In the video, the little grey and white kitten is getting tickled (and trying for some finger nibbles), but when the tickler throws her hand up, the kitten, surprised, follows suit.

There’s no way I could get our resident foster kittens to follow suit on this one, they’re much more interested in remaining upright and ready to pounce, as opposed to lounging on their backs getting tickles. Oh well!

The only problem with the video is that it’s only 17 seconds long!

Post from: Blisstree

Video: Surprised Kitten

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

Post from: Blisstree

Dogs vs. Cats – Which Pet to Get?

We have 5 adult cats. Mom enjoys the fact that usually there’s at least one to sit on her lap or to sleep with her nightly or whenever she takes a nap.

My mother, who was never overly fond of cats, became quite attached to one as her Alzheimer’s developed.  When we had to move her to our home, 275 miles from where she was living, my husband suggested we bring her cat.  That did help Mother settle better here and was something familiar for her.

However, don’t feel badly if you can’t have pets for your Alzheimer’s patient.  You will be the one to care for them, so it may be more than you can undertake.  Also, the animal may be overwhelming to the patient as they become advanced in their condition, as I’ll discuss in my next post.

(Adam Hersh image a Amazon)

Post from: Blisstree

The Soothing Appeal of Pets for Alzheimer’s Patients