by Donna MacMeans
The bandits have been celebrating the many traditions and facets of Christmas for the last two weeks, but I don't want to forget our pets and their role in making the holidays memorable. Even tonight my family was reminicing about past Christmases, and a discussion ensued about our cat's annual attack on the train set/Christmas village that my dad set up each year in the basement. She favored a sneak attack on the covered wagon car as it whizzed by on the track, patiently waiting for a well-timed swat.
Have you noticed all the video clips of animals and Christmas? (Yay technology!) Everything from singing animals to a clip on how to wrap a cat (which I don't recommend)
We've always had pets involved in our Christmas celebrations. My longtime canine friend passed a few years ago, but my son brings over his dog at Christmas. She's an American Bulldog. Not the brightest of the species, but very loving. I slipped a present under the tree for my son and placed a name tag on it that it's from his dog. It's a coffee mug that says "Everything tastes better with dog hair." LOL
Time for another clip.
The baby goats were always my favorite animals in the petting zoo. They're so...exuberant.
I was looking for a clip on birds dancing to Christmas carols, but the ones I found were...boring. I like to remember the birds at this time of year as finding food can be difficult for the cardinals and juno birds that stick around through the cold winter. Don't forget to hang a suet-seed ornament for them outside if you can.
So the reason I'm talking about pets - besides the fact that the videos are so cute - is that my husband has agreed that it's time to consider a new pet. We have a beta fighting fish and we used to have Killer the snail but fish are a bit on the passive side - not the same thing as a dog, you know? (Besides Killer passed away a month ago. I think the tablet my daughter added to the water for the health of the fish did in the poor snail. Just a reminder of the delicate balance of the eco system.)
So help me out. I'll probably be looking for a dog at the shelter once the weather improves. Any suggestions on a breed? My son is allergic to cats - but aren't there cats that don't have the dander that trigger the allergies? What kind are those? Tell me your animal Christmas stories. Toppled trees? Stolen cookies? Any neat ways to make sure the animals get to celebrate along with us? Don't forget - a spectacular prize goes to one lucky commentor. (see details below)
Now this isn't a Christmas video, but if you haven't watched it yet, you're in for a laugh.
Merry Christmas!
It's FINALLY here! The Romance Bandits 12 Days of Christmas Booty. Every day between now and Christmas, one lucky commenter per day will win a daily prize and on some days, additional goodies from that day's blogging Bandita or guest. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we'll give away more booty including autographed books, GR mugs and much more! Come join us! Tell your friends! Let's make the Season BRIGHT!
101 comments:
Me?
Hi Donna,
I never had pets growing up, but I have noticed that I occasionally get red eyes and a runny nose when I'm in the company of cats. Not sure which breeds are better for allergic people. Maybe the hairless ones like the one is the Austin Powers movies. I did read that the Obamas got a Portuguese Water dog because one of their girls has allergies and this breed doesn't shed much.
Ugh the poor kitty at the top there doesn't look too happy in his Santa costume!!!
When my oldest daughter was little we had some lovely little decorations on our Christmas tree. They were these beautifully wrapped 'fake' presents....well miss 2 decided that they ALL needed to be unwrapped and so preceded to lovingly destroy about a dozen of the decorations!!
Hey Congrats Jane! The GR is winging your way. We've dressed him in a santa suit just for the holidays.
I think Christy has a cat that doesn't produce the dander that triggers allergies. Crossing fingers that she can tell me the breed.
I didn't know that about Portuguese Water dogs. No one is allergic to dogs - but I value the information that they don't shed. That's one of the downsides of pets, but a small downside considering all the love they bring to the family.
Cath - That's funny! I wonder what it is about a wrapped gift that inspires them to investigate?
When we were first married and couldn't afford store bought ornaments, I used to bake gingerbread cookies and hang them on the tree. It was a lot of work, but the tree looked great and the room smelled fabulous. However, the next day, the only thing on the tree were the little ribbon holders. All the cookies at dog height and below were gone - and we had a sizeable dog (a little more wide after that incident). From then on, the gingerbread went on a wreath that we could hang high out of dog reach.
but aren't there cats that don't have the dander that trigger the allergies?
