Love Those Pets!

We really do love our pets.  "Doc" struggles a little with some of them, but I think it is mostly because he grew up without pets, and possibly because when the dogs make a mess, he usually steps in it barefooted.  We have now dubbed him as the Poop Patrol.  Belle is usually the offender of placing "gifts" in strategic places, so you know where that places her on the favorite list!  All the guys make fun of Belle.  She has huge eyes that I think are soulful and they think are goofy.  She also has a bit of an addiction to food.  We have to monitor her food intake carefully.  She will get into the garbage at any opportunity and will drag containers into her cage and hide them.  We have caught her standing on the kitchen table when after someone has left food out.  She can open boxes and get to candy on the table too.  Her newest skill is the ability to open the bread drawer and help herself to a loaf or too.  She actually ate a container of salt one time.  We still have the salt shaker, a glass one with a metal lid.  She unscrewed the lid and ate the salt.  "Mini Me" and her boyfriend at the time, thought it made her thirsty and gave her water.  The poor girl blew up like a balloon and lay on the floor moaning.  She is well aware of her offenses and panics when she gets caught.  "Calvin" has caught her mid-leap jumping off the table.  She really is a gentle dog.

Pistol is better liked by the guys.  I guess he is more of a playful dog and according to the guys he is cool. I just think that guys bond better with guys.    I think he commits a significant number of offenses as Belle.  He is just a little more clever at hiding his indiscretions.  I have actually caught him squatting to make a puddle and I know that Belle would have been blamed!  After all, if he sprays something, we all know who did it!  He is the only inside male dog. The only other males that I could blame would be my sonds or "Doc", and if my guys are peeing on the walls we have bigger issues!  Pistol has done his share of late night garbage raids too.  Somehow the guys think his are funny, especially when they catch him mid-act and he runs away dragging the garbage bag with him because it got caught on his collar.

Prudence is just a little princess, her messes are small and she gets away with it all.  She is the most ferocious when visitors come.  You are positive that she will attack your ankles any second, but all you have to do is take a step toward her and she scampers away!
She bounces around on all four feet like a cartoon character when you ask her if she wants to go out or if she wants to eat.

I really didn't want any more pets when the kids first brought Pistol home.  I have to admit, that they bring an awful lot of unconditional love to the household.  You can always count on them being excited to see you, even when no one else is.  They also seem to know when you don't feel good or are sad and they know just what to do about it.  If it is at all possible, let your kids have a pet.  They will learn the best lessons about unconditional love, and they will develop some responsibility.  They will learn life lessons that only a pet can teach!  If you have never had a pet, try it.  You might learn too.