Remember the Simon’s Cat animations that illustrate what life is like living with a cat?

Simon has created another animation, this time featuring his “sister’s dog.” The line-drawn pup sits patiently (and at times not so patiently!) under the family dinner table waiting for scraps to fall or be directed his way. With each bite he gets bigger and bigger until he’s unable to make an escape when the time comes.

Our dog Honey is like this — in fact, we call her out little Hoover sometimes because she ZIPS across the room if she so much as suspects food has hit the floor. She’s also been known to beg, which is something that drives me nuts and we try to discourage as much as possible. Since we don’t know her history prior to being with us, and her existing weight issues at the time as well, we can only assume she was treated like a little puppy princess in her younger years!

Chip, on the other hand, has always know that begging isn’t acceptable and we were able to train him early on to not eat something that’s dropped unless we give him the okay. What about your dogs? Are they beggars or choosers?

This cute pooch has found a new hiding spot in his owner’s couch:

Jazz the dog’s stealthy spot seems to be a popular one - urlesque has a whole list of other pets, including cats and ferrets!

What odd places have your pets found to hide in?

Coco Conundrum struggles to free herself from the grasp of Tru!

Rick says we need a family dog. I’m a cat person. I’ve never lived with a dog. Growing up, Rick had dogs. He says every boy should have a dog, and according to him, our son is missing out.

Truman says he doesn’t want a dog until his cats “die and go up to heaven.” He worries dogs would hurt his two cats. Our cats were strays. We’re lucky to actually see them in eyeshot of Truman. They are frightened of him, and yet he adores them. He begs me to catch one so he can hold it. When he does, the cat yowls and threatens to rip him to shreds.

If we got a dog, I would be the primary caregiver. I work from home and would be spending most of the day with the pup. I would have to walk him and feed him and make sure he is potty trained. Since I’m not sure how dogs work, I told Rick I wanted to buy some books and take a class before a dog joined our family. And I gave him a distant deadline – Truman’s 6th birthday. But that deadline is drawing near.

Sweet Little Probie needs a home.

The other day the humane society brought an adorable field-breed golden retriever on Rick’s show. Probie is 13 months old and very mild tempered. And he’s adorable. Rick sent me this TwitPic of him. Over the weekend we went to the shelter and visited Probie. He was very sweet with our little boy and Truman enjoyed playing with him. Since we were about to leave town I suggested we not make any hasty decisions. And so we’re waiting. And waiting. And I suspect someone will snatch up Probie before we are (I am) ready for a dog. Which would probably be a good thing. Still, I’m just not convinced I want a dog. And Truman seems lukewarm.

After a few minutes playing with Probie, Truman’s focus immediately turned to the cats. He was smitten. Unlike our strays back home, the kittens there had been around people since birth. They were rag dolls in my son’s arms. One even purred as he slug it around.

Rick rolled his eyes. He says it’s beginning to look like we may end up with another cat rather than a new dog. I think two cats are plenty for this household. Truman says he wants a kitten. And a lizard and a bluebird and a tree snake and a fish and a mouse.

We’ve got about six months before Truman’s birthday. I’m just not sure… What do you think? Can I grow to love a dog like I love my kitties?

Photo, JWJourney

Bo, the Obama family’s new dog, made his national debut yesterday on the lawn of the White House.

The six-month old puppy was quite excited, bounding across the grass at the end of a leash held by oldest daughter Malia. President Obama is asked by one reporter “Can you believe the coverage this is getting?” to which Obama replied, “It’s spectacular!” He’s also asked where Bo will be sleeping and the President says he has a bunch of spots inside the White House, though one of them isn’t his bed!

President Obama comments in the video that the only concern they have is that apparently Porties like tomatoes, of which the Obama family is growing in their new organic garden. Little Sasha also adds that he doesn’t know how to swim, and the President says they need to be taught how to!

Bo is a Portuguese Water Dog and was chosen for his supposed hypoallergenic coat, since Malia is allergic.

The Obama family take Bo for his first walk

[image: wikipedia; White House Photo/ Chuck Kennedy]

I still can’t believe it’s April, and the middle of April to boot! That means the First Family’s much-talked about dog will be heading to its new home this week!

The selection of the dog was no easy task, and the nation was just as interested as the Obama girls to see what kind of canine would end up at the White House. After announcing during his acceptance speech in November that the girls, Malia and Sasha, had earned themselves the promised puppy, a Portuguese water dog, was finally selected in January for its supposed hypoallergenic coat.

The Obamas puppy will be coming from a kennel in Texas after it was given back to the kennel from the original family who purchased it. (So it’s being “re-homed.”) The puppy is six months old and currently named Charlie, though the First Family says they plan to rename it.

Senator Ted Kennedy will present the dog to the family, as he’s gotten several of his own dogs from the same kennel.

