When I think of all the money we pour into our pets I can understand why some people think pet owners are nuts. There are the vet bills, the special food (for the cat's urinary problems) the treats and toys, the food, the blankets and leashes, the food, the dishes and collars, and the food! I sometimes think that though I don't spend much money on clothing, jewelry or make-up, my luxury items are my pets and I spend a wallop on them!!
Then there is the effort that it takes to have animals. The dog has to be walked at least once a day, hopefully twice (for Choco, hopefully three times!) I constantly check out the window to see if Choco is sleeping peacefully or else I'm shushing her up and telling her to sleep peacefully! The cats have to be given equal share of love and petting and they demand attention time when I'm cooking, teaching, and sewing! Do I even mention the amount of vacuuming I do, the cat balls on the stairs, the three cat boxes?
Then there is the damage control! Choco barks too much so we have to find a place where she won't disturb the neighbors. She digs so we buy gravel and part of Tetsu's morning routine is to refill the holes Choco has made the day before. She rips up blankets and pillows that we provide for her comfort so there is yard clean-up.
And the cats! You cannot believe how we have to do fix-up for the cats! They've scratched furniture so that everything has to be hidden under throw covers. They completely put holes in the walls. (I got to put in paneling to hide the damage!) They "ate" a hole in the linoleum when we locked them up in the bathroom one time (I had someone put in a new floor for me!) 
And to this day, the cats continue to attack the corners of all the rooms so Tetsu has put up interesting wooden slats that cover the scratched away areas. The slats are inter-changeable so when one piece of wood is destroyed we can just hammer up a new piece of wood. I'm not saying we've done this all last week. These are projects and problems that we've "solved" over the years. You can see that for our family at least, having animals leads to a lot of headaches.
This weekend I felt sorry for Choco because as it turns colder she is left in a yard that gets no sun.
"Tetsu, don't you think you could move her doghouse a little so that she can enjoy the sun for part of the day?" So he moved and I directed."No, put the house on the other side of the kennel. How about bricks in front of the dog house so that she has a terrace? Maybe you should cut back the tree so that she gets more light. Are you sure she isn't going to get wet if it rains?"
Tetsu was grumbling that I spend a lot more time thinking about the comfort of our animals than I do about his.
For all of that I wouldn't be without a dog or cat (or two or three or four or five) for all the money in the world. They bring a smile to my face on the gloomiest days and I really believe animals have calming powers! (Tell me that when I'm out chasing Choco or yelling at a cat to stay away from the dinner table!)
13 comments:
But there is scientific evidence that having pets around you will make you feel better, happier, and lower your blood pressure (sometimes you may doubt that)! And Choco is your personal trainer taking care of your exercise program. So overall you will be healthier and save money on your health insurance and doctor bills! Have a nice day ;-).
oh I hear ya. yes, they are an expense, but well worth it. and worth the aggravation. (Howler has been marking the sofa like crazy with all the company here. at least I've learned where to place towels, so he just gets those and not the upholstery) great photos of your sweeties.
Preach it, Sister!!!! We put several hundred dollars into Bodacious last week -- he had a blocked urethra. But what can you do -- we let these animals into our hearts and hence into our checkbooks. He's Joe's cat, but with Joe out of town, he's been so sweet to me these past few days.
I completely understand about the cat upkeep. I wouldn't have it any other way. The love and support these cats provide is very valuable and a comfort to me. I have two inside and one inside/outside.
Have you thought about scratching posts in your house? We have about five scratching stations. So not too much furniture damage.
Oh yes, expensive and frustrating at times, but ultimately worth it and you can't imagine your life without them. Um, wait, souds like children to me :0),
I don't have any pets - for the reasons you mentioned - although I have been tempted to get a dog.
I heard on the radio that there is a device that is sold by skymiles - or something like that (the company one that sells stuff on planes, but you can get it online) that emits a high pitch noise when a dog barks. People can't hear the sound, but dogs apparently don't like the sound, and it is supposed to make them stop barking. I think it is called Bark Stop.
Hi, I have 5 cats, all inside. I have found they like a flat scratching post, not the kind they reach up to. I know cats like to scratch on trees upright, but if you try a flat piece of board wrapped in some rope and lay it on the floor, it will work.
I was just thinking about the same thing the other day. Roogrr went up into the woods while I was away and DH couldn't find him for three hours. Even though he was back home when I returned home, I was crying thinking of him going missing. I worry about the dogs a lot and sometimes wonder if it is worth it. But the daily love and affection I get from them and feel towards them is worth it. The worst part is when they have to leave us forever. There just HAVE to be dogs in heaven!!
This is a great post. You are like me...
Last week I put a small rug on the stair of the front door for the cats, when they are waiting in the morning to come in....
In our house are 3 scratching trees for the cats and 2 litterboxes and many beds and baskets and plaids...
Sometimes I also think the animals lives here too well.
Thank you for sharing these photos :-)
Tanya, I am tracking down a color copy and the rough draft of design on graph paper for the quilt you were interested. If you will send me your mail address. Will try to post from the states as soon as I get there. :o) Colleen
We love our dogs & wouldnt be without them! I have suggested a cat, but Gom says no. I must admit, it is expensive having animals, but they are worth every cent!
This made me chuckle as I can relate. The slats on the corners of the rooms is a very clever solution to all the scratching. I especially love the picture of Choco on the picnic table!
I can relate, Chesty had a reaction to his vaccination yesterday so I've been worrying about him and comforting him all day.
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