Yes there are. Genetically engineered cats...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6343637/ns/health-pet_health/
honestly i swear by pugs or poms as far as breeds but if ur just going for a rescue dog id say a small dog specially witha child with pet allergies
i really dont have any pet stories around theholidays one year my dadgot me a bird for christmas but wasnt a good out come but really
I had an awesome rescue dog named Wynxx he knew how to shake we got him after my cousins friend saved them when someone calously threw him and his siblings ina creek to find for them selves he was a delight i hadto give him up when i movedto aplace where ic ouldnt have dogs but he was an awesoem dog dont regret the time i had with him
Well done Jane have fun with him
Donna
Loved the clips I agree that pets are so special we only have one dog left now Brandy and there is always a little something under the tree for her usually biscuits LOL.
As for suggestions most of our dogs have been what we call bitzers or heinz variety a bit of everything LOl but they have always been loving and had their own personalities we show them lots of love and they give back in return.
Have fun choosing one
Helen
My animals are my babies! In fact, this is my first Christmas owning a cat! Henry is only 11 weeks old now & it's been interesting learning about cats! I was allergic when I was younger, but I seem to have grown out of it! I also have 2 dogs, who are my world. Mr Frodo loves Christmas, he loves seeing people unwrapping presents because he then plays with the paper & the boxes. You'd think he was a cat!
If you end up with a shorthaired cat, you can always wipe the kitty down with a damp washcloth every day to keep down the cat dander/saliva. I'm not sure it works 100% though.
As for dogs, there's always poodles; they're smart (unless too inbred) and don't shed much.
If you want fish with personalities, try cichlids. They tend to interact with their people more (although my brother's Oscar was more inclined to attack us - and the dog - than anything else but it was probably bored).
I've also kept hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, anole lizards (trained them to drink out of the hamster water bottles) and frogs (really cool except for the chirping of the escaped crickets). No animal had ever destroyed anything during the holidays.
Lovely post, Donna. My cats are all big fans of Christmas and they always put a present under the tree for my hubby! We've not had any toppled trees - though we have had a rescue from the top of one of our kittens and numerous bauble antics. My lovely old boy - the 20 year old R2 - loved to lie on the Christmas tree skirt and watch the lights flickering.
Avoid cats with long hair if your son is allergic. A domestic short hair is probably the best. Brushing regularly is supposed to help keep the dander down. Most people I know who are allergic used to take a dose of antihistamine when they come to our house *g* as R2 was a long hair. But they've had no problems since both our cats are now short haired.
I don't know much about dogs, but I'm a 'big dog' person (though I have known one very nice chihuahua). If I had my choice of dogs, I'd have a Siberian husky. I think they are gorgeous. Then again, like with cats, I'd more likely go to the rescue place and rescue a 57 varieties with a sparky personality!
Our one cat has been having a great time with the ornaments which is why the bottom half of the tree is empty right now. Just last night my husband found the two cats using an ornament to play a kind of cat soccer, batting it back and forth between them. Good luck picking out a new pet. I know there are dogs that people with allergies can safely have but I am not sure about cats.
Jane, congratulations on winning the Christmas bird! *eg* Just don't try to stuff him with anything except Tim Tams...
Donna, my SIL posted this story yesterday on Facebook:
"...well thought I was done..my 95 pound Doberman went under the tree..into a gift bag..took out the small square package of coffee..took it to his kennel, unwrapped the bow, opened the box and licked the coffee out..not one tooth mark on the box..unbelievable..."
My brother said, "...so if you get a small box of coffee from Judy.......it may be a little used........just sayin."
She claims she bought a new box. I usually get some nice coffee from them, so I'll have to check it for Dobie drool!
Our animal adventures usually consist of the cat stealing the bows and ribbons off of packages and dragging them under the sofa. Thank goodness he doesn't try to climb the tree anymore.
Your best bet at the shelter, I think, is to make plenty of time to go play with the dogs that are there and see which one clicks with you. The big ones and the black ones tend to be overlooked, so you might give a them special consideration.
It's probably not on your animal list, but I really miss my daughter's rats. I couldn't believe how much we enjoyed them. They were so sweet, smart (did you know they can train rats for land mine detection?), actually cuddled and almost purred--they do this chirpy thing. Anyway, as a small pets go, they were great. :)
Okay, the cat patty cake was hilarious, I am so glad I already had my pit stop or I would have been in trouble. I love pets but have discovered I am getting to old to deal sometimes. The goats were adorable.
