ghostgotcha Loc: The Florida swamps

I read a post on another board, made by a friend. It made me chuckle and the paradox of it causes this post.

You say you have a pet dog or cat who hangs around your feet and causes you to offer affection in return. Including providing the pet with free food, housing and health care?

If so, do you also realize you have a socialist animal sponging off of you and if you are a real American, then what the heck?

Ok, ok, Maybe we can save your honor. Does that pet earn it's keep by doing something like guarding your home while you are asleep? Or is it just one of those yappy little mutts who are ignored because of all that perpetual noise. Do you have one of those fearsome attack cats, like the one who took on the dog who attacked the little boy?

Do you hunt and use our dog to chase down game, or retrieve a dropped game bird? Maybe you just enjoy the sound of beagles on the trail of Bugs bunny?

So how about it. Is your pet just shedding hair on your favorite chair, or is it serving you, not the other way around.

Inquiring minds and all that.....;

Brian Devon

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Our Labrador "earns its keep" with its affection and companionship....and periodically barking at strangers (who don't know that there is no menace behind her bark).

The cat also earns its keep through affection and companionship.

Neither animal has ever brought us something you would consider food unless you are into eating dismembered mice and sparrows or are a fan of eating moles and gopher heads. Obviously those items were from the cat. The dog doesn't have a clue as to how a living being secures food (other than waiting by its dish for the opposable thumb beings to open a can).

We picked them. They didn't pick us. They don't "owe" us anything.

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

"Lord, help me to become the man my dog thinks I am!"

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I have a cat, big loving and gentle. I lived in Arizona, and in this place of no rain and lots of dust and rocks, grow scorpions. One night I was laying on the sofa, with the history channel going on about tombs or something, my cat jumps up on my chest. He weights close to 22 pounds. I stroked his fur, and put him on the floor as I grabbed my chest waiting for my heart to restart. The cat jumps up again and this time he is loudly protesting. So, I stroked his fur and tried to put him on the floor, but he would not go. So, being the kind of person I am, asked him what was the matter and he responded with a howl. So, I jump up to see if he was hurt. As I got up, within 14 inches of my head was the brown scorpion, . I did not know what to do, so I went to the closet and grabbed the dust buster.....good by scorpion, right. Well he went into the dust buster, and as I emptied the cup in the trash....that scorpion was very pissed off!

I always thought that my cat was a mooch, great for lowering my BP, and someone I could talk to without him judging my intelligence. Now I see him as a friend that lowers my BP, someone I can talk to, and now him as a friend.

rjoeholl

I have rescue cats and they repay me every day with the most precious commodity there is.......laughter.

bahmer

I don't have any animals now been when I was younger we had German Shorthaired Pointers as I loved pheasant hunting and these dogs were phenomenal at both pointing out pheasants on the set as well as retrieving them after they were shot.

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Funny you should ask. My dog has recently been sentenced to 3 weeks in a box due to a spinal injury. He is an Australian Kelpie. He stays on patrol constantly around here. Him and I went to classes with a trainer for about 6 mos. every monday evening.
You can shake my hand, pat me on the shoulder, or hug me; but if you try to be agressive at all, he will take you down. Same for my wife. He is the sweetest, kindest, smartest, most fun loving dog I have ever had. I would trust him with, or around anyone. Have for years. When my grandson was a toddler, Gus would babysit him outside, taking away everything the kid picked up. :lol: :lol:
Now my wife's nuerotic, yapping, anal Corgi....different story. Grocery swilling, obnoxious, d-bag. Just my opinion.
Glad you didn't ask about horses. I have one of those too. I like him, but he is a consumer. Mrs. B. claims that he prefers grape jelly on his peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. How the hell could she possibly know that? You come ask her if you want to know. I just roll with it!!

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Are those brown ones the bad ones? We have the clear looking ones here. I have been stung twice with no ill effects other than a zap of pain and the whole idea of that nasty bug being on me.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Your dog is the most underpaid employee you have. He guards your house,protecting it and you from burglars and horrible invaders like stray butterflies.
He does the greatest prewash of your dishes before they go into the dishwasher.
He is a terrific bed warmer, so you can snuggle into a nice warm bed even in August.
The only reason he asks to go out for walks so often is he has looked at your girth and knows you need much more exercise.
When you are sad or lonely he looks at you with those adoring eyes and you realize you are loved.
When you need someone to talk to he is always there, and much cheaper than a psychiatrist.
If you need a laugh he is ready to entertain you with a whole field of antics.
and all you have to do is feed and hug him, that's all he asks.
NOW GIVE HIM AN EXTRA MILKBONE

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

The brown bark scorpions are the ones are the ones that leave a lasting impression! The can climb walls, fit through cracks that only a single sheet of paper fits, and when their business end is up they will go after you. Interesting things, but I am glad I left them in AZ.

I hope you puppy is better!!!!

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Lol!! Yes he is getting better!! ThankGod and a good vet!! He h**es being penned up, but that is his lot in life for now??
I h**e scorpions! I don't care what color they are! I h**e these even more! And I don'care how tight your house is, they can find a way!

Brian Devon

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Great post. One more. What other being gives you a welcome like a dog! What human has the enthusiasm for you that your dog does!!!!!

Even in the best of marriages it is rare that a spouse will have the eagerness to see you as your dog.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

What the heck is that? Millipede? Centipede? Wh**ever it is, it sure is ugly! And these live where?

I sure am glad your puppy is better. I can sympathize with you, just recently my cat had to have major surgery and he is still not himself. He is so spoiled, now he thinks that I need to sit and feed him, using a baby spoon, all his food. I created a monster!! I will not tell you the other chore he has me doing





:D :D

archie bunker Loc: Texas

Sorry for not responding last night. I had a phone call. This A.M. early I had to get up and go do that awful thing that a few of us still do to pay the bills.
It is a giant centipede!! We have them here in Texas. I have k**led some at least 6" long!! They are very toxic if they bite you.
I have only seen 1 this year; and it was in the bathroom with Mrs. B. at about 3:00 A.M. Do you not remember hearing a faint, blood curdling scream at about that time in mid-July? I figured the whole world heard it!! Took me a week to replace all the shattered windows here!! :lol:
Gus is even better today. I'm glad the medicine zonks him out some. He feels better and wants to get out, and about really bad!! He is in the home hospital though, and can't.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

So that was who was screaming at about 2 AM my time. That is one ugly worm!!!!

When I was in AZ, Boot (my cat) and I did a nightly Black Light search in every room after he found the one looking at me with a knife and fork, wondering which way to attack his very large meal. Scorpions glow under black light. Indeed, so do things left my other animals. I have never cleaned house so often as when I was in AZ!




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