Our beloved pets...should they stay outdoors?
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
March 6, 2009 5:18pm CST
I received this message in an email just now, authors name not given. I found it funny and delightful and hope you do too. [i]The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. However, dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, bang your head on the door, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:(1) They live here. You don't. (2) I f you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture. (3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. (4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they (1) eat less, (2) don't ask for money all the time, (3) are easier to train, (4) normally come when called, (5) never ask to drive the car, (6) don't smoke or drink, (7) don't want to wear your clothes, (8) don't have to buy the latest fashions, (9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and (10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .
[/i]
I received a lecture the other day about how dogs should not be inside the home. I was told..."when I was young and when I had my own family, it was never allowed". I argued that pets are part of the family. These days they are kept cleaner, medicated, vaccinated and so don't have to remain, generally forgotten, outside.
What are you feelings on this. Should pets remain outside?
17 people like this
48 responses
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
21 Mar 09
Oh no, here I am at the library and reading about them putting a "paw print" on our dishes to claim them was too funny, I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing too loud...Thank you for this great post on pets, they are wonderful..@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
24 Mar 09
That's funny mstickle..lol
and catlady, sounds like you have a curious cat..lol
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
22 Mar 09
One of my cats put his paw print on my tortilla today. It was before I cooked it, so I don't care. I only turned my back for 1 second. What is so interesting about raw tortilla dough that kitty wants it? He not hungry. I buy 80+ pounds of cat food a month.
2 people like this
@tenchi18ph (176)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
Wow... this is one of the post that I laugh about... It's funny but its true... as for us, our pets (Dogs) are inside of our house and they sleep beside us. When they need to pee or poo they usually call our attention such as barking and making noise for us to notice them that they need to go out and do their thing. Very Good Post.
3 people like this
@tenchi18ph (176)
• Philippines
19 Mar 09
Thanks for the warm welcome mstickle, I really do believed that the bond from human to pets makes us understand each other.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
•
7 Mar 09
That is so funny Tickle! I cannot imagine my Tia being left outside - she would cry and meow til we let her in! lol The thing about the stairs and the bathroom made me laugh so hard snot came out my nose as every pet (of the 4 legged variety) I have ever had has done those things! lol Thanks for sharing sweety! xxxx
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
9 Mar 09
I had to blow my nose too Mo. Mine was the bathroom and the bed. My pets are huge when they stretch out and I have to leave the door open when I use the loo so Banjo can 1) Inspect and make sure that I'm doing it right 2) Encourage me with smooches 3) Decides he has to go too and so uses his tray which is just outside the door. So the two of us are there doing our business at the same time.
.1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
21 Mar 09
Dogs and cats are domestic animals. They belong in the house with their humans. Cats and dogs are cleaner than kids, yet we don't make our kids stay out all the time. So why should a cat or dog? If a kid goes 2 or 3 days without a bath they are filthy and stink, but not dogs. One of my dogs hasn't had a bah since last summer. She's still clean. I only bathe her in summer to cool her down. She doesn't really need it. The other gets 2 or 3 baths a year when she gets her hair cut at the groomer. If she didn't need hair cuts she wouldn't get more than 1 bath a year. Needless to say cats never need baths unless they get into something outside. They stay clean.
2 people like this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
22 Mar 09
My dogs don't smell, so I don't bathe them. They are mostly inside. I let them out a bit to run in the yard and we go on walks, but they don't live outside. Since they sleep with me, I would know if they smelled.
@mermaidivy (15394)
• United States
6 Mar 09
No No No. I would never put my pets outside not even if he has a pet house. I think we can keep them at home and just make sure everything is clean. I think keeping them outside is too cruel and they will be very miserable.
2 people like this
@beachstarz (1092)
• United States
7 Mar 09
I have 3 big dogs . One just loves being outside . She will come in to snoop around and go right back out the front door. She even sleeps outside most of the time and thats her choice . The other two are inside most of the time and always sleep with us . The two are like velcro they are always at our side . When we leave the house for something they are usually outside . We have a big wall and front gate so there is no way of them getting out of the yard . Other wise they pretty much are free to be where they want to be .
2 people like this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
Yes, that's right, some animals love being outside. My Lucy loves to see what is goinf on. I have a huge block and she can go to different parts and see lots of things happeningI have high fences and locked gates so she and my goats are safe. The cat likes to go out but he has to be kept in because of a mean neighbour. He would spend most of his time inside but liked to be with the other critters outside too.
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
12 Mar 09
Cute message that you have there, thank you for sharing!
