My Family

[Bowwowmeow]

Here is my animal family!


This is Fod. He is eight years old. He is a greyhound mix, and he likes to wear hats! He lives on a boat, so the sailor hat is a natural for him. ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/CopyofSailorBoy.jpg



This is Daisy. She is six years old. She is a pit bull mix. She has a few hats in her wardrobe, too, but doesn't like them as much as Fod.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/IMG_527.jpg

[Bowwowmeow]

And now the cats!


This is Patty, short for Cleopatra (aka The Queen). She is fourteen years old.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/IMG_0122.jpg


This is Carlisle (aka The Booty). He is eight years old.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/IMG_0006.jpg

[Bowwowmeow]

This is Pez (aka The Swedakopf). He lives on a boat, so he had to have a picture taken in his sailor hat. (Poor Pez. :( & :D)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/SailorPez.jpg


This is Seymour. He hasn't been with us long enough for an aka. He is about 7 months old here.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/Animals005.jpg

[SinnerCal]

Wow, Seymour has really grown up to be a beautiful cat. :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Thanks SinnerCal! He was trying to be especially charming in his latest photo. You should see him hogging the entire couch and keeping both Fod and Daisy off of it!

[Fauxmage]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/TotakekeBannana.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gifhttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/TotakekeBannana.gif

[SinnerCal]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/TotakekeBannana.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gif http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/cat.gifhttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Smilies/TotakekeBannana.gif
:) :) :) :) :) :)

[Phoenix]

Love your family album, BWM.

[Bowwowmeow]

Thank you Phoenix! :excited:

[Bowwowmeow]

Here are a couple of new pictures of Daisy and Pez all mooshed together. Daisy was squoze into the back of my computer chair, and I was holding Pez in my lap with one arm and photographing with the other. Oh the togetherness. . . :rolleyes:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/pez002.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/pez003.jpg

[Oracl]

Here are a couple of new pictures of Daisy and Pez all mooshed together. Daisy was squoze into the back of my computer chair, and I was holding Pez in my lap with one arm and photographing with the other. Oh the togetherness. . . :rolleyes:

Awwww! :) So cute. :agree: (Although I'm still trying to work out exactly how all three of you fitted into the computer chair! :confused: ;) :D )

[Bowwowmeow]

I'll take a picture of it when no one's in it. :D

[thevegantwins]

Awww, my heart is melting. What a beautiful family!

[Oracl]

Awww, my heart is melting. What a beautiful family!
My heart also melts whenever I look at the picture of your twins, TVT! :colors:

[Tiggerwoos]

Aww, they're soo cute. Love the way they're snuggled up together ... sweet!:)

[Bowwowmeow]

Thank you everyone! :hug:

[Seymour]

Bleh. Those pictures make me wanna hurl. Cuddling is for babies.

[Dexter]

^
hahahah
Seymour you little punk :p



BWM, they are all sweet and cute :)
thanx for sharing the pics with us

[Peas'nHominy]

How precious and adorable!!:D

[Bowwowmeow]

Thanks guys! :psing:

[Willow]

Awwww!! They're all precious! My favorite pics are of Pez with the sailor hat and of Daisy and Pez together :)

[xwitchymagicx]

Awwwwwww! :smallheart: :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Hehe! Thanks guys! :blinkwave:

[Gliondrach]

This is my darling Mandy. She came to live with us the day before my ninth birthday. She was with us for 16 years until she left us and took a bit of my heart with her.

[Gliondrach]

I had just come home from school and my father was in the house. I hadn't seen him since I was five. My mother was there, also. One of them must have told me to look inside a cardboard box that was in a corner. Inside was a tiny puppy. I took her outside but she was so small she couldn't stand. She just lay on the ground shivering. It was very early Spring and must have still been a bit chilly. I remember the smell of her puppy breath - a bit like slightly burnt toast, if I remember correctly. She whimpered occasionally for her mother but she soon settled in. My sister took me to London for a week not long after this to stay with some cousins. I couldn't wait to get back to see Mandy.

When I was 18 I gave up work for a time and lived off my savings and also became a bit of a professional gambler. This was so Mandy wouldn't be left alone in the house whilst we were at work. Then I took a job which involved shift work and working at weekends. So, there was always someone at home to keep Mandy company. I had intended to join the Army but my duty was at home. I couldn't abandon a friend. I say 'duty' but that is not the right word. Staying at home wasn't a chore or a sacrifice. I couldn't have left Mandy. Not for anything.