I don't know what breed of cat is hypo allergenic either. I think there is supposed to be one at least that is easier on people than most.
For sheer pleasure of their company I think dogs are the best, you can go to the door and get the mail and a dog is so happy you are back he is your slave forever. For some reason I prefer cats though, maybe I like being mistreated and ignored, gotta me something in my personality that is a little off.
My mother and I hade 4 cats one Christmas, after bribing someone to take me to get a tree and finally getting it up ourselves we thought we were doing great, till we came home from work with the tree in the floor and a patchwork kitten caught in the upper branches.....LOL.
Minna - I don't know about a genetically engineered animal. There's too many just normal cats that need a home to purchase something created just for this purpose. Think I'd pass on that.
Kirsten - I do the same thing with breakables up top and unbreakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree out of habit - not to protect from cakes but from tottlers (grin). It is fun to watch just how much joy a cat can take in unwrapping a bow. I wonder what attracts them so?
SINn - Shame about having to get rid of Wynxx. Our pets do have a way of capturing our hearts. I've never had a small dog. THey seem sort of yappy, are they? I know that when I'd walk our dog, it was the small dogs that went beserk when we passed their house. The bigger dogs didn't seem to care as much.
Helen -
Yes I'm a fan of the Heinz 57 varieties. Our last dog was a terrier mix with Austrailan Shepard in him. I think the mixed breeds are smarter - they are certainly loving.
Natalie - My son wasn't allergic when he was little, but after he started dating his girlfriend who lived in a house with something like six cats - he started getting welts whenever he was near the cats. While he doesn't live at home anymore - he usually stops by daily for a couple of hours.
Growing up we tended to have cats and dogs together. After an initial adjustment period of cornering and spitting, they usually ended up to be best friends. It's fun to see them curled up asleep with each other, or watch the cat batting the dog's ears just to get his attention. Gotta love the animals.
Sheree -- Sounds like you've had a menagerie. I remember the sound of slowly decreasing crickets when my kids had chameleons for pets. Never thought I'd see the day when I had to buy crickets at a pet store (grin). I had fears that they'd all escape and run rampant through my house.
The dh has nixed poodles from consideration. He had one when he was younger. I understand it wasn't the best fit.
I vote for a dog (I'm a huge fan of puppy cuddles & kisss) kittens are cute but grow up to be cats which rarely think like dogs ;)
No pets as a kid. My sister got a dog shortly after moving out on her own but he wasn't allowed in mom's house. Luckily mom has long since relented on the no dogs allowed in the house rule (she does like her "now living out of town" kids to visit after all) so my dog gets to join us at mom's for the holiday. No "horror" stories though, she behaves herself (the dog, & mom ;) too) & doesn't try to open her presents early even though there set out under the tree with everyone elses.
Oh -- and Happy Holidays all! :D
once I was on vacation and left some candy bards on the ocunter and my dog rolled my kitchen chair to the counter and gt into the chocolate. Had to look all over for the missing bars.
Hi Donna, I have the "hypo-allergenic" cat. She's a Siberian and they don't produce a certain protein in their saliva so the dander isn't as allergenic as most cats. My husband is allergic and he can handle her sleeping right next to him. I've had many other people come into my house and not have a reaction when they are very allergic to cats.
They also tend to be very dog-like. Misha tends to be with me in my office most days. She's sitting here on my desk in her cat bed watching the birds right now. If I leave the house, she greets me at the door. But they aren't cheap.
Good luck with the animal hunt!
We have two adorable dogs. One is a rescue dog a small mix who is a a sweetheart and loving. The other, a Maltese which is an ideal dog. No shedding and a great temperament.
Hilarious video clips, Donna! I especially enjoy watching cats play with Christmas things -- they're so frolicky!
My friend has Tibetan Spaniels and they are a truly beautiful breed. I don't know about allergies and the like, but I love to visit her and have those 7 (YES SEVEN!!) little guys and gals attack me.
One of my dogs always manages to find treats so we have to hide them extremely well. We had several cats in succession while growing up and then finally a dog who lived 18 years.
