We currently have two cats who are allowing us to live with them.  Above is Sassy, who is a true rescue cat.  We were out for a drive about 11 years ago and happened to drive thru a local nature park.  While we were entering the park, my wife spotted something hopping along in the tall grass.  I jumped out of the car to investigate and wound up capturing a kitten that was about 6-8 weeks old, severely undernourished, and infested with fleas and other parasites.  We couldn't leave her because she wouldn't survive much longer.  It was Sunday, so the local humane society was closed.  So, of course we had to take her home.  I knew as soon as we made that decision that she would be a permanent addition.  She went to the vet, got treated and de-bugged, and was nursed back to health on Gerber's jars of meat baby food.  Unfortunately, her rough start stunted her growth, so she perpetually looks like a 6 month old kitten, and she's skittish, but she sits on us and lets her pet her sometimes.



Then there's Sasha, so named because she looks like a Russian blue, and Sasha sounds kind of Russian.  She was a rescue cat in the more traditional sense, having come from the humane society.  She's much younger than Sassy, and had a litter of kittens at the humane society that were adopted out.  So when she first met Sassy, she started grooming her like she was her kitten (apparently confused by Sassy's size).  Sassy put a stop to that pretty quickly.  She enjoys chasing Sassy, sitting on shoulders, and has an oral fixation that leads to her chewing on us when she gets too into the petting.

In the past few years we've lost 3 others, two cats and a dog, but I haven't posted them because it seemed a bit depressing.

Have I mentioned how much I love Shih-Tzus (based on my own experiences with my Casey from 7/88-12/04)? If not, or even if so ... I love Shih-Tzus.

In fact, there was a Canadian surf-punk band called I Love My Shih-Tzu whose CD I paid for but never received, back in the late '90s. Just now realized that.

Dammit.

I know everyone thinks their dog is smart, but this breed really astonishes me sometimes. I mean, she doesn't do my taxes or anything, but seems to correctly interpret an impressive variety of words and phrases. It may not be all that unusual, but she's by far the smartest dog I've ever had. Great temperament. Playful and energetic. She's very vocal as well, which I've been told is uncommon. Added bonus: no shedding.

I'm building an army. And no one will be able to stop. Do you hear? No One!!!!!

Yep. That's the same food we give ours. No eye problems. . .yet. Something to be aware of, I guess. Sounds like you did all you could to ensure the health and happiness of your pets. That's commendable. Thanks for sharing.

My next dog will be a poodle.
Probably a standard poodle.

I have a customer who has a poodle, and she is constantly doing these creative dye jobs on her dog.
Right now, he's sporting a red mohawk.