Pets...how much to you think they should be pampered?
@Perspectives (7131)
Canada
December 6, 2007 10:24pm CST
With the holidays fast approaching many people give pets as gifts. We are pet owners and admittedly our pets are quite pampered but some people's standards...not so much by those who really, really pamper their pets. By that I mean those who take them for spa days, dress them up, have a sitters for them even for just a few hours. Ours are not that pampered.
However, the fact that we have two 70 pound dogs that are mostly indoor dogs over the winter and five cats that are always in the house. As a point of comparison we live in a largely agricultural community and many around here thing we are a little crazed to have so many animals as indoor pets. They have been altered so they won't breed.
We have a 2,000 square foot multi-level house that the cats have the run of. The dogs don't like climbing the spiral staircase so they stay downstairs. They have a big yard to run around in during the summer and we walk them during the winter. They have good quality food, toys and all the animals are with us most of the time because we work from home. So just like most things in life everything is relative to the lens we view things through.
Anyway, I am curious to hear what your views are about pet owners and how much or how little you think pets should be pampered whether you have any of your own or not. I have posted a photo of some of our cats.
Always good chatting. I've been busy with work and holiday plans and haven't been here as much. I plan to post a few more discussions to stay in touch before things get busy over the Christmas season. Miss chatting...but do plan to keep in touch and this topic is a start. If you choose to add photos I will rate and comment on them all and will add more photos of our pampered pooches and cats with my responses to you. Love to share ideas about pets and their owners and look forward to hearing your views on this one.
Cheers,
Raia
2 people like this
8 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Dec 07
We have 3 cats. Although we tend to buy them things that bring us joy to share with them, we don't go all out like some people I know. They have more little mice toys in this house, but where they are is beyond me!
I know people who have climbers for their cats, scratching posts, tons of toys, and spend oodles of money on gourmet food. Ours live comfortably. We enjoy their company and they let us live with them too.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Your babies are adorable! I love the fuzy grey one. I wish mine would sit close enough together so I could get a photo of them.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Hi my friend...good to hear from you. I haven't been around as much due to work commitments and miss chatting with valued friends like you. Hope your holiday plans are coming along well. David and I are enjoying the season and looking forward to seeing friends and having a contemplative Christmas and celebrating how much things have improved since this time last year.
Anyway, sounds like your cats have a life similar to the ones ours do. We give them good food, clean litter, lots of love and they reciprocate in kind. The two dogs and five cats get along amazing well. I have included a photo of some of ours. This photo is of two of the males..Nova, Tee-Tooh are the beige and ginger one..Ellie is a gray female. They were a little younger in this photo and all are just over a year now. Here they were lying on a favorite blanket on the couch in our great room.
Your participation here is always appreciated...thanks for your friendship. Wishing you and yours many light filled blessings.
Raia
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Dec 07
Hi again..and thanks for you warm response to the photo. I know what you mean about them not staying still long enough to get them all together. Hope you don't mind but I am a photo-fanatic...a true blue shutter bug and have soooooo many photos of our pets that it is fun to share them with other pet lovers. I am always happy to see other people's snapshots so you are welcome to post them here anytime. I always rate and comment because I appreciate the extra time and effort it takes to add visual images.
So here goes...our three males waiting to be fed on top of our freezer. We have to keep the cat food off the floor because the dogs vacumn it up in one big munching sweep! lol In a second post I have added one of our two girls...Nexus is the black one...Ellie is the gray. If you notice the sign over the freezer it says how we feel...as do many other multiple cat owners...they are like potato chips...you can't have one! Sure true in our case.
Good keeping in touch..I'll pop over to your site once I catch up here.
Love and big, warm fuzzy hugs to you!
Raia
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Our 75 lb dog is very spoiled, but not to the point of doggy spa or anything, and I don't dress her up. lol. But she has the run of the house while we are gone, she is very good and never gets into anything. She does get outside everyday, when we get home and we take her to the woods near our house to run. She does have her own throw blanket in the living room, as do both me and my s/o. And we do buy her treats from a little shop called Sasha's, it's a doggy bakery, and Sasha is always at the store to great the customers. It's funny, because he is always commenting that 'You shouldn't spoil a big dog', just a joke, since he's the one that makes her fried eggs for her food every Sunday morning, lol. And her nick name as become BSR (Big Spoiled Rotten). I've included a photo, she's a Chesapeake Bay Retriever
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Thank you, your furry family members are so sweet looking, they look like they are real lovers, they are also lucky to have a good family. My s/o always tells Tinker that she won the puppy lottery, when I picked her out of the litter, because she is so spoiled. lol
Hope you and your whole family (including all the furry ones) have a very Merry Christmas too.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Hi again..
