trapped in the house with his dead owner for nearly 3 months. He has staying indoors issues. His roomies are two rott/shepherd girls - Waya and Grumpy - who came from an abusive situation as puppies. They are now 17 years old! The rest of the crew are all less than two years old and have various problems due to abuse and dog fighting. Bodicea, Velvet, Dancer, Honey, Zorro and Clyde (short for Clydesdale)round out my current crew. Needless to say it will be a long time before I acquire anyone new. I am at my limit! I had a horse for 26 years - Taz. I have had parrots, snakes, lizards, tarantulas, ferrets, hedgehogs, tortoise
cail on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:33 am #
i haven’t had a mammal as a pet since i was 3 years old and the family cat died.
i wanted a puppy so much that i ‘named’ my little brother butterbaum and ‘trained’ him to do as i liked. my dad still refers to him as butterbaum from time to time.
i would love a cat or a dog, either would do. i adore kitties but it would be a lot of work for me since i’m reasonably allergic to them. i’d have to wash them fairly often and clean the house quite a bit more. i would love a puppy but would want a bigger one than i really could have in my apartment. maybe when/if i leave NYC i could manage one.
cail on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:34 am #
OMG Julia, I hope she is ok!
doglady on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:34 am #
I have also had a wolf hybrid and a blue fox. I did wildlife rescue for a while and I have had three racoons, a paralyzed possum for 12 years and various birds that I rehabbed and released.
It was all great, but frankly the dogs and cats are enough for me now and they are great company. Right now Frodo and Adelaide are sitting on my feet. They always do this when I am sitting at the computer and especially if I am dressed for work. They don’t like for me to leave!
jessie on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:40 am #
I don’t like cats at all. I want something that’s going to love me and let me boss it, and cats don’t seem the type. The last dog I had, Sweetie, was a West Highland White Terrier. My family had her for 13 years, from the time I was six until I was 19. She was really my mom’s dog, a once-in-a-lifetime dog like doglady said. At the end, she got canine dementia and had to be put down on my mom’s birthday. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with is seeing Sweetie acting like she didn’t know where she was or who we were.
But six months after she died, we got a new Westie, Missy. She is a trip. She doesn’t like to be touched or petted, but she’s still sweet. And *spastic.* I can’t even describe how energetic, how crazy silly she is. She’s a lot different from Sweetie, and that’s probably a good thing. After my grandma passed away, we got her Shih Tzu, Sophie, and she is the exact opposite of Missy. She won’t let you sit down for two seconds before she comes…
jessie on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:41 am #
…to lay all over you . She’s lazy and thinks she’s a little princess. I love her, but she’s a little needy. So pretty, though.
amy1242 on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:42 am #
Julia, I’ll keep good thoughts for you and Maude today, Hugo too.
Kim on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:10 am #
((((Julia)))) hugs for you and Maude.
I did want to second Claudia, a puppy can really rejuvenate a senior dog. My sil had two older dogs and one was lost to cancer. Fairly soon she adopted two Golden Retreivers. As Claudia said, Squit really helped train the two new demons. A couple weeks ago, she also lost Squirt and I really think having Bear and Scout made it easier to grieve. No new pet can ever replace a lost pet BUT I do think they can help you by giving you a new baby to focus on, spoil, hug when you’re sad.
Like many others, I love both dogs and cats. We’ve got 2 of each and I can’t imagine not having any one of them. They’re all spoiled beyond belief and each have their own little quirks.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:19 am #
Doglady, your AWESOME. i couldnt take on so many, simply ’cause of the work. Rescueing abused or unwanted animals is one of the things admire.
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:20 am #
Aww, Julia, many hugs for what you’re going through.
