Simply Imperfect Pets
Published February 22, 2010
I am a crazy, pet magnet. Really. Every pet that has entered my life has been, well, a bit odd.
Like my sister's goldfish, Gibraltar. She won him at a fair when I was in 2nd grade. He died when I graduated college! My mom swore the day he was brought home he would end up flushed in about a week. But, Gibraltar saw us grow up, sent us on our first dates, saw us off to prom, moved us to college. He was a real part of the family. Our theory on his long life was the microwave. His bowl was directly next to it, so maybe the radiation was some kind of magic elixir? Sure, he lost scales and looked like he was growing a third eye, (I'm sure botox will have the same effect, eventually), but he was alive and swimmin'.
I also had a blue bird named Bluey. Ok, so I wasn't the most creative child. Maybe I ate too much glue? But, Bluey apparently was out of Hitchcock's "The Birds". He used to torment and fight with my sister's bird. And when he got loose in the house, forget about it-- it took a couple of hours, and bites, to get him back in his cage.
And as I've aged I've still managed to somehow get attached to slightly imperfect pets. Here are the profiles of my current lovable wackadoos:
Sadie (a.k.a. Senorita Poopie Pants): 5-year-old, plus-size, chocolate lab, with an affinity for bagels and hatred for squirrels and lettuce. Crazy Traits: Barking until her eyes are blood shot, stealing napkins and napkin rings, snoring, and scratching and sniffing her ears.
Bianca (a.k.a. Yanca Bear): 4-year-old Wheaten Terror (I mean, Terrier) with circus-esque talents, and the ability to lick you to the point that you feel like you showered (and yet you feel dirtier). Crazy Traits: Taking flying leaps like a Cirque du Soleil performer, licking all furniture, hiding from the wind, and giving you dirty looks when you sneeze.
Ralph (a.k.a. Ralphie): 3 or 4-year-old Orange Tabby adopted from the PSPCA, loves wearing a tie for guests, cuddling with his Teddy Bear, and playing fetch. Crazy Traits: Sharpening his claws on the mattress, chasing me through the condo, and biting me when he gets that crazy look in his eye
And me? I'm just your typical animal lover who just can't have enough fur kids. But, don't worry. I know how many pets I can and can't handle. Ok, it's my landlord who told me how many pets I can handle. So, to fill the void, I volunteer my time on weekends at a local animal shelter. I absolutely recommend volunteering to everyone.
I am looking forward to sharing and swapping stories about our pets and their shenanigans and the many adoption stories I come across each week.
And make me feel better, will ya? I opened up about my nutty bunch. Do your pets have some crazy tendencies?
I hope they do--because that's what makes them all the more lovable.
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Comments (6)
I love people who love pets and other living things. Imagine what living would be like without them! Great pets, Tamara.
I DON'T want to imagine what living would be like without them :)
AAWWWW I wish I could meet Splinter and Chewy!! And you're very smart for cutting that hole in your couch. Job well done :)
I have definitely had some crazy pets too! But, I think crazy pets are the most fun! I actually had 2 adorable ferrets named Splinter and Chewy (Splinter because he looked like the character from Ninja Turtles and Chewy after the Star Wars character---the name also fit because Chewy loved to bite and eat everything!)
I think that, unfortunately, ferrets get a bad reputation....sure they make deposits in any corner of the house and they do kinda give off an odd perfume, but once you spend some time with them, they are adorable! You can actually teach ferrets some tricks (I taught mine how to roll over for a treat) and they love to run and play hide-and-seek with you around the house. They do love to get into mischief though....Splinter loved his hide-and-seek game, but his favorite place to hide was INSIDE the couch. I would literally have to pick up the couch and tilt it to one side so that he could slide out (of a hole that I cut in the bottom for "tricks" such as this). He was very clever. And Chewy used to love biting your ankles and feet. Watch out if you were ever standing and washing dishes....he would creep up quietly beside you and then attack!
These crazy habits made them all the more lovable though and gave them personality. I love crazy pets!
Regina!!! Sounds like you have a full house too! :) It's hilarious to see cats play fetch. What is your cat's favorite toy to chase?
Lola sounds adorable and you obviously have a unique bond.
And Quincy...Man, I would love to meet him!! Just make sure all of your breakables are put away...I'm sure things have broken in the past :)
Thanks for commenting (and thanks for making me feel like there are other "imperfect" (but perfect) pets out there).
Annabelle fetches anything round. My hair scrunchys are her favorite. As my vet says my animals are unique but perfect to me! Entertaining as well lol
OK My husband and I have decided that no animal that lives with us is normal. All our rescued and all are crazy.
Annabelle the cat is 13. She is the senior member. She comes when you whistle and she fetches. She also drools when she purrs. Always has. You pet her and you end up with a puddle on your lap.
And then there is Lola. Poor Lola a chiweenie mix. She looks like a long haired chi but she has legs of a dachshund. So she is REALLY short. SHe also is really chubby, She is also really cute. She has a foot fetish. Not everybodies feet, just mine. I could be getting stabbed in the chest and she will not do a thing but touch my feet and she turns into a wild animal. She will eat you.
And last but not least our newest little guy. Quincy. We had to have the boy DNA tested to see what breed he is. Not even the vet had an idea. He is a Min Pin/dachshund mix. Long legs on a long body and he reminded me of Jack Klugman hense the name Quincy. Quincy needs a helmet. He runs into things. We thought maybe he was blind, no he just doesn't watch where he is going. Quincy has a friend a stray cat named Chester. He has 6 toes. They sit with each other and Quincy gets a bath. They play and Chester bangs on the door every morning at 7am to see if Quincy can come out. So I now have a new cat. So yes I have some weird animals and I can feel for you!