I love cats, my add is allergic but still he have always had a lot and he has had no problems :)
Hi Anna -
I think my animals, like my garden, will have to be extremely low maintenance.
My brother has a beautiful bengal cat. He says its a descendent of a Bengal tiger. It has a sleek kind of fur that's different than a normal cat. Know anything about them?
Neat about R2 watching the lights - very nice memory.
Maureen - Cat Soccer! Love it! There's something special about having two pets and watching them interact. What fun!
Caren - I had no idea that dogs liked coffee. I wonder if the dog was hyperactive after having consumed so much caffeine? Fun story!
Gillian -
Black dogs get overlooked? I didn't know that. Anna tells me the same thing happens to black cats. Some people consider them bad luck. Growing up we always had black cats, can't recall a lot of bad luck then (grin).
This Christmas will be the first one in a long time that I haven't bought gifts to fill a doggie stocking. Our Aussie died of old age earlier this year and a few weeks ago the St. Bernard we were keeping for one of my nephews broke free while on a walk, something she'd never done before, and was killed by a passing car. We're not ready for another dog just yet, but I'm sure we'll look for one before too long, probably another Aussie. We've had three who were all wonderful and beloved.
I think most terriers are good choices for people who suffer from allergies. I have a friend who suffers from asthma, and she has a couple of Yorkies who are kings of her house and heart.
Congrats on a new doggy! Can't wait to see what you get.
Had to laugh about the coffee mug from the dog. :) And I love that you named your snail Killer. LOL!
Dianna -
I love the paddycake cats as well. The two men's voices are so perfect. The two cats reminded me of my two older brothers.
I'm guessing we'll get a dog. I miss walking my old Oreo. While one can take a walk without a dog at the end of a leash, something seems lacking. I plot while I walk so a dog would be most welcome.
gamistress66 - I'm thinking we'll get a dog as well. They're just so much more substantial. As I'm home most of the day, we can handle the less independent dog. But have to admit - cats - and especially kittens - have thier charm.
Dina -
Now that was one resourceful dog! Years ago, my son requested a carrot cake for his birthday - which fell on a Sunday. I let the cake out on the kitchen table...perhaps too close to the edge. We all went to church and then out to a restaurant for brunch with the idea to return home for dessert. Came in and a huge chunk of the cake was gone. Oreo had stood on her hind legs to reach it, but she managed a substantial portion.
Christie - A Siberian - that's the name I was looking for. Interesting that they're dog-like. We might have to check them out. Thanks Christie!
A Maltese - that might be worth looking into. My husband has a real thing about shedding. I'll check it out. Thanks Traveler!
LOL! I love how the cats are getting into the holiday spirit, too! ;) We don't have pets and didn't growing up, but I can see how in many families, pets are truly part of the family; it's only right that they can join in the festivities!
Jo - seven! Holy cow! My husband relented about another pet when he saw a friend greeted by two of his rescue dogs. He said he had to admit he missed being greeted by Oreo - all that love letting you know you were missed. But seven - that would be a bit much.
Petite - Oh it wounds the soul to lose a dog after 18 years. Hugs to you, Petite.
Blodeuedd - Love the Christmas avatar (grin). We do travel a bit so the independence of cats would be welcomed. But my daughter still lives at home so maybe a dog would work. It's a tough decision...
My mother has a Westie-Poo and he is just a sweet little thing. I have two cats, sisters, who like to swipe ornaments off the tree - I always catch them standing on their hind legs, reaching up into the tree to get something off a higher branch. So every day, I redecorate the tree!
Margay
Janga -
Mega hugs! I know how that hurts especially at Christmas. Time heals though. Soon you'll be posting about your new pet and all the love it'll have for you.
Trish -
He truly was fun to watch. I think he scared the fish! He just grew so large. We haven't been able to find a replacement yet. I think the fish misses him.
I think there is a pill you can give your cat that keeps the dander stuff down and you're not allergic (or as allergic) to your cat. A co-worker got a cat and discovered she was allergic--and her vet told her about the pills. It works, she says.
I also hear that black cats produce more dander or something--people tend to be more allergic to them. And also longer haired cats tend to cause less problems dander-wise than short-haired ones.