I grew up with tons of pets, then married a man who couldn’t tolerate them. I think I like the IDEA of pets, but I never did spend much time with ours when I was a kid. The only time I had my own, I had a cat (yes, I prefer cats to dogs). I only had her for three months, but she got on my nerves. Maybe if I lived alone, I’d have a cat for companionship. but I live with two needy men, and that’s about all I can handle since I’m also neither the maternal nor the wifely sort. A friend stayed with me last year for a weekend, and she had to keep her cat here, too. The cat was adorable, but it really loved me and kept wanting to climb in my lap, and after a while, it got annoying. That’s when I realized that I’d probably acquiesced to the “no pet” request of my husband all these years because secretly I didn’t want one. Just too much work.
Sabrina Jeffries on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:22 am #
I’ll agree with Claudia about pet personalities, though I’ve never met a dog that didn’t want to love on you all the time. But all the cats I’VE known have also been pretty affectionate, at least around me. I think I put out a scent or something. Eau de catnip.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:29 am #
Jessie, a shihtzu called sophie? that love cuddles? sounds like my maltese, Sophie. She came with a name, and its funny when we took her with us for a holiday. we stayed a couple nights with my Aunt and our extended family came to see us, including Sophie, my cousin, and Zack, a jack russel. the first morning, my mother yelled out “sophie, stop licking Zack’s Butt” much to the amusement of my uncle (the brit), who immediatly looked at Sophie, his daughter, and said “yeah, stop it you dirty girl”
Julia, Give my love to Maude.
Judy F on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:48 am #
Ah Julia sending you and Maudes lots of prayers and hugs.
Julia London on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:07 am #
Thanks you guys! The good news — today is not Maude’s day. She’s doing a little better and actually kept down a biscuit.
The bad news is, the vet thinks it is only a matter of days.
All I can say is that I am glad I do not have a puppy to deal with right now. Margaret, you’re right — I don’t think Maude or Hugo could deal with it right now.
You know, when I was a kid, I lived on a ranch. Our pets — and there were lots of them (altho I have never heard of a budgie and am dying to know what that is) — would go off in the canyons to die. I remember we buried one, who was accidentally shot. The rest just went off one morning and never came back. Those were the good old days, huh?
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:19 am #
Its a bird, A budgerigar, also known as a Parakeet. Its a Aussie Native and a popular pet. I nevr had one but thats cuase my mum always said that birds should be free not in cages, and i agree somewhat.
As for budgies thier greeny-yellow or blue. they can be found in just about every pet shop, and some pet food stores, in the Wild they tend to Fly around in noisy flocks, and as such can go a little nuts if kept alone.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:20 am #
heres the Wikipedia page. I love Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budgerigar
Claudia Dain on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:24 am #
I’m so sorry, Julia. What a tough time. I hope Maude goes quietly and at home, surrounded by her ‘pack.’
evlqn on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:26 am #
Julia, we will keep a good thought for you and Maude. It is devastating to lose a pet for any reason. We still grieve Tanner and will for a long time to come. Of course we do have his ashes on the shelf and he has made a couple of visits back to the house. Our cat,Binks still looks for him everyday. Even Miss Kitty, Smokey, and Pinefar (I didn’t name her) all missed him when he went.
And don’t get any more pets until you are ready.
Cookiedough on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:29 am #
Julia, my thoughts are with you and Maude.
bnickle on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:36 am #
For the cat lovers out there, or anyone with an off center sense of humor, go to this site and spend a while giggling. http://icanhascheezburger.com/ Great cat humor, and fun to cruise. My daughter is in stitches over “My brotha, he’s…..speshul” A joke only a sibling can truly get.
Kelly Ann on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:51 am #
I’m so sorry Julia, give Maude a hug & scratch from me. Hugo too!
I have a new puppy, we received her as an outside dog on Dec. 24, 2006. Boots was already named and demanded our attention, she wouldn’t leave our sides and now is a member of the family. She doesn’t think she is a dog, she is people! She will sit on your lap & if you don’t pay attention to her she will place her paws on your shoulders & her snout in your face & growl @ you. She has to give kisses and if you aren’t careful, you will get frenched. YUCK! We love her & are fortunate that she loves all of us - even the kids. She has only found 2 people she does’t like, otherwise, if you aren’t a dog lover, don’t come to our house. She isn’t happy unless you have been kissed and she has planted herself on your lap. God forbid you don’t pet her or ignore her - it isn’t done! Fortunately for us, she is small!