[source; image: wikipedia]

On a recent appearance on Leno this week, President Obama said that the family’s new dog will be coming to the White House within just the next few weeks!

The Portuguese water dog that the family picked will “be in place” by the time he returns home from a trip to Europe in early April.

A Portuguese water dog was ultimately chosen over several other breeds by the Obama family due to its apparent “hypo-allergenic” coat. However, many people — and doctors — feel that no such thing exists:

“I don’t think there is such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog,” Bowser tells WebMD.

She explains that the major allergen in dogs is a protein found in dog serum, and dogs excrete that allergen in sweat and shed it from their skin. “It also gets secreted into the saliva, and possibly a little bit in the urine,” Bowser says.

Since all dogs have that protein, no dog is completely allergy-free, according to Bowser.

What do you think?

[image: newscom]

Someone once told me that I seem to attract the down-trodden, the emotionally askew, and the slightly psychologically un-hinged.

I’m not sure how true that is, but I have had acquaintances with a fair number of folks who could have used an afternoon with Dr. Phil.

Such is the case of with the young woman who walks my dog a couple of times a week. She’s been taking care of him for several years…and she describes him as her son.

She’s married, has a homelife of her own which she needs to attend to, yet she’d rather to be at our house, then at hers…she’s even stayed overnight with the dog when my husband and I have gone away.

And I know she’s used our dog as the excuse to not be with her husband…they have issues. You can just hear their discussion…can’t go to the beach with you, I haaave to watch The Dog. They need me to watch The Dog.

Part of the problem is that because of a horrible accident, she has back problems and can’t really work…so the dog-walking money — albeit a teeny amount — helps at least with her groceries (although I suspect it’s used for beer.)

Anyway, she’s a sad and lost little soul who I feel I need to comfort and help somehow. Is that wrong? Am I an enabler in some way, by allowing her to use my dog and my life as a crutch, rather than encouraging her to get her own life in order?

Wait until my hubby hears that she would like to spend even more time at our house, cleaning it!

Actually, he doesn’t…but if I could afford it, I would certainly dress him in the finest designer attire. Actually, I wouldn’t…I’m not one of those people. But I do over-indulge my beautiful Chocolate Labrador in many other ways. Hopefully, not viewed as too psychotic. (No disrespect to those, who know who you are.)

It all started about 7 years ago, when I walked into a pet store and our eyes met. I now know that you’re not supposed to buy a dog from a pet store. (The hideous practice of backyard breeding is another post.)

His name would be Trotter, and I would spend the next 7 years educating myself about the breed, about dog handling, separation anxiety, gourmet doggie food, and how to choose between a pair of splendid shoes for myself vs. a lush sofa cover for him…(yes keeping him off the sofa is covered in the dog handling books, but I failed at that.)

I have never worked so hard at a anything in my whole life…not my career, not cooking and I dare say, sometimes not even my marriage. Why? Because I wanted Trotter’s life with us to be as fine and fulfilling as it possibly could. I wanted to understand that mystical bond between human and dog. And I wanted him to love me.

I’m not sure Trotter is able to understand love, but I think he does trust me. And I know that he always, always, always wants to be with me. Seven years later, I still melt when I look into his eyes and laugh at almost everything he does.

So, Happy Birthday Trotter…and I hope you enjoy your birthday sirloin, carrot, beef-stock and peanut butter burger. We will be having pasta.

Or how not to balance your work and personal life.

Just returned from a few days in Vegas. It was a great trip, but there were certain things that had me thinking vacation is a lot like the office. Here’s my list of observations…let me know if any of these ring true for you. Read vacation = office:

• Vacation wardrobe worries = office wardrobe worries
• Men can wear the same outfit 2 days in a row = men can wear the same outfit 2 days in a row
• Fabulous 4 inch, silver strappy sandles = just as dumb a puchase as fabulous 4 inch “winter” boots
• The large, loud, obnoxious guy at the pool = the large, loud, obnoxious head of sales
• Mani/pedi/wax before trip = mani/pedi/highlights before job interview
• Trying to get young bartender’s attention = trying to get your ad agency to pay attention
• Idea for new marketing plans at cool pool bar = idea for new kitchen design during important meeting.
• Make-up application in sofly lit hotel bathroom = make-up application in company bathroom
• Make-up results at pool = just as hopeless as make up results in flourecent office light
• Young woman with perfect hair, nails and bathing suit = new, young marketing VP with perfect hair, nails, suits and research reports
• Loud, consecutive sounds of popping soda cans and plastic wrappers on plane = chatty admin assistant who talks on phone to her boyfriend endlessly
• Sleepy airport security = sleepy security guard in company lobby
• An off-site to a fabulous destination = not a fabulous destination if your boss is there too
• Group dinner with boss at fabulous destination = group cocktails with boss after work
• Husband zones out during romantic dinner after day of gambling = husband zones out during dinner after a day of work
• Miss dog on vacation = miss dog at work.