I don't have any pets--I'm allergic to both, for one (though if I caved, it'd be for a cat.) But my friends have pets and they're fun to play with and watch.
Fichen - aren't the videos great! There's some great ones out there, and the ones with animals seem to be the best.
Margay - LOL - They're keeping you in the holiday spirit. A Christmas tree is just a big decoration in a petless home - but toss a cat or dog or little one into the picture and the tree becomes an adventure. Merry Christmas to you!
MrHellion - Not sure I could survive giving a cat a pill a day - LOL - it would be a struggle of wills to be sure.
Hope you have a great holiday.
All our cats have been black and the only one that ever caused problems was the long-hair, R2. Never heard of dander being related to colour.
You're right, Donna, black cats are overlooked for various silly superstitions. I had heard that was true about black dogs too, especially in the US.
I think the other thing that makes a difference is that our cats are indoor/outdoor cats (we shut them in at night because of the fields) and that seems to make them less of an issue - perhaps any dander is spread outside?
Don't know much about Bengal cats, but Burmese are supposed to be good.
I don't know if the black cat dander thing is remotely true--it was just what I heard. *LOL* I think black cats are gorgeous actually; I'd like one but since I'm rather allergic, I though maybe I'd pick one that is said to be "less allergic". :)
Who knows how these rumors get started?
I never heard that about black dogs though. That's odd. Older dogs, sure--hard to adopt because everyone wants a "puppy" (I'd rather have the older dog actually.)
Then again, since I've read Harry Potter about fifty times, I wonder if the black dog thing has to do with The Grim. Black dogs are associated with death. If you see a black dog, you're going to die. I suppose it would be like owning a black cat...or a crow. *LOL*
I remember reading articles where people owned ravens and that was pretty funny.
Hey, Jane, one rooster for you! Congrats!
Donna, I LOVED the clips! Those goats were like ballet dancers, weren't they? And the patty cake cats cracked me up. I think my fave, though, was the singing animals. Yeah, I'm a sucker for singing animals.
It's Christmas Eve in Australia, everyone! Yay!
Oh, Janga, that's so sad. Big hugs for you, missing your furry friend this Christmas.
MsHellion - Maybe Cassondra will drop in and tell us what her crow thinks of Christmas. He's a rather outspoken bird.
I'm going to have to check out the Siberian cats Christy mentioned...but then i'm partial to dogs as well. Think I can swing both?
Merry Christmas Eve Anna!
I liked the singing animal clip as well - especially how they modified the sound for the cat with his end in the bowl and the fish in the water.
Those goats are so cute! I forgot how they can jump sideways. They're so playful...and then they get big. My SIL had goats until one of the males decided to butt the back of her husband. The collision put her husband in the hospital for a bit. Then the goats were gone.
Morning All!
LOVE the videos, Donna, esp. the goats. My sister has 3 goats (possibly 4 by now) and the little one looks very much like the grey & white in the video. BTW, his name is Trouble!
I can't recommend a rescue dog enough! Both of mine are rescues and they are THE BEST DOGS EVER!!! Of course, I could be a wee bit biased.
I heard the same thing as VA, black cats and dogs are hardest to place. Medium sized black dogs are hardest. I know because my BFF and I rescued a medium (50 lbs) black dog (2 years old) from the pound many years ago. She named him Skipper and he was one of the sweetest dogs who ever lived!
So go for a medium black dog, I say! Or any dog who (like one of mine) gives you "the look" that you can't resist.
AC
a sucker for all small furry pets
Oh wow...to have an animal in the house for Christmas...Hmmm I remember when I was younger we had pugs and boy they would attack anything that hung low on the tree and we won't even go into icles and and dogs....lets just say my mom stopped putting icles on the tree!
Now that I'm married to a guy that is allergic to every dog and cat we have fish...and thus I put those cute little vinyl stickers on their tank so they don't feel left out of the hoilday.
As for what type of dog you want to get...that all depends on you...usually I find you can have everything planned out but when you walk in ....you fall in love at first sight... :) Doggie Kisses!
Donna
There are some great suggestions for you and some great stories from everyone.
