... that dog-lovers don't respond well when they coo over my Coton de Tulear and I ask them if they'd like to share custody of him.

I am currently pet free. My papillion was very cat like for a dog. I miss that little guy.

He was my "first born". I felt like he was my baby till my kids came along. Always treated him like a child. My parents called him their granddog & when we went away they babysat him.

sigh

I have 2 elderly ( 16 and 18) cats, and one 9 yr old dog ( part chow and part who knows). They are my babies - but the cats are having litter box problems - they have arthritis and have trouble squatting - and refuse to use an enclosed box. One would stick his head in and do his stuff outside the box....

Funny - but problematic.

Cats rarely come to you unless hungry or THEY want attention. But they are good back, foot and belly warmers in the winter while napping or sleeping.

The dog is a lady that crosses her paws when she lays down!

I love my babies, but sometimes I wish i was totally unencumbered. My kids are gone... but the animals are all disgustingly healthy.

Disgustingly healthy! You made me laugh with that one Susan. For 2 days last Sept I had doggy withdrawal & considered getting one. The reality hit me and I didn't want to be tied down. My kids occassionally will ask. Helloooooooo! They ignored the do when he was alive. Yeah, right, they'll help take care of new one.

I have learned that sometimes choosing a pet is the only time we get to choose our own relatives.

i have learned when encountering a strange dog that if i say good girl/boy in soft encouraging tones they might stop barking at me.

OH my gosh that was so funny! I have a cat that is 15 years old and he has really turned into an outside cat because he is just too cranky and fussy to put up with most things in the house. He acts neurotic most of the time and just cant seem to be comfortable in the house anymore. He's outside most of the time except the cold winter months of course, and loves coming in to eat and check things out and back out he goes. He loves to lay in the grass and keep eye on the place. His fur is all scraggly and he's a rack of bones. His attitude though is very pronounced. I do have another cat now that I can enjoy but even she has attitude.It seems everyone has attitude around my house. So.. cats are unique for sure. Lots of laughs and lots of attitude.