I will be eternally grateful to my father for bringing Mandy to us.

[Bowwowmeow]

That's a sweet story Martin, thanks for telling it. Mandy looks like a real cutie in that picture. :colors:

[Gliondrach]

She could be a terror sometimes. Especially when she was biting me.:D And she was very aggressive with any female dogs. Except Foxy, a greyhound, who lived with my best mate. We used to take the two beasts to the countryside or coast nearly every Sunday.

[Tiggerwoos]

Aww, she looked like such a sweetheart. You were both very lucky to have each other.

[Gliondrach]

Thanks, Tiggs.

[Gliondrach]

Here's another one of Mandy, taken at the same time. My brother took the photographs. We went to a local churchyard, which was the only bit of greenery within half a mile or more.

[Oracl]

Mandy does look like a sweetie, Gliondrach. :agree: Thanks for those pics. :colors:

[Gliondrach]

Yes, she was. I look forward to seeing her again. She was mainly Border Terrier but with a longer snout and longer legs. Strange, really, because her mother, Flossy, was black and didn't look anything like her.

[Bowwowmeow]

This is Joe. He is a blue eyed deaf cat with the loudest meow in my brother's house! He is one of six cats my brother brought home from the shelter/hospital he used to work at.

Amelia knows how to say "Hi Joe!", so I thought I would share his picture. She can also say "Hi Phil!" to another of her kitty brothers. She's still got four more names to learn to say hi to.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/CopyofJoe.jpg

[Oracl]

Joe has a lot of hair! :)

[Gliondrach]

He does, indeed. And he's snowy white. His blue eyes must look very striking against the white.

[Bowwowmeow]

Kiki's folks gave me enough money for a Christmas present that I was able to get a new camera I've been wanting for a while. Its a Nikon D80 DSLR, with a 18-135mm zoom lens. It just arrived, so I took a couple of pictures to try it out.

Daisy

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/Daisy.jpg


and Seymour

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/lauralb/Animals/Seymour.jpg

[Tails4wagging]

Lovely photos.BWM is Daisy a staffy cross?.

[my3labs]

Daisy and Seymour are so beautiful!!!

[Oracl]

Your new camera takes wonderful photos! :colors:

[Bowwowmeow]

Thanks everyone! :nanakiss:

Tails, Daisy is probably 100% American Pit Bull Terrier, which is the same family as the staffy, but much larger. She is over 60 pounds. My papers say she is a boxer mix. That's to protect us in case breed specific legislation, or anti-pit bull laws, get adopted in our area. But I'm pretty sure she is all APBT.

Oracl, I haven't figured out how to optimize the settings on the camera yet, but it does take very nice pictures already. I will be visiting my niece this afternoon, and will try to take some nice pictures of her too. If she will hold still!

[Tails4wagging]

Due to a knee jerk reaction by our government that breed is banned here in the UK after a child was attacked some years ago. Another case of bad ownership not the poor dogs fault..:no:

[Gliondrach]

Nice pics. Seymour is looking directly at the camera. As if he's sitting for a portrait.

[thevegantwins]

I want to kiss and hug both of them, BWM. Absolutely gorgeous and healthy furfamily! :nanakiss:

[Bowwowmeow]

Nice pics. Seymour is looking directly at the camera. As if he's sitting for a portrait.
He was watching me take pictures of Daisy, and he wanted his turn too.

I want to kiss and hug both of them, BWM. Absolutely gorgeous and healthy furfamily! :nanakiss:
Hehe! I'll do it for you.

[paul]

Loverly photos, they are both very photogenic.

[Phoenix]

They are beautiful, BWM.

[thevegantwins]

Sarah was just having a crying tantrum about something or other and looking at Daisy and Seymour's photo shut her up. :yea:

[my3labs]

Sarah was just having a crying tantrum about something or other and looking at Daisy and Seymour's photo shut her up. :yea:
That's sweet! The love that children have for animals should carry over to adulthood. I'm sure Ben & Sarah will keep that love for all creatures since they're being raised as compassionate people.

