The Ace of Spades Pet Thread

Good afternoon and welcome to the almost world famous Ace of Spades Pet Thread. Your's truly will be filling in for KT as she is recovering from surgery. She didn't ask me, but if you folks would include KT in your prayers for a full recovery that would be most welcomed.

We don't have many pet and/or animal submissions today. But, that's OK as we are Morons and know how to amuse ourselves without talking politics or current events. Which could land you in the Dog Pound.

The following was submitted by Miley and is quite interesting. You thought you knew cat colors or did you?

You’ve probably heard of spooky black cats, chaotic orange cats, and distinguished-looking tuxedo cats. If you’re really into cats, you might have even lesser-known color variants like seal point and ticked tabby. But there’s officially a new cat color in town— salmiak, or ‘salty liquorice.’ You can see one here.
The pretty black, white, and grey shade—named for a popular snack food in Finland, where this coat color has been making itself known—is thanks to a fur strand that starts off black near the root, but grows whiter and whiter out towards the tip. The coat was first spotted in 2007, and in 2019, it was brought to the attention of a group of cat experts lead by feline geneticist Heidi Anderson. Since then, the group has been trying to figure out exactly what causes this shade to express itself, and recently, they finally figured it out. A paper on the discovery has been published in the journal Animal Genetics.

******

So as a young child I always wanted a dog, that dog an Irish Setter. My father told me, "Once you have your own home you can have an Irish Setter."

Well I did take my father's advice and I've owned Irish Setters or Irish Red & White Setters since 1982. (Get off my lawn)

Am I a dog snob? I love the Sporting Breed dogs. And have always loved Setters. Although I have never owned a Gordon Setter or an English Setter I would have no problem having either one in my home.

I admire the Working Group. And I'll be honest, I'm not much of a small dog fan. Although there are a number of Terriers I like, including the Schnauzer. So where are we going with this Mis Hum?

As our oldest dog just turned 11 I have to ask the question. Will we fill in his empty space in our home? Will we get another dog? If we do, do we get a puppy of the breed of dog we know? Or do we adopt an older Setter from a rescue group? Or do we go off the rail completely and adopt an older dog or a puppy from a shelter?

Two of our daughters have 3 rescue dogs. All of 3 of them have some Pit Bull in them. Overall they are good dogs. But, the Mid-Kid's dog has baggage which makes it difficult for them to visit as we have to keep all of the dogs separated. This dog was adopted at an older age.

The Fabulous and I are leaning towards adoption of an older Setter as we know their characteristics and medical issues.

So let us know your thoughts. Be nice, be kind, there are no wrong answers on the selection of a pet. That pet will be with you for a number of years. And you should both be happy and thankful for your decision.

Until next week, same Pet Thread Station, same Pet Thread Time. Have a great week!

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian (ONT Cob Emeritus) at 03:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I think the second photo describes most people who get dogs. We're all in need of their rescue.

Besides, aren't all dogs therapy dogs? Some of them are pros, but the rest are still amateurs.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 10, 2025 03:02 PM (VNX3d)

2 So recently, we mourned the passing of a friend's Greyhound from cancer. I was sifting through email to find pictures and found this description when he came to our house for a play date:

"Kraken and Winnie (Two of my dogs) burst out the door to greet him. He just stood there and wasn't sure what to do.

"Then Duncan (One of my other dogs) came out and walked him in."

Posted by: NR Pax at May 10, 2025 03:03 PM (lXCUP)

3 We had a golden retriever about 15 years ago. Never retrieved any gold. Was responsible for a lot of comedy gold though.

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at May 10, 2025 03:04 PM (wgbpW)

4 Meow!

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by meow at May 10, 2025 03:06 PM (sAmhv)

5 Skritches!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at May 10, 2025 03:07 PM (dj8Fd)

6 I have only ever had one pure bred dog, and Australian Terrier. Louie was a serious piece of work, but was never boring.

All my other dogs were mixes of some kind, not always clear, and a couple of them were just plain bizarre. The problem is that once I see a puppy, any puppy, I'm sold.

All my dogs have been the best dogs ever.

Posted by: tcn in AK at May 10, 2025 03:07 PM (a4NoL)

7 My experience with bringing doggies into our lives is that I know my dog when I see them. Haven't been wrong yet.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 03:07 PM (Uzn0I)

8 7 My experience with bringing doggies into our lives is that I know my dog when I see them. Haven't been wrong yet.
Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 03:07 PM (Uzn0I)

When we went to see Louie, he stuck his head up my skirt, and once that happened, well, we HAD to take him home.

Posted by: tcn in AK at May 10, 2025 03:09 PM (a4NoL)

9 Woof!!!

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at May 10, 2025 03:09 PM (ho1ha)

10 Thanks for carrying the load for posts this weekend, Misanthropic Humanitarian! And I will be praying for KT and her recovery.

FWIW, I figure if we get any more pets, they’d be senior rescues. I dont want to commit to a 15-20 year pet; 5 years would be about right (for me anyway).