I grew up with cats, so I do love them both. I’ve recently been begging for a cat for Boots to play with!
SnikyWhite on 09 Feb 2008 at 11:58 am #
Aww Julia! You both are in my thoughts!
For me, I was a cat person who realized that they tend to be slightly unforgiving and mean. (mine anyway) I am now a doglady and proud of it! I have an Australian Dingo that drives me crazy, but can’t imagine not having her around.
Keep us posted on Maude’s progress Julia! Give her lots of cuddles from the ladies at Mt. Oly.
Suzanne Enoch on 09 Feb 2008 at 12:04 pm #
Oh, Julia, hugs to you and Maude and Hugo and Jack London.
We lost our Katie a couple of months ago, after 17 years. Her health went downhill very quickly, and she died very peacefully while my sister was petting her.
At this moment I have 7 finches, two blue lobsters, 40ish tropical fish downstairs, and 200-odd guppies upstairs. My moodle (Maltese, poodle) Emma has declared me an unfit mother and attached herself to my mom, or something like that.*g* At least I still get to visit her.
Both my sisters are allergic to cats, so we’ve never had any.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 12:16 pm #
Snik, how much Dingo? cause there arent much pure ones left. A lot of mongrel mixes, and ect. how did you get it?
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 12:16 pm #
Wonderful example of grammar there. I should be ashamed.
Karen Hawkins on 09 Feb 2008 at 12:26 pm #
Malady, you’re among friends. We don’t grammarize each other here. For one thing, we know you’re typing this at work or at home while the dog’s begging to go out or the baby’s crying. So don’t worry!
Julia, so sorry to hear about Maud’s cough. I’m a dog person through and through. I have a cat, though — rescued from sure death at the pound. We tolerate each other but we both know she’d prefer it if we’d just leave a ton of cat food in teh house and leave her alone. She’s not social.
My two dogs, meanwhile, are my joys. They hug and snuggle and are just adorable. I lvoe that they love me and I love that I love them back and they enjoy that. Meanwhile, the cat hates us all.
Yup. She hates us. But we scratch her little head anyway!
Emmiebee on 09 Feb 2008 at 12:31 pm #
Julia,
I’m so saddened to hear that your sweetie Maude is having such a rough time. Home hospice care for pets can be scary, nerve-wracking, and emotionally draining. But, it’s also a gift to have your darling at home with you in the last stages of her life. I’m sure you are right there with her favorite blankets and treats, and her pain meds, and your comfort makes all the difference. Please give Hugo a kiss for me too- I’m sure that he may confused about what is happening to his buddy. As a vet, I’m always honored to be able to help extend these precious moments, make the good days last as long as possible, and to help a family give peace in the end to their beloved pet. Dog, cat, ferret, bird, horse- even the sweetest little rat that you ever saw (she gave little rat kisses!)- I’ve seen such strong bonds between people and animals of many species. Each has a personality that is unique- I can’t even pick a favorite breed, let alone species! You have all my warmest thoughts today.
catslady on 09 Feb 2008 at 1:03 pm #
It seems the larger dogs and smaller dogs have shorter lifespans. I know what you are going through though because we had our beagle, Lucy, for 12 years (before kids and our baby) and then a medium size mutt, Shadow, that was the sweetest dog for 17 yrs. I was a stay at home mom by that time and I kept her alive way past when I probably should have but she never complained and never lost her appettite. It’s hard letting them go. We also had a cat and then another (strays/ferals) and I just got another kitten which brings me up to 7 lol. I love both kinds of animals.
Ladytink_534 on 09 Feb 2008 at 1:11 pm #
I’m a cat person although I love dogs too. Cats just don’t smell like dogs do and they can be just as sweet and loving as a dog too. Mine is an inside cat so I have to deal with a litter box but she’ll live longer and like you said, she can’t bring in things she kills (although that doesn’t stop her from killing flies and other bugs!).