Thank you for coming back and for you kind words about our pets. I have included another one you'll probably enjoy of big wuss 'Cher Bear' as we affectionately call him with Tigger one of two ginger male cats. On this site I do my best to have a response to every response before going anywhere else. I truly value what members add and have sent you a friend request so two fellow animals lovers and pet owners can share comments in the future.
I meant to comment on the fact that I love the photo of your cutie patootie dog as your Avatar too. Yes, I am sure she did win the doggy lottery when you chose her to be a part of your family.
Once again all the best to you and yours and I look forward to chatting again.
Raia
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Greetings palonghorn...and thanks for your addition and great photo! I rated it a plus but could not leave a comments because we are not on each other's friends list. I requested you so I could add something. When photos are included anywhere I always make a point of rating and commenting when possible because I appreciate the little extra time it takes to add them.
You have a great looking dog there...very majestic. She sounds very well behaved and cared for and is fortunate to have such a good home. Our approach with our dogs is similar to yours. We leave ours in the house when we are away and they respect things too. The special dog treats sound like fun...we have a cookie jar for our dog treats too and both Tasha and Cherokee love to see the lid some off and will sit pretty or give us a shake a paw to show their appreciation. I have included a photo of our dogs for you too see....Tasha is the tan female...Cherokee the Shepherd/Husky cross male waiting for their treats.
Hope you, your family and your special furry family member have a great holiday season!
Best regards,
Raia
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Oh yes I would say our boys are pampered!
as they are our boys just like kids they are.
We treat them like our kids for there was no little one here most of their lives now we have CHey so we have to keep her away from them for they a chows and not sure ho good they can be with her or her with them as she used to love to pull thier hair. Now she is bossy with them putting them outside and the letting them in.
I woud never ever buy them clothes to dress in they have their hair and loads of it ! I think people who take thier dogs to get toenails painted and put sweaters on them just don tknow what to do with their money and dont they know that the pets hate this!.
We talk to ours like they are poeple adn pet them and crry on with them but they dont go to no beauty shop! we bath them and bruch and when they are dry and done they like it for they strut around and Fang was the best at this one He would swish is butt and prance and every thing and when bathed and got it the sun he was so white it hurt your eyes to look at him he was so beatutiful as well as the other two.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
8 Dec 07
yes I have missed ya on here. oh what a beautiful puppy!
yesterady tring to get Coe out side I was going thru name even called him JImmy and Fang never got to Coe lol but he finally went out . have to get them out of the kitchen so Chey can come in and prowl lol
Yes I do beleive the feathers have alot of power and I touch and talk to them every day.
hugs and blessing
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Hi Lakota..good to be chatting again..I miss you when we are not in touch as much.
It is fun to read how you are with your pets...it sounds very similar to how David and I are with our animals too. You brought up a good point about brushing and bathing the dogs and how they love to strut around and wag their bottoms...our males do that when we groom them two...especially the one that was put down a couple of years ago.
Meishka was part Irish Wolfhound and Husky and was truly theatrical dog. I have included a photo of him. It is not the best one but you can see how fluffy his coat is after his bath and brushing. We still miss him...and I am sure you miss your beloved friend you had to put down too. They imprint themselves on our heart and the memories of our times with them are as special as what we have with all loved ones.
Hope your holiday plans are coming along well...and you too! Your story about using the feathers to assist your discomfort is very meaningful to me...thanks for sharing that. My prayers, candles, love and light continue to come your way.
Holiday cheer, love and blessings,
Raia
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Hi Raia I have two very spoiled cats. And I wouldnt have it any other way. My Maggie and Molly bring me such happieness and when Im sad they always somehow make me laugh. My husband and I give them alot of love and attention and I get it back in return. A happy pet is a spoiled pet!
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Greetings TerryZ...good to hear from you again. Thanks for sharing your views on pets and pampering them. I like your closing comment...and we have found that to be true too.
Pets have a lot of love to give when the chance to do so is created by their owners. Our cats have the run of the house and always find the softest, warmest, most snuggly place to sleep...and oh how well do do that! (smile)
I have included a photo of ours snuggling and sleeping as only pampered, spoiled happy cats can do. This one is of two of three male cats, Nova, Tigger and our gray female Ellie.
Hope you, your hubs and your furry family members have a happy, peaceful holiday season and a great new year!