Posted by: Annies Stew at May 10, 2025 03:10 PM (jtcz6)

11 Adopt an older setter…neither you or the dog will be disappointed. Rescues have a special place in our hearts. When they look you in the eye you know it is good.

Posted by: rocdoctom at May 10, 2025 03:12 PM (y0d3M)

12 Critters!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at May 10, 2025 03:15 PM (2UnvF)

13 Shoulda said DiMaggio

Posted by: Dr. Varno at May 10, 2025 03:17 PM (PqVMw)

14 Hello, MisHum. Thanks for filling in for KT, who we hope will be back soon. With more Moron pet pix.

SonM was over this morning with his big Alaskan Malamute Jarl and regular-size Kelpie Bandit. Got a bit of video of them and our Malinois Daisy in a three-way tussle. Hilarious.

Usually, when we have visiting dogs, our old black cat Ony hides out in the bedroom and we close the door. Today, though, I brought her out to sit in my lap while Jarl and Bandit were here. They have a cat at home, so they get along with cats okay. Ony isn't so comfortable with them, but tolerated their nosing at her, only hissing once at Bandit when he wouldn't stop sniffing her face. I think he got the message and quit being so nosy. Jarl's head is bigger than Ony.

Just didn't want Ony to feel she had to self-isolate while we all had fun 'n' games. Good ol' kitty.

Posted by: mindful webworker - how now bow wow meow at May 10, 2025 03:19 PM (b/vRQ)

15 I dunno, that ‘salmiak’ cat looks like 500 other cats I’ve seen in my life. I’m calling bullshit. I’ll bet a breeder sees a way to make bank on status-obsessed trend-suckers.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 03:23 PM (aeiyZ)

16 Well, my aunt had a couple of seal point Siamese decades ago. A bit twitchy but still, all in all, nice cats. And my last cat Buddy, who was eulogized on this thread, was a tuxedo cat.

The current set consists of an orange tabby, a classic tortoiseshell and a gray tortoiseshell. All troublemakers but tons of fun.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 10, 2025 03:25 PM (/HDaX)

17 Nearly got knocked down by a Golden at the dog park today. Full body check hug. No idea whose he was. Reef just looked on like 'you cheating bitch' as I petted him/her (no idea.)

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 03:25 PM (zZu0s)

18 I just sat down at my desk to read the Pet Thread and work on composing the Sunday Morning Book Thread.

Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 03:26 PM (GlyvH)

19 Haven't been wrong yet.
Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 03:07 PM (Uzn0I)

*fistbump*

Does not matter the dog, the eyes tell the tale.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 03:27 PM (zZu0s)

20 Happy Caturday everyone

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 03:27 PM (ypFCm)

21 As the owner of two golden chuckleheads, I can tell you that the last thing on earth that they will retrieve is gold.

My puppy (11 months old) currently has the shits for some reason - probably due to the tennis ball carcass he found somewhere and was eating piece by piece before I managed to find it and throw it away.

Came home from dinner last night to a nice smelly package on the floor due to that one...

Posted by: Defenestratus at May 10, 2025 03:29 PM (WYStd)

22 When we went to see Louie, he stuck his head up my skirt, and once that happened, well, we HAD to take him home.
Posted by: tcn in AK

Dogs have a unique and special gift of communication. As a young man, recently being single after a long relationship, I got a pound dog, Max. The first time Mrs.Sock met Max, he did something very similar. In short order he became her dog. At one point, after I had been a butthead and Mrs. Sock told me to go jump in the lake, she kidnapped Max. When she finally brought him back, he refused to leave her side. I owe alot to that dog.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 03:29 PM (Uzn0I)

23 This week I met a dog named Crouton. It was a good week.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at May 10, 2025 03:29 PM (FEVMW)

24 17 Nearly got knocked down by a Golden at the dog park today. Full body check hug. No idea whose he was. Reef just looked on like 'you cheating bitch' as I petted him/her (no idea.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 03:25 PM (zZu0s)

It is soooo damn hard to train the "golden yippee jumps" out of them. They are just so damn happy around people in general, and they don't know their size. It's honestly a huge concern of mine and why we don't typically take our goldens to doggo parks... I'm afraid my 6 year old will bowl over some old person in an effort to tell said old person how much he loves them.

Posted by: Defenestratus at May 10, 2025 03:30 PM (WYStd)

25 he stuck his head up my skirt, and once that happened, well, we HAD to take him home.

This has always worked with the women in my life.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at May 10, 2025 03:34 PM (dj8Fd)

26 "My experience with bringing doggies into our lives is that I know my dog when I see them."

That was definitely true of our Luna, who is a rescue surrendered by the people who owned her for her first 4 years. We were going to foster because neither of us had had a dog since we were younger. Well, after 24 hours we knew she was never leaving.