It is Christmas Eve here in Oz so to all of The Bandits and Bandit Buddies and everyone I wish you all a wonderful Chrissy filled with lots of love and fun
Have Fun
Helen
No AC, Not biased at all (grin) -
Sounds like Trouble might be well-named. Those baby goats are so cute. Merry Christmas AC. Good to have you back on shore again!
BJ - LOL on the vinyl stickies on the fish bowl. Neat idea, though. I think you're right about the love at first sight issue. Our last dog was a pound rescue. One of the reasons I liked her was that she wasn't as jumpy as the other dogs, and she looked up at you with these big brown eyes. We brought her home - then discovered the reason she wasn't as jumpy as the other dogs was that she'd recently had surgery (spade). Once she fully recovered she was as rambuctious as the other puppies, but by that time you couldn't pry her away from us. Merry Christmas!
Helen - There's something magical about Christmas Eve isn't there? All that anticipation, all that marvelous feeling that anything is possible - even that a fat guy in a red suit could fit down the chimney. May you have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You've help make our year a joy, Helen.
I love the goats! They're so cute, especially the little gray one with the white, floppy ears.
Thanks for posting those adorable videos, Donna. I needed something to cheer me up during my five minute break from the Christmas Cave.
Happy Christmas Eve to all our Aussies! You're getting me excited now. :-)
Jane, congrats on the GR! I think he'd be willing to play pattycake with you. ;-)
Adorable videos. :)We had a Norwegian Elk hound pup. He was adorable. The hubby brought him in on Christmas eve in a little replica of a cottage. We named him Thor. And he was loved by all...then, he grabbed hold of my new heels and chewed and chewed. :) I needed new flats anyway. lol Then as I was laying the feast on the table I turned my back for one minute and there's this little head looking at me from a chair with a chunk of turkey hanging from his mouth and his head cocked sideways. :) He scrambled off the chair ran out of the kitchen as if the hounds of hell were on him and literally jumped into our tree.I think it was an exciting day for him. lol Happy Holidays everyone and may all your dreams come true.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
Thanks Kate - Glad you got released from the writing cave for a few moments. That's the price of success, girl (grin).
Carol L.
LOL - now that's a Christmas to remember! He must have thought he'd wrangled into doggie heaven with that turkey sitting on the table just for him. Fun story, Thanks Carol. Hope you have a wonderful, but less exciting Christmas, this year.
When we had a dog, we had too hang unbreakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree because tail wagging could knock them off!
My husband is allergic to dog/cat fur, yet his nose runs whenever he's near a hypoallergenic dog. On the other hand, we dogsit a golden retriever who leaves fur EVERYWHERE and my husband is fine. I'm thinking it's the dander and not the fur....
Stories? I remember our small dog (part terrier) getting her tail caught on the tree garland and then giving US the look of "Well ... are you going to do something about it?" We did - we laughed and laughed, and THEN we helped sort it all out. She was afraid of the tree after that and stayed well away for years to come.
I loved the pattycake video. So funny when the black looks over at the camera with such disdain. So cute. We have always had cats. A few years ago we rescued an adorable tabby from the shelter. He was so fascinated by the christmas tree. I think he lived in that year. Everytime we turned around he was in it. Thankfully he never knocked it down, just a few of the ornaments.
LOL Chey - Those tails can be deadly. We always said that was the most dangerous part of Oreo. She would whip a burgler to dead wagging her tail. I can just see the tree ornaments taking flight.
Laney4 - the ultimate revenge - the tree garland snags your dog in self-defense - love it!
No one here has dog allergies, but my husband does have a problem with dog hair on everything. I suppose training to keep the dog off the furniture would be called for - but I'm such a sucker for thsoe puppy eyes, I never was very good with training dogs. Happy Holidays Laney!
Good job, Jane! An early Christmas present for you! Or perhaps you have been very naughty?
Shelter pups are the best, Donna. They just seem to know they've been rescued and they are always so grateful!
Russian blue cats are supposed to be low-dander and they really are gorgeous to look at.