Cheers,
Raia
@keminem001 (779)
• Saint Lucia
7 Dec 07
i have a pet dog and i give him lots of love. the answer to this discussion is up to you. you decide what you want to do with your pet. after all you own it. just treat it good and show it lots of love.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Hi and thanks for dropping by to add your views to the topic. I think you have said it all in all in a great summation. Yes, it is up to each pet owner to decide for themselves how pampered they want their pets to be...and yes the key thing is to make sure that they are treated well and given lots of love.
That sure works for me!
Hope you and your dog enjoy a long, happy, healthy life together.
Best regards,
Raia
@butterfly39 (3904)
• Philippines
8 Dec 07
hey Raia, well we should take care pet animals as human too by feeding them, bathing them, play with them of course...it's too painful to see some people who just ignore their pets...and I know few of them here in our country.
I really like your dogs...thanks
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Dec 07
Hello again dear one...good to have you here. I agree with you about how painful it is to hear, read about our see animals that are not properly cared for or abused whether they are domesticated or in their natural habitat.
Thanks for your comments about our dogs...I have a cute photo of Tasha with her eyes closed as we snapped the picture. Hope you enjoy it too!We will keep in touch...my thoughts and support at with you. Blessings my friend.
Raia
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
7 Dec 07
I don't believe in pampering pets. It is not natural.
I believe in total freedom... both for humans and animals. Humans have no right to interfere with the freedom of animals for their own satisfaction.
My cat is 110% free to do whatever he wants.
My role consist of feeding him... patch him up when he comes back home after a fight... and pat him when he jumps on my laps... asking for a pat.
You should never pick up a cat because you want him on your laps. You should let him come to you. You don't own the cat. It is not your slave. You have to respect him and his natural instincts.
Dogs are a little more difficult... as you cannot let them on the street. However... a lot of people treat their dogs like children. I find it a bit sickening. Some dogs eat better food that many people can afford for themselve. I am not saying that people cannot feed their dog whatever they like. It is just that... it is simply sickening from my point of view... laugh.
Now don't get me started on people who cut the hair of their animals... make clothes for them... etc... or I am going to puke... laugh...
Now Ria... on a personal note... how about answering a few of my questions... laugh...
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Hmmm...answering some of your questions...what are you wanting to ask? (smile) Are you talking about questions on your site and discussions? Or is there something else you want to ask about? You can ask away...whether I will answer is another matter! lol
Now enough of the banter and on to the topic. Thanks for being first out of the gate. I was just about to head downstairs and spend some time with my sweets before going to bed when I saw your post and had to respond before signing off because I do appreciate your support of my site. We've been busy with work and holiday planning and I've hardly been here, on your site or anywhere else in Mylot Land. Hopefully there will be more time into the new year.
Sooooo having had a little catch up..I agree with you about never forcing pets to show affection or attention on our terms. Cats are far to independent and self-contained for that. And in regard to dressing them up...oh yes I am in agreement with you on this one too. I cannot fathom why people do that either.
So good response...fun chatting and kibitzing with you as always.
Take care and we'll chat soon and I will pop over to see what you've been posting in the next couple of days.
Cheers...signing off now
Raia
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
7 Dec 07
hello again, my friend. missed chatting with you. I only have one pet, and she's a dog. The truth is, I'm not really good with pampering pets. I mean, I'm not the type of person who would go to such great lengths to do so. But I do take care of Ashley's needs. I feed her, give her a bath when she desperately needs it, lol! And I call the vet when she's sick. But other than that, I don't do anymore. Oh, before I forget, Ashley has the freedom to roam around our yard. For a big dog like her, she runs like the wind. :)
I've always been amazed with people who pampers their pets with accessories. Things you have mentioned. And I guess, we pet owners have our own style of taking care of them.
My father who lives alone in our old apartment, has three cats, I think. And he told me that usually he buys food for them, more than he buys food for himself.
Anyway, nice chatting with you again. And I'm sorry if I haven't got the chance to reply to your email.
Take care!
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Dec 07
Good to hear from you...I sent a thank you for the thoughtful comments you keep sending. I am not concerned about your response to my e-mail..I accept that you are busy. I haven't been here as much but hope to have a little more time as we work less over the holidays. You let me know that we are friends by your considerate comments and messages.
Anyway, your dog sounds like she has a good life. The care for our animals is like yours good food, a good home, companionship and a safe harbor...they appear to be happy with that. Our cats appear more pampered because they always find a soft, cozy warm place to sleep...so in a way they pamper themselves! (smile)
Anyway your addition to the topic is always appreciated...thanks for keeping in touch as you can. Wishing you and yours the best of the season and a new year filled with positive outcomes.
Raia