Paula on 09 Feb 2008 at 1:29 pm #
julia I’m so sorry to hear about maude and am thinking of you at this time. I wasn’t sure of the spelling of budgerigar so that is why I put budgie.!!
I agree with malady and I prefer seeing animals in their natural habitats but the budgie was given to me as a present and as a child you don’t tend to say no to presents. I have just thought of a funny story about one of the cats we had when I was a child, My mum went to put on her wellies (wellington boots) and couldn’t work out why the cat was hissing at her until she put her foot in and found that the cat had dropped a live mouse into the wellie my brothers , sister and I laughed about it for days as the look on my mums face was priceless!!
FreshEChelle on 09 Feb 2008 at 1:47 pm #
Julia, how poigant. Hugo and Maude sound like they’ve been faithful companions. I’m sure if they could tell you, they’d thank you for not terrorizing their golden years with an attention-grabbing, yapping little pup. Good choice to let them enjoy their twilight in peace. Wishing you strength and serenity as you cope with Maude’s illness. She and Hugo are lucky to be loved and cared for.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 3:21 pm #
Goodbye ladies and Goddess’ I have to go out now, so i will leave you all wish this last thought.
I once had a cat called Shadow. when he was 3 he went out one morning and never came back, I miss him but I know what happened to him. We have a nieghbour who HATES cats and trapped them, and took them to the RSPCA saying they were strays. he was removing collars and all. Most of my nisghbours (and myself) had gotten our cats from accidental litters and giveaways. As such No chips. So our cats were kept until readoption or put down, he stopped taking them when I got two cats and told him about replacing missing cats with double.
I like to think he was resettled and is living the good life with someone. But truth be Known… I dont know. He couldve had anything happen. yet I still think of him fondly, every ornament in my house reminds me of his demands. (feed me or the vase gets it)
My point is better to have loved a destructive Rascal than to have lived without a pet.
Malady on 09 Feb 2008 at 3:24 pm #
Royal Society for the Protection and Care of Animals.
krystal on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:00 pm #
When I was growing up, we always had a dog. I’ve always considered myself to be a dog person. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would live with a cat, even a really sweet one like I have. (Or that I would actually enjoy it.)
I have a cat that my brother and his friend rescued from their workplace. She was outside, covered in grease and oil, so they brought her home and cleaned her up. I was living with them at the time and she got really attached to me. When I moved out, I forgot my bath rug. The cat would drag this rug around the house and sleep on it and go to the door and just cry. They decided that I should take the cat, so I did.
I can’t imagine my life without her now. She follows me around and actually comes when I call her (usually. She is a cat after all) and is very cuddly most of the time. Cats have different personalities just like dogs. I think that if you find one that fits your personality, you’ll be fine.
Kay on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:10 pm #
Julia, hugs to you, Maude and Hugo. They are lucky to have you.
Senior dogs are so special. My dear sheltie, Angus, passed away in November.
I miss him terribly and know that it was his time to go. Our 18 year old tabby cat, Angel, died in September. It’s hard to remember when I didn’t have her. She was here before my kids.
We still have a 7 year old sheltie, Wynda, and an eight year old tabby, Sinsa. In November, we added a tabby kitten, Mi-In.
I’m more of a cat person than a dog person. Really, I was only person and an Angus person. the other dog is truly my DH’s.
No advice from me–go with your heart– and know I’ll be thinking of you and your pups.
Kay on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:11 pm #
That should say “only a cat person & an Angus person” it was hard to see through the misty eyes.
OV_099 on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:15 pm #
For the whole time I was a kid and to a bit older, I loved dogs — keep cats away from me, eww. Then oh, 11 years ago I got a cat. Ah. . . now, keep dogs away from me ewww, not cute anymore. LOL I’m so very much a cat person now.
Lois
Freedom Writer on 09 Feb 2008 at 4:44 pm #
Julia, I am sorry to hear that Maude is not doing so well. I hope that when her time comes it will be filled with peace and love.