FWIW, she's a pit/cocker/Rottie mix and the best dog in the world. She did initially have some issues with other dogs but that's mostly worked out. I think it was because of her experiences after having been boarded by her owners and then given to the rescue. Now that she feels secure, that's mostly gone away.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at May 10, 2025 03:34 PM (FEVMW)

27 And now for a pitch on behalf of the Cat Distribution Network. Item 1: A humane society outpost in West Michigan has 30 kittens looking for homes. Any morons in West Michigan or Northwest Indiana who are looking or know someone who is, or can at least put the word out about the kittens on social media, you know what to do.

Here is picture of babies. Link to shelter at this link. Human Harbor, West Olive, MI

https://is.gd/bVx3Po

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at May 10, 2025 03:35 PM (DIweC)

28 KTY's bf's family is sending their golden over the rainbow bridge today.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 03:35 PM (rT96s)

29 I think JRB adopted senior poodles.
I think it's such a compassionate thing to do, give a doggo a loving retirement.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 03:38 PM (rT96s)

30 Three years ago last Tuesday was when Daisy adopted us. I've told her tail before, but for those that missed it:

A couple of youngsters, brother and sister, found this smallish young dog running down the highway. No tags, no chip. They made the effort to drive around our rural area, asking if folks were missing the pup.

When they came by our place, I asked to see the dog. They opened the back hatch on their truck bed cover and this sweet doggie bounded forth and licked my face like I was an old friend. I'm not too big on face licks, but it wasn't slobbery and only one lick, so, I was amused. Told the kids, if you don't find an owner, bring her back and we might take her.

A few days later, they came back with her. She bounded out of the truck and raced up to me all waggy tail. 💞

They'd taken her to a vet, who said this was a "German Shepherd mix" of some sort. Soon after, SonM found out via the dog park that what we had was a Belgian Malinois.

A few YooToob Malinois videos and we're, like, Omigosh, what have we got ourselves into‽‽ As a couple of over-29yos, this was not the kind of dog we'd been thinking we'd get, but the Supreme Kennelmaster decided she was what we needed.

Posted by: mindful webworker - still in training at May 10, 2025 03:38 PM (b/vRQ)

31 They are also in need of supplies. If you can't adopt a baby, maybe you can send them some food or something.

https://is.gd/ehabQv

Also, my sister is looking to place a young calico cat whose owner died of cancer. Lemme know if you can halp.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at May 10, 2025 03:38 PM (DIweC)

32 Shortly after we moved here, a mostly-white kitty would come visit us on our front porch. She was very friendly and wore a collar with a name tag, but she wouldn't let us get a good look at the tag. Very wiggly. Then we didn't see her anymore.

Well, earlier this week, we went for a neighborhood walk and guess who trotted over to us! This time, I just picked her up (I don't usually force a cat to let me pick it up, but this time I took the risk) and held her until my husband could read her tag. Then her owner came out to call her home and apologetically commented about her being friendly.

Anyway, it was good to know that she's still around.

Posted by: Emmie celebrates the Audacity of Trump! at May 10, 2025 03:39 PM (Sf2cq)

33 JTB , sorry

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 03:39 PM (rT96s)

34 Our last four dogs have been senior rescues. (Due to Mrs. JTB's allergies we have to have poodles or other non-shedding breeds.) We realize that we can't keep up with a puppy anymore which isn't fair to the pup. Yeah, we know we won't have them for a long time and there will be medical expenses but the satisfaction of giving them love and comfort and sharing our lives is worth it.

Posted by: JTB at May 10, 2025 03:40 PM (yTvNw)

35 Old dogs are great. I miss my old grumpy malamute, and it's been 12 years... got him at 7 yo and he left us about 5 years later.

Posted by: tRusty Hudson at May 10, 2025 03:45 PM (ScW81)

36 WEe be does nots mind if we be pay higher taxes if it be helps Childrin of coler that is be suffering from trump policercies

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at May 10, 2025 03:49 PM (I8HuZ)

37 Precious the Bichon started having trouble with her back legs again. Walking was difficult, even just squatting to do her business. She's 17 now and we were afraid it was getting to the end. Took her to the vet, prepared for bad news. She suggested steroids which started last Wednesday. She is moving MUCH better and is generally more with it. Just a few days and she is 90 to 95 percent better. Yay, us!

Through it all, she still wanted her slice of Kraft Single cheese and knows when we are coming from the salle de fromage (i. e., kitchen).

Posted by: JTB at May 10, 2025 03:50 PM (yTvNw)

38 . . . my aunt had a couple of seal point Siamese decades ago. A bit twitchy but still, all in all, nice cats. And my last cat Buddy, who was eulogized on this thread, was a tuxedo cat.