I have spent most of the holiday season trying to outsmart the one female cat in my house - Rebecca. The three boys are too fat to try and get to the tree. (I opted for a four footer this year and put it atop the television hutch in the living room.) Bec-Bec, however, in all her sleek glory is constantly being shooed from beneath the tree where she rubs against the low-hanging ornaments. During the day she is locked in the bedroom and complains very pitifully about it too. I heard a noise a few evenings ago and rushed into the living room to find the tree leaning precariously toward the floor and one very upset Rebecca hanging from one of the branches by one foot. I'd love to say she learned her lesson, but even now she is sitting on the floor contemplating the best way to get back up beneath that fake evergreen!
Happy Christmas Eve to all of our friends in OZ !!
Danielle - I agree. I thought that patty cake video was brilliant. The men really nailed the thoughts - didn't they? And if THAT'S not a scary thought (hehe).
Funny story about the cat in the tree with the ornaments. I can just imagine gazing nostalgically at the tree and suddenly a bulb comes flying out and a little cat paw takes its place.
Have a great holiday, Danielle!
LOL Louisa - love the image of the cat hanging upside down on the tree branch dangling from a back foot. A bit aerobic, that one.
I'm sure we'll be visiting the pound, but I'm putting it off till it's is a bit warmer. This is not great housebreaking weather.
Have a great Christmas, Louisa! Wishing you awards and sales in 2011.
Cute videos.
Hope you find the perfect pet. They will really brighten your day.
When crickets get loose, they tend to want warm, moist places: under and behind the refrigerator Just pull out the fridge and get ready to vacuum; this is a two-person job.
Some crickets make the right pitched noise to drive me crazy!
Hee! Those patty-cake playing cats are cute!
Alas, I haven't any animals at my house so I don't have an animal Christmas story to tell. I'm very allergic to cats too. I don't know which ones are hypo-allergenic but I do know they exist. I once played with a beautiful big reeeeaaaally floooooofy long-haired white kitty and ended up entirely covered in cat hair without a single wheeze.
I've always been a fan of adopting/rescuing a greyhound. They're so sleek and pretty and nice and need homes. I won't be getting a pet anytime soon but I think that's what I'd love to get if I ever do.
By the way, my brother's Oscar was in a fishtank without a hood because he'd jump out of the water (which is how he attacked the family Golden).
Jane, congrats on the bird.
Donna, the dh and I have had only one dogless Christmases. Our very first was just the two of us, with our first dog arriving in March. The Christmas after she died in November was the other.
We always have a gift under the tree for the dog(s), and there are always gifts for us from them.
The new queen of the house, unlike our previous bosses, has no interest in playing with tennis balls. This will be the first Christmas in a long time without a can of brand new ones under the tree.
I hadn't seen the cat one but have enjoyed the other two. The only cats that you wouldn't be allergic to are the hairless ones (ugly looking things lol). I did read about one tht they are trying to breed but it was extremely expensive and I doubt if there are many available. Poodles or poodle mixes are good for anyone with allergies. I definitely recommend a pound dog - they are almost always more good natured than some papered breeds. We have had two dogs - one a beagle that was higher strung than our mixed breed dog that had a wonderful disposition.
I've been caring for ferals/strays for 15 yrs. and have had 7 at one time. They have all been very good with the tree except one year that I had some very large packages under the tree which they climbed and then toppled the tree. I was up wrapping around 2 AM and it went down with a huge bang. I lost a lot of good ornaments. I had to totally redo the whole tree and then I guess I didn't get it back up right and it fell again!! At 4 AM I was running my sweeper and I could not believe neither of my children woke up (right down the hall) with all the commotion lol.
They always get treats/toys from Santa. Now we also buy for our grandkitties and granddoggie too lol.
Sorry all - was out shopping for the food for the Christmas dinner. Good grief - it's almost as expensive on top of the table as under the tree! But we do make an awful lot of food. THis year I'm making a figgy pudding - got to try it (grin). We'll be sending a lot of the leftovers home with guests - which gives me license to make a lot.
runner10 - Thanks. Hope so! Merry Christmas to you!
Sheree - There's just something desolate about the sound of crickets slowly reducing in the cage. First there's a whole cacophony of chirps, then a few, then two, then one lone cricket... then... an eerie silence. About then I miss the crickets chirping (grin).