Julia London on 09 Feb 2008 at 5:37 pm #
You guys are great. Maude’s only got a few days. I am pretty sure after today that I will never have another pet. Or child. Or husband. I am going to go live in a cave. :-(.
I appreciate all the words of support.
SandyO on 09 Feb 2008 at 6:18 pm #
My neice’s brittany spaniel (the sweetest dog on the earth) was recently attacked by a pit bull. She’s going to be all right (thank goodness), but while she was recuperating, my neice’s schipperke (sp) and two cats never left her side. So don’t let cats fool you, they have a caring side.
Julia, my thoughts are with you and Maude.
RachelG on 09 Feb 2008 at 6:29 pm #
I have two cats and three dogs. How do I manage? I vacuum a lot.
rachelg
Lisa H on 09 Feb 2008 at 6:37 pm #
Julia - your dogs are so beautiful. I am sorry to hear Maude is not well. I will pray for her and you!
Margaret Garland on 09 Feb 2008 at 7:28 pm #
Big warm hugs for you and Maude, Julia. My thoughts will be with you tonite and for the next few days. Just remember that Maude is unaware of her time running out. She just knows that she’s with her people where she belongs.
Margaret
Mia Rose on 09 Feb 2008 at 8:52 pm #
Oh Julia! I’m going to cry… the only good thing I can say is that you know you have at least have a few days to say goodbye. I’m sure she’ll be in all of our thoughts.
I grew up as a cat person because it was all my mom allowed but we got our first puppy when I was in 5th or 6th grade and I’ve been a dog person since.
*sigh* If I could, I’d live on a farm with tons of different animals, but since I don’t we’ve managed to stick to only having 3 dogs.
My old Rotty Tootsie and our 2 yellow labs, Hunter & Bailey.
Good luck with Maude Julia!
anneriailin on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:24 pm #
Julia, I’m so sorry to hear about your Maude. I’ll keep the both of you in my thoughts.
I am a definite dog person, but I can see the appeal of a cat.
You said husbands don’t count as pets, but what about kids?? I have two of those!! lol
–dorothy
doglady on 09 Feb 2008 at 9:58 pm #
Julia I just got home and read of Maude’s setback. I am so terribly sorry. Know that you and yours ( four and two legged) are in my thoughts and prayers. I too hope that she goes quietly at home surrounded by love.
I lost Glory last December 24th. She came thru the removal of her leg and chemo well. We got another six months out of that treatment. When the cancer came back in her lungs we decided to simply make her comfortable. She woke up Christmas Eve morning at @6 to go out. When we got back in the house she went back to bed (our bed!) and I joined her. I did not intend to get up until @8 so we (Glory, Frodo and Adelaide) could go to Nana’s (my Mom) for Christmas. Glory always slept with her head on my chest. I remember she kissed me before we went back to sleep. When the alarm went off at 8 I put my hand on her and I knew she was gone. She was in bed with her Mom, her family - Frodo, Adelaide and the cats and she just slipped away. Her headstone reads :
doglady on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:00 pm #
Glory’s headstone :
Know that no matter how deep my sleep
And not all the power of death
Can keep my spirit from being with you.
And her three most attentive nurses during her illness? My three cats.
Santa on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:25 pm #
I am a dog person. We just got our first dog in 2005. She is a white Boxer. My daughter named her Blizzard. She is the best puppy and loves her people, especially the little people. Every morning she watches them get on the bus and comes back in the house when they are safely on their way. She paces in the afternoon until they are all in the house. It’s a mutual love affair all around.
Would we ever get cats? I’m afraid the DH is highly allergic. There is discussion of a Beta fish joining the fold.
cail on 09 Feb 2008 at 10:44 pm #
doglady, your post made me tear up!
on a lighter note…
the biggest problem i currently have with cats has a lot to do with the crazy lady who owns the building next to mine. the 8 unit building is boarded up, yet she lives in the basement with something close to 8 - 10 cats. about 2 yrs ago there was a fire in the building (cats were closer to around 30-40 at the time) and the top two floors burned. the firemen said they had never seen anything quite as gross as the inside of that place.
i’ll tell you this… cats can smell pretty awful en masse.