The current set consists of an orange tabby, a classic tortoiseshell and a gray tortoiseshell. All troublemakers but tons of fun.
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 10, 2025

***
Troublemakers is right! Afternoon, all.

I've had one sandy orange cat, two orange-and-whites, two tuxedos, three blacks, a white-and-black, and three gray tabbies/torbies with varying amounts of tan and white. A even dozen. Four short hairs and the rest long or medium.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 03:54 PM (omVj0)

39 One thought is to get a dog that lives longer. Not viable if you are getting along in years and want to outlive your dog. But, as I see it, if they live longer, there are fewer partings. Longest lived dog breed that I know of is the Pomeranian. Queen Victoria liked the looks of the Pomeranian sled dog, but wanted a lap dog. So she bred them down in size, over her rather long lifetime. They still think they are sled dogs though. Also fairly stubborn. One problem to look out for is knee cap problems. The knee cap can displace to the side. A good breeding line can help avoid that. Our late Pomeranian, Sweetie-π, was as good as her name. She was a very loving dog and very sociable: she got along well with Mittens, our much younger tuxedo cat, a neutered Tom. Sweetie lived 18 years, some Poms I’m sure could live longer. If you want a working dog, well, they still think they are big enough to pull a sled, make of that what you will. Just a thought! 😎

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at May 10, 2025 03:55 PM (dR2JP)

40 I hope KT is doing better, huge prayers for her!

Posted by: Piper at May 10, 2025 03:57 PM (p4NUW)

41 My Killer Kittenz From Outer Space, Stirling (one of the black cats I mentioned above) and Dagny (one of the gray tabby/torbies), are doing well. DAgny in particular has bounced back somewhat from the flea infestation I bombed out of existence (I hope) last week. The little flea-bite crusts under her fur have faded quite a bit. And she is spending more time out in the same room with us.

Still, she's going to the shop on Wed. Even if she's aloof, as in "not a lap cat," there is no reason she should sleep on my desk in the bedroom when I'm out in the front, or sleep behind the couch. I suspect she is still not feeling 100%. After all, she's only three years old.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 03:59 PM (omVj0)

42 Thanks for filling in, MisHum. Prayers for KT.

Posted by: olddog in mo at May 10, 2025 04:00 PM (hoCmQ)

43 One of our old friends in Richmond (5 years since we left) has let my wife know they lost their Dachshund. 20 years old, which is impressive for a dog.

Posted by: Eeyore at May 10, 2025 04:05 PM (1bNHn)

44 The salmiak coat color cat looks quite nice, but again, it's not anything unusual at first glance.

Both of my cats, as I mentioned earlier on the blog, have become addicted to water from the tap. Both race into the bathroom with me, hoping to lap from the tap stream, and if I leave the tap on in the kitchen, I turn back to find a cat's muzzle attached to it. I suppose it wouldn't be a major charge on the water bill once we have our house.

They have their fountain, and use it; and I've taken to putting a fresh bowl of water out for them twice a day. Still, like human junkies, they gotta have their fix.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 04:06 PM (omVj0)

45 >>>The Fabulous and I are leaning towards adoption of an older Setter as we know their characteristics and medical issues.

Maybe you could foster an older Setter? (I have never fostered.)

Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:07 PM (CQE5S)

46 Considering my (hrm) age, these two will have to be my last kittens. If something happens to one of them at an untimely age, if I want another, it's going to be an older, more settled shelter cat.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 04:09 PM (omVj0)

47 18 I just sat down at my desk to read the Pet Thread and work on composing the Sunday Morning Book Thread.

Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 03:26 PM (GlyvH)

Good kitty!

Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:10 PM (CQE5S)

48 47 18 I just sat down at my desk to read the Pet Thread and work on composing the Sunday Morning Book Thread.

Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 03:26 PM (GlyvH)

Good kitty!
Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:10 PM (CQE5S)

I think you now know how that cat felt about the book you just read.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 10, 2025 04:11 PM (VNX3d)

49 Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025

***
The current furry thugs seem to do that only rarely. Wolf and Chekov, the previous team, seemed to leave me such a gift -- usually on the carpet, naturally -- about every two or three weeks.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 04:12 PM (omVj0)

50 Happy Pet thread day. Having the room, time and two friends that ran animal shelters 19 dogs have found their forever homes here over the years.

It is sheer joy watching them realize they are loved

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:14 PM (NVNRw)

51 50 Having the room, time and two friends that ran animal shelters 19 dogs have found their forever homes here over the years.
Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:14 PM (NVNRw)

Wow!

Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:18 PM (CQE5S)

52 We have a pitbull mix rescue that visits us (a lot) when our eldest daughter comes home.

I believe we have trained out as much aggression as is possible.

Even so, that daughter does live alone in a slightly rough part of KC. I have no doubt that if someone broke into her apartment in the middle of night and she screamed once, then the dog would go absolutely berserker on the intruder(s).

This is a little problem at our home, because that dog has now ALSO defined our house as sacred ground that will be defended. When we have a party, she growls as guests come in the door, even after being reassured multiple times that it is OK. She has nipped at one person (that was not a "dog" person, so the dog read the behavior as sketchy).

Our only solution is to crate her when guests come over.

It is strange because she is perfectly happy, does lots of tricks, rolls over for belly rubs when I say it, and has zero aggression to anyone of the household.

IMO, she still has that "pack mentality" in the remaining feral part of her brain that says that anyone not belonging to her pack is a potential threat.