Pissenlit - Greyhounds! Those are really beautiful dogs. I remember meeting a fellow writer once in Cleveland. We had dinner at a restaurant and talked and talked. The restaurant made no secret about wanting us to leave - they were anxious to close up. So, even though it was a chilly October night, we moved outside to a bench - we just didn't want to end the conversation. While we were there, this GORGEOUS guy came walking two Italian greyhounds down the street. They were wearing these cute little sweater over their raised skinny tummies. THey were adorable - and the guy wasn't bad either. Yes, I could handle some Greyhounds.
Merry Christmas!
SHeree - LOL - Oscar had a dream of being a flying fish not to be contained in a bowl. Funny.
Nancy -
Buy a can of tennis balls for old times sake. If the dog isn't interested, use them in the dryer to fluff up quilts and coverlets. My son says his dog isn't interested in tennis balls either. What is wrong with the world? Are these modern hi-tech dogs that won't run for something so low tech as a tennis ball? Geez.
Catslady - you have to watch the video of the pattycake cats. You'll laugh and laugh. It's really cute.
LMAO! Donna, I have a similar greyhound story! The first time I'd ever seen a real live greyhound, I was with a friend waiting for the subway and along comes this absolutely beautiful greyhound on a leash. I first saw and admired the greyhound and then I followed the leash and noticed the really gorgeous guy...and my head turned...and tilted...and I wasn't looking at the greyhound anymore. HAHAHA!
Donna, the dog prefers her stuffed animal. Go figure. The golden who came with the adoption coordinator to check us out LOVED tennis balls. He was about 4, so it's not all of this generation.
There's a guy in our neighborhood I sometimes see walking a pair of rescue greyhounds. They're beautiful dogs.
Janga, I'm so sorry about your dog. That's sad about the St. Bernard, too.
I know when you're ready you'll find a wonderful dog.
What cute vedios. We had a dog when we were growing up. I have had birds, cats but now son is allergic to cats, so we can't have one. The only pets we have now are fish. Thanks about it. If I don't get back to the blog before then I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.
My first kitten the first year I had him at Christmas liked to sleep in the branches of the tree. Lucky he was still small at the time. But he was also a bit nosy and my mom had melted some butter and put the bowl on the edge of the counter. He wanted to see it and jumped up. Missed the counter, hit the edge of the bowl and ended up a butter covered kitten. His white chest was never quite the same again.
Boy am I late to a very appropo post for MY Christmas this year!
I LOVED the video about the animals singing and the pattycake one? I'd already seen and LMAO at it.
After through research, I did put up my pre-lit artificial tree. It is secured to the wall and has a motion dectecting arerosol can hidden in the boughs. It's been sprayed to within an inch of it's life with Bitter Yuck.
Cricket is VERY wary and has not bothered it at all.
Grayson? The Monkey Cat? He's developed a taste for Bitter Yuck and stands in front of the aerosol like it's a refreshing wind in his face....and STILL chews on the end!
Maybe NEXT year I'll risk ornaments.
Good luck with the doggie hunt and I did hear of one cat who tends to be less allergic. Turkish Van????
Virginia -
Merry Christmas! I was looking on the web at the Siberian cats that Christy mentioned. They look like they have long fur - I wasn't expecting that in a cat that is supposed to be hyperallergic - i.e. good for people who are allergic to cats. They are beautiful cats if ever you want to return to a cat pet. They're a bit more responsive than fish - (says she with the fighting fish).
donnas - LOl I can almost see this happening in slow motion - the cat, the counter, the bowl, the butter flying. Poor kitty. It's a scene you aren't likely to forget. Funny that he liked to sleep in the tree...although after the kitchen incident you'd think he'd be able to "slip" out of any situation. (hehe)
Have a Merry Christmas!
Joan -
I do enjoy hearing all about your first Christmas with the kittys. I've never heard of an aerosol motion detector to encourage the cats to stay away from the tree. I can just see Grayson with the fur blown back from his face licking up the Bitter yuck. LOL!
It's like a Christmas tree is natural catnip. I know you're going to enjoy unwrapping the presents and watching them play with the ribbon. They do know how to celebrate!
And the winner is ....MsHellion!
If you can send your current contact information to either me at www.DonnaMacMeans.com or to the RomanceBandits@gmail.com, I'll make sure you get the 12 days of Christmas prize. Thanks everyone for contributing and I hold you have a great Chistmas and a fantastic New Year!
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