As for keeping dogs outside. If there is adequate shelter, with a door to keep from rain and wind from going in but so the dog can enter and exit on it's own free will, consistent fresh water and regular feeding required.
On the other hand, it really does depend on the dog.
My Yorkie would die if she was left outside, unattended and especially during the cold and over night. She has no undercoat. A Yorkie have hair like you and I and can not tolerate cold.
There are the Eskimo sled dogs and well they can easily tolerate being out doors but not forgotten. They still need exercise, discipline, food and water.
It really depends on the dog. Some can tolerate the cold and some simply can not.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
31 Mar 09
Exactly. If anyone brings the dogs that are bred for the Arctic, here to the West Coat, they would never survive.
Even outside!
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
12 Mar 09
You are right..it does depend on the dog. I live in a predominately hot, dry country. I think it's disgraceful that people want to own Huskies in this country...apparently they have a double layer of undercoat or something 
like that to protect them from the cold...that won't help them in this country.
like that to protect them from the cold...that won't help them in this country.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
7 Mar 09
I love it, particularly the part about the stairs not being designed by NASCAR LOL, And I'm pretty sure my dog knew sarcasm very well lol. As for pets staying in the house, I have never had an outside dog, I tried once.....I was afraid the neighbors were going to call the cops and complain I was abusing her! She howled, loudly! until I let her inside........and then life was good, well, her's was. lol
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
7 Mar 09
My ex's parents had a dog one time when he was younger, and in order for his mom to get into bed, if the dog was already there, he had to ring the doorbell. The dog would run downstairs, of course, to find out that no one was there LOL Otherwise, his mom would get 'fussed' at by the dog, who was taking up his mom's side of the bed, of course lol
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Mar 09
Cats really ought to be kept inside period. It is much safer for them for many reasons. Little dogs need to be inside more than outside I think and even big dogs ought to be allowed in to interact with the family. You take in a pet, they are your responsibility and you need to do whatever is safest for them. If it's inconvenient to have a pet inside, don't have a pet.
So who was it that wasn't allowing this person to let his/her dogs inside? Parents? Spouse? Her/Himself? Just wondering...
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
18 Mar 09
It was the elderly mother of a friend of mine. The only dogs on their property were working dogs. As well as working dogs they were also part of the family and while the men were working the dogs kept them company all day - I think they had 3 or 4 at a time. They lived in a huge cage with big crates for shelter. They were well treated and fed but back in those days, indeed even now, farm dogs are not looked after like pets are. Which is not to say they weren't healthy or abused or neglected...it was just their place to live together outside.
This friend of mine has a little terrier that goes everywhere with him...even on the tractor while he is haymaking. She is a real little character and is inside whenever she wants to be. She likes to be outside sometimes and sleeps in or under the car. She is tied up but on a long lead. His Mum is very fond of her and has no problem with her being inside. She was just a bit cranky that day and she has Alzheimers and lives in the past a fair bit now. It wasn't that I was offended by the lecture, it just made me think what are people's attitudes on this subject in this day and age.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Mar 09
Attitudes have definitely changed. All our cats growing up were indoor/outdoor cats, no vaccinations or spaying and neutering. Nowadays I wouldn't think of letting my cats run outside with all the diseases and predators and so on.
1 person likes this
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
Pets should definitely NOT be left outside! If a pet joins a family, he/she is then a family member - no question! They will disappoint you far less than children will, and will always love you no matter what. People who think pets should remain outside shouldn't' have them in the first place!
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
While I agree with you for the most part, it's not an absolute thing for me. My goats are better off outside...they wreck the joint when they come in. I like Lucy to be in the fresh air and she is always curious about the doings of everybody going past, she can see lots from out big back yard, she comes in for her dinner , then back out for a little while then inside for the night. Banjo, the cat likes to be out sometimes but threats have been made toward him so he is becoming an inside cat.
I don't like to see birds as pets at all, unless they have been rescued and cannot fly or would not survive if left free.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
7 Mar 09
Oh dear, wish I'd be there. When I let Pickles in, or when he crashed his own way in a few times when he was littler, he would put his front feet on the kitchen bench, he'd slide, knocking everything off then get scared and run, slipping and sliding on the floor. He would also jump up on the washing machine in the laundry which is downstairs. He knocked the door down because he would shut himself in the laundry as a game. He couldn't get out one day and I wasn't quick enough to rescue him so now there is no door. He steals my soap powder!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
7 Mar 09
It is much better to leave the goats outside. I had a bottle baby once, and since it was Feb when she was born, I kept her in the house. That is until she got out of her box, ran and jumped on my bed and from the bed to the dresser...........she was ready to go outside! lol
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
6 Mar 09
For me, I think most pets belong inside. They ARE members of the family, and by keeping them inside, you are protecting them from attack, disease and pests. Even security and other working animals should be able to go 'off shift' and spend time with the rest of the family.