I believe pit bulls (and some other breeds) have that trait preserved in more cases.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 04:19 PM (HlyYF)

53 "They're golden retrievers, Karen. They retrieve gold. I did it for us."

; )

Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:20 PM (CQE5S)

54 Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 03:26 PM (GlyvH)

Good kitty!
Posted by: m at May 10, 2025 04:10 PM (CQE5S)

I think you now know how that cat felt about the book you just read.

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 10, 2025 04:11 PM

New ratings system for the Book Thread.

"That book was so bad, I give it three stinky hairballs!"

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 04:21 PM (HlyYF)

55 I would adopt a dog commiserate with one's own age. A puppy I would expect to live 12-15 years .

I am not looking forward to the day my kittehs leave me but I also am concerned if I should happen to leave this planet earlier than I intend and they are orphaned.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:26 PM (VofaG)

56 Pillage Idiot, I have always had aggressively protective dogs . They have been my security system. I always put them up when people are here. Two reasons being they didn't bite anyone and if they were out any stranger was fair game

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:27 PM (NVNRw)

57 Posted by: mindful webworker - still in training at May 10, 2025 03:38 PM (b/vRQ)

I hadn't read that before, mindful. That is a lovely story! Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 10, 2025 04:28 PM (bguxx)

58 Saw a Chinese crested dog on my walk. Kind of odd-looking (but not in a bad way). Very sweet, friendly little dog.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at May 10, 2025 04:28 PM (CHHv1)

59 I have never had a dog from a breeder; they have all been rescue dogs from shelters or free puppies at the corner gas station being given away from what appeared to be "not good" homes (a rescue of sorts I guess). They have all been very loving dogs and mostly mixed breeds though my latest, Bruno, looks to be pure pittbull. My lab mix, Racer has some anxiety issues but nothing too bad to handle. I had to have my older pittbull mix put down last Nov as she was 16 and could no longer swallow food without choking.
Having has good success with rescues, my vote would be to give a rescue dog a chance at happiness.

Posted by: James at May 10, 2025 04:28 PM (riopl)

60 Pit Bulls are probably not that much more innately aggressive than other breeds . It's just that it's like being shot by a different caliber . From a BB to a 44 Magnum. A Pit Bull is a .50 caliber.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:31 PM (VofaG)

61 I always wanted a Rhodesian Ridgeback if I lived on a ranch.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:33 PM (VofaG)

62 polynikes, I know what you mean. A few years ago I tried to purchase a Scottish Deerhound because they are short lived. I was rejected because I would not agree to crate a fog that size. My dogs live with me and my house is their crate or if need be they can be in a stall.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:34 PM (NVNRw)

63 Irish Setters are gorgeous, but some decades back they were inbred to an almost Hapsburgian idiocy. Every Irish Setter I met was a total spaz.

Are they better now?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 10, 2025 04:37 PM (kpS4V)

64 Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:34 PM (NVNRw)

We never crated any of our dogs. Of course I grew up when there was no such thing as leash laws either.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:39 PM (VofaG)

65 MisHum, my opinion no pit bull or pit bull mix, just my opinion based on what I've seen.

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 04:40 PM (LHPAg)

66 I will not have a Pitt bull under any circumstances. The last time I gave one a chance he attacked one my horses.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:40 PM (NVNRw)

67 What is the cause of hairballs?

Long hair?

My cat, going on 14 year old, never coughs up hairballs.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:40 PM (ZmEVT)

68 I take my Paisley for rides with the sunroof open. She enjoys the opportunity to sing the song of her people on the sidewalk.

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at May 10, 2025 04:40 PM (kTd/k)

69 Doggy's crate is for his meals
When it was bigger he would also nap there but since we switched it to the travel type crate he doesn't have enough space with the plate still in there

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 04:41 PM (rT96s)

70 Back in the 60's, tuna came packed in oil. My mom would squeeze the oil on to the dry cat food.

She claimed it helped them cough up hairballs.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:42 PM (ZmEVT)

71 He.

Female Pit bulls are so loving and protective.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:42 PM (ZmEVT)

72 Naturally, I discovered--the hard way--that one of my cats left me a present in the form of a recently coughed-up hairball under my desk...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 03:26 PM (GlyvH)
----

This week's theme: evil cats in fiction.

Alternate: books that made me hork.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 10, 2025 04:44 PM (kpS4V)

73 no one of consequence, my kitties are 9 this year and have never coughed up a hairball either.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:44 PM (NVNRw)

74 She claimed it helped them cough up hairballs.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:42 PM (ZmEVT)

I think it helps them pass it otherwise. That's what the hairball treats are supposed to do.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:44 PM (VofaG)

75 I thought you had at least one aggressive dog. Bet they help you sleep comfortably at night!

I was just typing up our little experience to help MisHum with one of his daughter's dogs.

P.S.

I used to work away from home for 5-6 days at a time when my wife was home with toddlers. We only had Brittanys then, and they would not have harmed a flea. However, they were very smart and alert, high energy dogs. They would bark like Satan was in the vicinity if any human came onto our property. My wife had plenty of warning to grab her 12 gauge if things had ever escalated from there.