[Bowwowmeow]

Well Daisy and Rufus had their first face to face meeting inside the house. I put Rufus behind a dog gate in the hall, and let Daisy in from the front porch. She had her cage muzzle on of course. She was calmer than I would have expected, though my nerves are still rattled, and I may have to go lie down!

Daisy has never caused a serious injury, but she has been in fights, and it is a nightmare til I can get her to let go. She makes such horrid sounds, as only pitbulls seem able to make,and the other dogs are so frightened by it they begin to scream, which makes you think they are being disemboweled, til you get them apart, and see that often all she has had a hold of was fur. She has nicked ears before though. And Rufus doesn't have much hair to get hold of. I don't want him traumatized, much less hurt, and I don't need the trauma myself!

My goodness, what an effort it is to hold back fear, which you must do, or the dogs will sense it. I'm almost dizzy with it now that Rufus is back outside.

Poor Rufus is complaining mightily too. He wants back in!

Daisy is nice and calm at least. :p

[Bowwowmeow]

Rufus is doing really well by the way. He is sitting when he wakes up, before he gets off his bed, and I have seen him put his bad hind leg out first, and land on that foot, when getting out of bed, instead of putting all his weight on the good leg.

I'm so glad I have waited to decide what to do. His muscle is coming back now, I can tell even by looking at his leg that it is filling in. As long as he is not crying out in pain, and he hasn't, not once, since his x-rays, I want to let his condition improve, and then I think I am going to ignore all these local vets and take him to see someone in the Bay Area. Bloodhound Rescue totally ignored my request for their mailing address, which I find beyond rude, and the x-ray is not a very good one, according to some people I have shown it to.

He does need looking at though. It looks very much to me as though there is more bone sticking out on his bad side near the hip socket than on his good side. It could just look bad because he is still not built up on that side, but it's hard to tell.

At least now I feel confident that if the tip of his femur needs to be removed, he will be able to grow scar tissue and strengthen his muscles sufficiently to be able to use that leg.

[Gliondrach]

I'm glad Rufus' condition is improving. And you were wise to wait.

How did Daisy and Rufus react? And what did Seymour think of the meeting?

[Bowwowmeow]

Seymour just sat on a chair and watched from a distance. Rufus has been in here before, and they have met, but Daisy was out on the front porch.

Which is totally enclosed.

Daisy whined a lot, and so did Rufus. He wanted to play, but did understand from Daisy's attitude it wouldn't be welcome, so he was a bit confused. He decided to lie down in the hall for a bit.

I was pleased with the look in Daisy's eyes. It wasn't hostile like it is when she sees a human stranger, so that was a good sign. Her tail was wagging, but it was low-slung, slow wagging, also an encouraging sign. Her hackles weren't up either, and she made lots of eye contact with me, as if looking for cues on how to behave. She never used to be like that when aroused by a strange dog. It was as if I didn't even exist for her.

I just don't want her barreling into him right off the bat, which is the reason for the dog gate. She cold still hurt him if she charged him, even with her muzzle on. Putting either of them on a leash would be a bad idea as well, even though it would be easier to control them with one.

[Gliondrach]

Have you tried stroking Daisy with one hand then stroking Rufus with the other? To show Daisy Rufus is a friend and then to let her smell your hand after stroking Rufus?

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh yes I did plenty of that. I keep telling her he is her brother, and we need to love him, because he has had a hard life.

I think it is helping that she has known he's been here for a long time now. They see each other through the patio door, which is a french door, and has windows all the way to the bottom, and she smells him on my every time I've been out to see him. She doesn't get as carried away as she did at first.

Slow steps.

Everyone got "wee-wee" snacks after too, for being good dogs. :p

That's what I call the dog cookies I give her when she's been a good dog outside, and done her wee-wee, so she gets really excited when I say "Wee-wee snack???"

[gabbles]

I think Gliondrach gets wee-wee snacks when he uses the toilet properly. :whistle:

I hope Rufus and Daisy become good friends.

[Bowwowmeow]

Whatever works. :p

And thank you gabbles. I do too.

[Gliondrach]

I think Gliondrach gets wee-wee snacks when he uses the toilet properly. :whistle:



I used to get my nose rubbed in it when I made a mess on the floor.