1 person likes this
@okkidokitokki (1736)
• United States
6 Mar 09
My girl will go outside when she nneds to or if my husband or I are out side, other than that she is more interested in making sure I do not escape through the hatch in my bathroom. But my Piggy (pictured left) wants to be out side and he will let us know when he is ready to come in. We are not to ask him in before he tells us, it is just a waste of everyones time. (my little boy likes to play in the dirt)
They both get a bath once a week, and we consider them our kids. I do not see the point of having a pet that has to stay outside, I would not make my friends stay outside.
2 people like this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
11 Mar 09
That was funny! I consider pets as part of the family. Mine are outside a lot during the warm weather.. but then again, so am I!
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
12 Mar 09
Dogs look like they are grinning when they ride in a car!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
7 Mar 09
No, I don't agree. Pets, as you say, are part of the family. They shouldn't be left constantly outside, especially domesticated pets. They need attention and comfort the same as children do, and I consider it neglectful to leave them outside. My son's dog likes to be outside, but only for so long. He likes to lie in the sun, but he hates the rain and comes indoors pretty quick smartish when it starts to precipitate. Besides that... what about the extremely cold weather? Your dog could never stay warm through that... it would end up stiff and frozen.
So, I think any prospective owner who wished to have a dog just to leave it outside all the time, doesn't deserve a pet! Brightest Blessings my friend.
@Darkwing (21583)
•
10 Mar 09
Thank you, my friend. You put me in mind of the shepherd and his sheep dog. Now, I know he spends a lot of time outside with his dog, but he IS with him outside, and when he comes home, the dog is duly welcome into the home.
Just my mind wandering off at a tangent my friend. Animals have feelings the same as humans, and they should be treated in the same way as any friend or member of the family, would be. xx
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
9 Mar 09
So eloquent as usual my friend. No matter which way you look at it, it is our responsibility to take proper care of the members of our family. Having pets is a big responsibility, huge. I know a lot of pet owners are not so responsible and some abuse or neglect or even spoil their pets rotten but the majority agree that our beloved pets should be allowed indoors.
1 person likes this
@bellaofchaos (11538)
• United States
12 Mar 09
This is so true. LOL!! I have cats and a puppers and they are family they sleep on the furniture and they play and run amok just as my children do. I would never think that they should be a strictly outside without anyone to play with and talk to and just have companionship. If you are going to put the pet you get outside and forget about it then why even buy a pet. I just don't understand it. Heck look at my new discussion that shows my white furred husky on my couch .. It's his house as much as mine. LOL!! Have a nice one and this was so funny but true.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
13 Mar 09
I read your post and I had a sad picture of a lil doggy looking in through he glass doors at the family inside laughing at the tv. The doggy just wanted to sit quietly and be part of this happy family but he had to stay outside. How heartbreaking that must be for them...you can't tell me dogs don't feel sadness and despair.
I'm glad you liked my funny letter to the dog and cat.
@Jezebella (1446)
• United States
9 Mar 09
I could never put my cat outside. She is my baby and I think she is like my kid. I love the little message you posted it made me laugh because it is so true. My cat spreads out to her greatest extent to take up most of the bed, or she will push me to the edge so she could have the middle. I actually get annoyed when people allow their cats to wander the neighborhood, because their cats get into my flowerbeds and outdoor furniture and pee everywhere I am not a happy camper.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
20 Mar 09
oh thanks so much. i love this and its all so true
my coconut sleeps right by my side/near my head on her own pillow since hubby passed away. my sons dog Lucy , btw, and my coco have the run of the house they are soooooo spoiled
YOUR Lucy is just beautiful btw.
my coconut sleeps right by my side/near my head on her own pillow since hubby passed away. my sons dog Lucy , btw, and my coco have the run of the house they are soooooo spoiled YOUR Lucy is just beautiful btw.
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
30 Mar 09
Of course they should remain outside! My self-proclaimed companion insists that that is the correct procedure. It doesn't apply to him, of course. He must sleep beside me every night, and after going outside to do his duty, his place is by my side. It's the other animals that are supposed to stay out!
Unless it's summer. Then if we're not running the A/C, they don't want to be in. They suffer from the heat. Even after shearing, they prefer the wind to the house. Winter they love the outdoors. The colder it is the happier they are. I had to put my foot down to get them to come inside, even for an hour. They're better trained now!lol