In every survey I have ever read of burglars that were interviewed while in jail, the guys have said there are only two things they fear for breaking into homes: 1.) Dogs 2.) Armed homeowners.

I think those two items are a perfect pairing!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 04:45 PM (HlyYF)

76 My sister kitteh does hair logs but her brother hasn't never had a hair ball to my knowledge.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:46 PM (VofaG)

77 Darn it, forgot to type "Ben Had," at the top of #75.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 04:48 PM (HlyYF)

78 Pillage Idiot, absolutely. My German Shepard lays at the gate when I am gone. He is a great deterrent.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:48 PM (NVNRw)

79 Ben Had

When I think ranch dogs, I think Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd or if you're into very large dogs, a Boerboel (Soth African lion dog). One issue with Guardian breeds is if it's after dark, they're gonna bark. My 2 current dogs are Pyrenees/Anatolian mixes. Mom and one of her pups. I can't even begin to imagine either dog in an urban environment. The pup came back to live with us for that very reason.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 04:50 PM (Uzn0I)

80 This week's theme: evil cats in fiction.

Alternate: books that made me hork.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 10, 2025 04:44 PM (kpS4V)
---
I can think of some evil cats in fiction..."Tailchaser's Song" by Tad Williams, for instance, has a number of very evil cats serving an evil cat "god."

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025 04:51 PM (GlyvH)

81 The current furry thugs seem to do that only rarely. Wolf and Chekov, the previous team, seemed to leave me such a gift -- usually on the carpet, naturally -- about every two or three weeks.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 04:12 PM (omVj0)

We've been pretty lucky on that front. I comb the cats out regularly and they only rarely cough up a hairball. And with half the house being uncarpeted, sometimes that works out as well.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at May 10, 2025 04:52 PM (/HDaX)

82 KT a prayer for complete and speedy recovery

Mrs. F. decided after our doggeh died that she was allergic to dogs.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 04:52 PM (RIvkX)

83 I was visiting my brother and SiL. They foster dogs to socialize them and make them suitable for adoption. After 3 days, Penny (a brindle Pit bitch) was just so loving to me that I said "I would love to take you home. Let me talk to my wife about it."

My brother and SiL drove 500 miles to bring her to us. She was so wonderful. My wife needed a visiting nurse. I had to be there. Penny would not let anyone near my wife if they were not "in the pack."

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:53 PM (ZmEVT)

84 Bolt had evil cats and an eventually good cat.

Damn I love that movie more than an adult should.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 04:53 PM (VofaG)

85 We've had pretty good success with 2nd hand dogs. Only a couple from shelters, some from CL or newspaper ads, or a friend of a friend can't keep their dog anymore. I'm not a dog trainer type and I wouldn't want to take on a puppy time wise even if I felt like I could do a great job teaching them to be a good dog.

Posted by: PaleRider at May 10, 2025 04:54 PM (bP/i4)

86 I put Penny in my wife's brother's pool.

Unlike Labs, pits drop like a rock.

Quick reaction of my part. Pulled her out and never did that again.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:56 PM (ZmEVT)

87 I take my Paisley for rides with the sunroof open. She enjoys the opportunity to sing the song of her people on the sidewalk.
Posted by: Northernlurker
________

I've had Great Danes. They'd put their paws on the console between the seats with head out the sunroof. Looked like the dog was driving a clown car.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at May 10, 2025 04:57 PM (UBKzV)

88 Damn I love that movie more than an adult should.
Posted by: polynikes

One of my 2 favorite kid movies. The Incredibles being the other.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 04:57 PM (Uzn0I)

89 Crating dogs is something I never heard of growing up, along with "play dates" and adult supervision of every damn thing.

We were all more free range back in the day.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 10, 2025 05:00 PM (kpS4V)

90 Sock Monkey, at one time I had four Irish Wolfhounds. I really like the GP/Anatoliain cross. I spent a long time researching the Fila Brasileiro but I had to pass because they are like a cocked gun with no safety.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:00 PM (NVNRw)

91 Jake loves his crate. It's his little cave where he feels safe. I seldom shut him up in it. It's in the bedroom and he typically spends part of the night there. When I was getting ready to move, I hadn't even thought about the crate, till I noticed he kept glancing over at it. So it and the pad were packed and moved too.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 10, 2025 05:04 PM (AcTAo)

92 All Hail Eris, I could not/ would not survive in an urban environment .

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:05 PM (NVNRw)

93 Take proper care of your Ewoks:
https://shorturl.at/4AGjC

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at May 10, 2025 05:09 PM (Vqx30)

94 92 All Hail Eris, I could not/ would not survive in an urban environment .
Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:05 PM (NVNRw)
Me neither. I know people.