[nagev]

That sounds like some positive news with your family. :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Yes it is, thanks. Session 2 went well today too, though I felt like I needed to lie down again after. :o

[Bowwowmeow]

Today I let Daisy and Rufus interact without the dog gate. Now that's over I feel like I am going to faint! Nothing bad happened, but Daisy is an omega dog. Therefore, she gets really pushy and humpy and tries to get all dominant before the other dog realizes she is not an alpha type.

True alpha dogs never have to assert their dominance. Other dogs just know.

She got just a little gruff with him while they were in the hall. She pokes and butts him with the muzzle, which can't feel too good to Rufus. She finally poked him a little too hard and he jumped and bayed, but it didn't set Daisy off, thank goodness. I let him back outside after that. He's not at all happy about being outside of course. We have to take it slowly though. Daisy was pretty good. Her eyes never glazed over like they used to, and she did listen to me, though only half as attentively as usual.

:crossfingers:

[Gliondrach]

That's good. Rufus can be a proper part of the family now. Does Seymour get on with him or have they not been properly introduced yet?

[Bowwowmeow]

Seymour and Rufus have met several times. As long as Rufus isn't too excited Seymour isn't nervous, but he does dart away if things get too rowdy. He does the same with Daisy though. Rufus hasn't tried to hurt him or chase him, which is good.

[Gliondrach]

Good.

[Bowwowmeow]

Rufus is inside, and Daisy is muzzle free. No problems yet.
*knocks on wood*
:crossfingers: :crossfingers: :crossfingers:

[Bowwowmeow]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TOg_gBZniKI/AAAAAAAAB4g/KjZ1E83KMds/s512/DSC_0188.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TOg_gpZCDCI/AAAAAAAAB4k/Gu-cSJmCSYg/s512/DSC_0189.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TOg_g0BNKKI/AAAAAAAAB4o/ODWOl-LKYzo/DSC_0190.JPG


They are both snoring peacefully now. I need a nap too!

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh and look at the belly on Rufus in that last photo! He is lying on his bad leg too. And someone gave him obedience training. They were in the kitchen getting a little rowdy so I gave Daisy the standard arm gesture for sitting, and Rufus knew what it was and sat before Daisy did. I didn't think he was capable of sitting without pain, so I never tried to see if he could.

[Gliondrach]

It's good to see them getting on so well together. And that Rufus doesn't look skinny. Daisy looks a bit puzzled in the first picture.

[Bowwowmeow]

She hates the camera. :p

[Bowwowmeow]

They've got three dog beds from which to choose, and this is the smallest. Go figure. :p

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TPqT_H6G6YI/AAAAAAAAB8k/S5Kz7Bw5d0E/s512/Rufus%20and%20Daisy.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TPqT_tpOmFI/AAAAAAAAB8s/e7OiRVJRQaQ/s640/Rufus%20and%20Daisy%201.JPG


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TPqT_CWcO_I/AAAAAAAAB8o/SXMnIzP7OPI/s640/Rufus.JPG


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_M8aAcoQrumc/TPqVBu40H_I/AAAAAAAAB84/wvvvNHvFHog/s640/Rufus%201.JPG

[Gliondrach]

:D Those are great pictures. And so nice to see them so close and comfortable with each other. You've done a good job there.

[nagev]

That's great that they seem to be getting along in those pictures so well! :)

[Bowwowmeow]

Thank you! I don't feel like it is due to effort on my part though. For many years now, with all sorts of animals, there has just seemed to have been some unspoken imperative in my household that everyone love one another. It's hard to explain. It's the same in my brother's house, with all of the cats he has taken in, and my nieces too. Neither has ever been hurt by any of the kitties. Make me all the more angry at the people I have known who have dumped their animals when they give birth to children, for fear of the animals hurting the changelings, whoops I mean children.

I hadn't counted on it to work with Rufus and Daisy, but whatever this atmosphere of harmony has been, it's still in action. Rufus has been a little too interested in Seymour, and chases after him if he runs away, but last night, and then again this morning, Rufus got up on Daisy's bed, which is right next to mine, while Daisy and Seymour were on my bed with me, and Seymour came over and rubbed his cheeks on Rufus' face, and licked his ear, and Rufus was very good and gentle. Daisy was right next to me, by my shoulder, Seymour was on my chest, and Rufus had his front half resting on the other side of me, on the bed, so this was all basically taking place right in front of my face. :p

[Gliondrach]

the changelings, whoops I mean children. :D

All the family members are bonding.