Pesky on 10 Feb 2008 at 1:40 am #
I have two cats.
Diana, who rules the inside of the house and Miss Kitty who rules the outside.
Their favorite hobbies are sleeping and hating one another. Well actually hating is more Diana’s ballyhoo…Miss Kitty is just happy to have a home. Both were abandoned kitties that needed some lovin and care.
I’m a huge kitten to adult fan, but both of these were adults when I adopted them. If anyone is thinking about getting a cat, I advise an adult adoption. You know exactly what you’re getting, quirks and all, and the shelters are full of deserving animals that people forgot that loving means forever.
As far as cat vs. dog. I think lifestyle is pretty much the deciding factor. If you are used to arranging babysitters when you go out, taking them with you, lots of exercise, dogs are for you. If you can’t give that level of commitment, then cats might be a better choice.
Pesky on 10 Feb 2008 at 1:41 am #
I’m so sorry about Maude. The fur people come into our lives for such a short time, but they make that time so much better.
Nicole Jordan on 10 Feb 2008 at 10:53 am #
Oh, Julia, I am so very sorry about Maude. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Makes me cry just to think about it. I hope Maude’s last days are peaceful and that you get to say a loving goodbye to her.
Doglady, that poem made me cry, too. I have a beautiful one about horses that I can’t read without losing it.
Hugs, Julia, to you and Maude.
Julia London on 10 Feb 2008 at 4:48 pm #
thank you all so much for you kind thoughts and wishes for me and Hugo and Maude and Jack London.
Maudie-girl died today. I think my blog must have been a premonition. Emmiebee, she went at home and it was very peaceful.
Thanks again, everyone.
Gannon on 10 Feb 2008 at 7:14 pm #
Oh, Julia, I’m so sorry. I’m glad that Maude was at home, surrounded by all who loved her.
Hugs to all of you!
Freedom Writer on 10 Feb 2008 at 7:19 pm #
Julia, I am sorry to hear about Maude, at least she went peacefully. Hugs to both your two legged and four legged family.
Santa on 10 Feb 2008 at 10:21 pm #
I am so sorry for your loss, Julia. I posted before reading the thread and had no idea you were going through all this. My sister-friend just lost her dog, Samantha, to the ravages of old age. She rescued Sam as a pup and they’d been together for fifteen years. We cried together on the phone as she lives six hours from me. I know it will be strange to visit her and not have Sam come over to me and my family for some lovin’.
Maude was as blessed to have you as you were to have her.
SuzyQ on 11 Feb 2008 at 8:34 am #
Julia, I am so sorry on your loss. It’s very hard to lose a pet, as they truly are one of the family. Hugs to you all.
KariE on 11 Feb 2008 at 9:56 am #
I am so sorry for your loss, Julia.
I am a dog person, with 2 of my own that sit with me in my office every day. Nugget normally claims her spot under my desk right where my feet are supposed to go. Eli, on the other hand, he just sleeps where he lands. Both dogs are overy loyal to me and have to follow me everywhere. I go to the bathroom that is literally 10 feet away from my office, they have to follow. Lately they have been getting the idea that nothing will happen to me in that 10 feet and I can go alone.
So I thought I would get through this one without crying and I can’t. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
SnikyWhite on 11 Feb 2008 at 10:28 am #
Julia, I logged on this morning and wanted to check on your pup and pretty much lost it when I read your update. I am so sorry for your loss and am sending lots of hugs and warm thoughts your way. I’m sure her last days were filled with love, may the memories of the time you had together keep you smiling in the days ahead. ((((((hugs)))))))
Susan Flanders on 13 Feb 2008 at 8:38 am #
((((((((((((((((((((((((( HUGS Julia )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))