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:10 PM (LHPAg)

95 Notsothoreau, crating for some dogs is not a problem but a Deerhound is almost 3 ft tall and 180 lbs.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:11 PM (NVNRw)

96 Take proper care of your Ewoks:
https://shorturl.at/4AGjC
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at May 10, 2025 05:09 PM (Vqx30)

Wow. Someone caught a recent photo of Ace?

Posted by: Hour of the Wolf at May 10, 2025 05:12 PM (VNX3d)

97
Am I a dog snob? I love the Sporting Breed dogs. And have always loved Setters. Although I have never owned a Gordon Setter or an English Setter I would have no problem having either one in my home.

_________

When we lived in Ohio, the Delaware (OH) shows were in the fall and always had a Labrador specialty in an outdoor ring. One year it was raining to beat the band, windy and in the 40s. The judge and exhibitors were frozen and wet through. The dogs thought it was great.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 10, 2025 05:12 PM (QnmlO)

98 I spent a long time researching the Fila Brasileiro but I had to pass because they are like a cocked gun with no safety.
Posted by: Ben Had

I considered a Boerboel before I got Sweet Pea, my GP/Anatolian. I had multiple conversations with the breeder. That was the exact description he used. I've had a big dog before. Great Dane/Black Lab, 160 lbs. He was as gentle as they come but he had a protective, fierce side also. I give a great deal of respect to that breeder because he was very selective about where his pups went. I made the right choice.

Posted by: Sock Monkey * poorly trained emotional support moron at May 10, 2025 05:13 PM (Uzn0I)

99 Unlike Labs, pits drop like a rock.

Quick reaction of my part. Pulled her out and never did that again.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:56 PM

My middle daughter also has a pit-mix rescue.

We took her to the farm when she was young, and she started doing the funny head tilts as we neared the creek.

It turns out that the water was flowing at a high enough rate that the creek was actually babbling. It even had some bubbles running with the current after the water went over a baby waterfall.

She took one look at that and leapt into the creek to grab some of the moving foam. I think she thought the water surface was going to be solid, and had a brief shocked look on her face when she went INTO the water.

She immediately popped up and starting chasing foam, running up the bank to invite us to join her, and then leaping back into the creek.

We did have to buy a Walmart kiddie pool for her own backyard, since she has always loved the water since then.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:19 PM (HlyYF)

100 That meme with the dogs talking about their rescue humans could be my experience. I may owe my life to Paisley. Sometimes I don't think I deserve her.

Posted by: Northernlurker , Maple Syrup MAGA at May 10, 2025 05:20 PM (kTd/k)

101 I can picture it Hadrian. My dad acquired a Chesapeake Bay retriever. Dolly came over while dad was working under his trailer and of course he petted her "well I was under the trailer, of course I was wanted to keep things friendly". Yeah dad, it was just that and not that you were a big softy. Dad didn't do a lot of bird hunting but Dolly loved it when he did, she'd break ice to bring back a goose. A neighbor a mile or so away had raised Dolly and given her to his sister, but Dolly exceeded the pet size limit where his sister lived. We didn't keep Dolly initially, we had two other dogs at the time, but she kept coming over until my mom was tired of taking her back.

Posted by: PaleRider at May 10, 2025 05:23 PM (bP/i4)

102 99 Unlike Labs, pits drop like a rock.

Quick reaction of my part. Pulled her out and never did that again.

Posted by: no one of any consequence

Shiba Inus as well, poor guy! We got him a life jacket and will work on learning to swim over the summer.

Posted by: Piper at May 10, 2025 05:23 PM (p4NUW)

103 95 Notsothoreau, crating for some dogs is not a problem but a Deerhound is almost 3 ft tall and 180 lbs.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:11 PM

I built a custom crate for my dogs. The top is a sanded piece of 4x8 plywood and serves as my workbench.

My two dogs could sleep touching when it was cool in the house and sleep apart when it was hot.

My tools are frequently dusty and/or have some dog hairs on them.

Not a problem on my tools. I enjoy pet hairs on my silverware MUCH less!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:23 PM (HlyYF)

104 Reminder that BluebirdOfBitterness.com has regular Caturday posts. One of them today is "Mother’s Day weekend edition" —furry family fotos of momcats & kits.

Posted by: mindful webworker - house trained at May 10, 2025 05:25 PM (b/vRQ)

105 86 I put Penny in my wife's brother's pool.

Unlike Labs, pits drop like a rock.

Quick reaction of my part. Pulled her out and never did that again.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 04:56 PM (ZmEVT)
Don't you know how to set the buoyancy on your dog?

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:28 PM (LHPAg)

106
Sporting breed: "Great day for hunting! Let's play two!"

Hound: "Can I go back to sleep?"

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 10, 2025 05:29 PM (QnmlO)

107 Addendum to Daisy adopting us story:

All the dogs we've had have found us. All wandered up, except Daisy who got driven up. We never had to house-train any of them.

Daisy was the youngest we ever got, but even she was house-trained when we got her. I do often wish we'd had her when she was a young pup, but don't miss the house-training part.

