I used to wax longingly about owning a pure-breed rescue - all breeds - but not letting anyone adopt the dogs until AFTER they took a class on the specific breed they wanted and passed a written and interactive test.

Lucy, who is apparently part Australian shepherd, was a total herder when she was a puppy. Nipping at your heels, trying to get everyone together in one spot. It was pretty funny.

Now she's sort of a big lump, but she is twelve, so. Still a big barker when there's something Horrifying and Dangerous outside the house ... like a six-year-old kid riding a bike. ::rolls eyes::

Still a big barker when there's something Horrifying and Dangerous outside the house ... like a six-year-old kid riding a bike.

That's our Oliver. Someone down the street breathes heavily and he freaks the hell out. The barking is the only Beagle thing about him. He hates being outside, is lazy as all get-out, and looks at my parent's rabbit as a long eared cat meant to be snuggled with and licked.

I we sometimes joke about getting him a couple of sheep.

Excellent idea, but a cheaper and even more efficient option is a backpack. I'm a huge proponent of the doggy backpack. Throw in a couple of small water bottles, or some rice/bean packages and hit the street.

I've never met a dog who didn't straighten up like they were relieved to finally have a job they understood. Plus, carrying their own supplies is convenient and imcreases the energy expenditure per step by a lot.

Don't turn your dog into a Burro, of course, a little weight equals a lot of benefit.

Tep, I'll go find the email and resend it.

Seriously. Who expects ANY pet to be "self-maintaining"?

Cat owners.

Seriously, that's why I don't have a dog. Dogs are... needy. Cats can be, but generally, not 24/7, and they like their space.

Cats can be, but generally, not 24/7, and they like their space

15-20 minutes of "My human, my reason for existing, hold me, touch me, let me gaze into your eyes!" per day, then they're pretty "Yo, dude" from across the room the rest of the time.

Ozymandias (mini dachshund) barks some, but mostly he grumbles. He grumbles at people being in front of their own houses, at us if he's nearby and we move, at the cats for existing. He's a cranky little man.

15-20 minutes of "My human, my reason for existing, hold me, touch me, let me gaze into your eyes!" per day, then they're pretty "Yo, dude" from across the room the rest of the time.

I've dated men like this.

not letting anyone adopt the dogs until AFTER they took a class on the specific breed they wanted and passed a written and interactive test.

If only.

I get pretty shirty with people who winge about how 'hard' it is to adopt a pet. Dude. Living creature. I don't need you to indulge your dog or coddle your cat but I really do want to know that you are aware of what it takes to keep a breathing creature alive.

I love the part of the Washington Humane Society app that asks people how much they think it costs per year to keep an animal healthy. Clue: The answer is not $50.

Hey, all, quick question...

If you had a character in a play that is an Elvis-type, and you wanted to give him a suitable name that is not Elvis, what would you call him? Cheezy or silly are okay!