Posted by: mindful webworker - house trained at May 10, 2025 05:30 PM (b/vRQ)

108 Hadrian, an Aussie says " you will fit in that corner"

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 05:30 PM (NVNRw)

109 HOBBY NOOD IS UPSTAIRS

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 05:31 PM (ypFCm)

110 Don't you know how to set the buoyancy on your dog?

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:28 PM

None of our rescues came with auxiliary compressed air tanks.

Y'all must have some really fancy shelters down in Texas!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:33 PM (HlyYF)

111 I know, I've seen Scottish Deerhounds at dog shows. I was responding more to that post of how crates used to be uncommon.

Jake spent his puppy years in a yard by himself, and likely with an abusive person. It's taken a lng time to get him to respond to people they way that a socialized dog would do. He hides under my desk, much like he hides in his crate.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at May 10, 2025 05:33 PM (AcTAo)

112 0 Don't you know how to set the buoyancy on your dog?

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:28 PM

None of our rescues came with auxiliary compressed air tanks.

Y'all must have some really fancy shelters down in Texas!
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:33 PM (HlyYF)
Remind me in October to explain dog buoyancy, PI.

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:36 PM (LHPAg)

113 106 Sporting breed: "Great day for hunting! Let's play two!"

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at May 10, 2025 05:29 PM

I had a female Brittany that would bonk (get wobbly due to low blood sugar) because she would literally hunt until she collapsed.

I used to make her peanut butter sandwiches and feed her every two hours.

She would not take a sandwich from my hand if I was still standing. I would have to prop up my shotgun and sit on the ground. I think her brain would then allow,

"Oh, the boss is taking a quick break from hunting? I guess it would be OK for me to also take a quick break!
Gimme the sandwich, but then are we going again to find the birds?"

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:39 PM (HlyYF)

114 Whiskey my Golden Retriever loves to go swimming in the ocean, but he will not go in a pool. When I take him to the beach, I have to keep him on a long retractable leash because he goes too far out in the water. He will also lay down in every puddle he sees.

Posted by: IrishEi at May 10, 2025 05:39 PM (3ImbR)

115 I can think of some evil cats in fiction..."Tailchaser's Song" by Tad Williams, for instance, has a number of very evil cats serving an evil cat "god."
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at May 10, 2025

***
I know of one very memorable short story by Theodore Sturgeon.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at May 10, 2025 05:40 PM (omVj0)

116 Remind me in October to explain dog buoyancy, PI.

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 05:36 PM

They don't work like submarines?

P.S. Can't wait to see you at the next MoMe.

How is your voice (and health) going under your new protocols?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at May 10, 2025 05:41 PM (HlyYF)

117 Toby is officially the neighbors dog. Dad had gone to the shelter and wanted to adopt Toby but when he filled out the question sheet dad put "put the dog in the yard" for what will you do when you are gone. Toby was in the shelter because of being an escape artist from his owners yard. So dad told the neighbors the sad story of not getting his dog and they went to the shelter and put "leave the dog in the house" for that question and brought Toby home for dad. P was saying at dad's memorial he got home and Toby jumped out of the vehicle and took off, but luckily Toby ran right to dad. He had decided he was rescuing dad.

Posted by: PaleRider at May 10, 2025 05:43 PM (bP/i4)

118 And at that time P was renting from his FiL who had moved to Alaska; they have since bought the place, so S had to text her parents to "just say yes we can have another dog when the shelter calls and asks."

Posted by: PaleRider at May 10, 2025 05:48 PM (bP/i4)

119 Kiddie pool. What a great idea.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at May 10, 2025 05:58 PM (ZmEVT)

120 ...I tried to purchase a Scottish Deerhound because they are short lived. I was rejected because I would not agree to crate a fog that size. My dogs live with me and my house is their crate or if need be they can be in a stall.
Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 04:34

BH, there was a Scottish Deerhound that showed up at the dog park here, beautiful dog. The gal had to go to Scotland to get it. She also had a Russian Wolfhound.

Too bad it didn't work out. I would think a stall would work for a crate for a dog that size.

It's amazing you helped 19 dogs to have some love.

Posted by: Farmer, with his own historical take at May 10, 2025 08:02 PM (55Qr6)

121 Lab lover here. If you have a lab you know some facts.
They are big but think they are lap dog size
They will eat anything
They just want to be with you
They love water…if there is water around (or mud) they will be in it
There is nothing they will not fetch
Going for a ride is the best time…with the window open
Bird hunting is life but fishing is pretty good too
Kids in the house =best friends
They just want to help

Posted by: rocdoctom at May 10, 2025 09:31 PM (y0d3M)

122 On behalf of all Karens...oh nevermind

Posted by: Fen at May 10, 2025 11:13 PM (ciYHQ)

123 Move into new house is done. Now comes the hard part.

Wife says 2 kittens. I say 3.

Wife says 2 will gang up on 1.

I say so what, but ...its not wise to anger wife.

What do you guys think?

Posted by: Fen at May 10, 2025 11:18 PM (ciYHQ)

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