Thursday, March 07, 2013
I'm so happy to have finished my third Smitten novella. I've been so sick, I wondered if I'd ever get it done, but God is faithful! He helped me and now it's finished.
We have a cat and a dog. The cat was my mom's which we took on a temporary basis and somehow ended up keeping her. At any rate, she's my hubby's pet. The dog, Latte, is mine. Patches, our cat, could care less when I walk into the room. Latte throws a party if I get the mail and come back in the house.
In the picture above, if you look real closely, you can see Latte. She was under my blanket and sat up. I laughed and laughed and she just sat there, so I took a picture. It was hilarious! That's a dog.
Do you think our cat would have held still for that? No way.
I'm not saying cats are bad. I'm just saying they're very different from a dog. Okay, maybe it's cause I've been sick, I want to be pampered. Patches just wants me to keep her seat warm. Latte is pure bouncy joy. Patches doesn't want to be bothered with anything, unless of course it's feeding time. Then she's all purrs and cuddles.
Whether cat or dog, how could we live without our pets? They bring joy to our lives and a special company that makes loneliness flee.
Wouldn't you agree?
Labels: cats, dogs, pet behavior, pets
Diann Hunt
posted at
9:56 AM
Comments (7)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Once I went to see a comedian and she talked about returning from the road and how she had to tell herself, Kiss the boyfriend first, kiss the boyfriend first.
Non-dog owners do not understand this, I'm sure. But there is nothing closer to the physical expression of love of God than a dog. When you enter the room, it's like they brighten and the world changes for them. Imagine if you could have this kind of effect on everyone, and if you walked out the door for ten minutes, they treated you like you'd been gone for an eternity? Wouldn't that be lovely?
This morning, Elle and I took Fiona to get groomed. There was an ad on the door for Martha Stewart Brand products now at Petsmart. I don't know if Martha is a dog person, but my guess, by the uncomfortable shot of her and a perfect-looking canine, is no. And with all her millions, I found myself feeling sorry for her. How can you not allow a dog to love you?
My daughter is writing a paper for school on why dogs are better than cats. She has a debate in class.To a dog person, this almost seems a ridiculous concept to debate such a thing. But I suppose cat people feel the same. Although when is the last time a cat nearly knocked you over with their loving zeal?
Do you have a pet? How do they add to your life? Besides the seven years we apparently get according to statistics.
So I'm leaving for Florida and I'm so exhausted, I'm looking forward to the long plane ride and sleep. It's been a long couple of weeks, but as I come back, I will have to recite the mantra, kiss the kids first. Kiss the kids first! It's kind of hard to remember that when they don't look up from video games or their manga as you enter the room.
Labels: A Mother's Love, dogs, pets, zeal
Kristin
posted at
2:56 PM
Comments (7)
Monday, February 28, 2011
This is Daisy. We got her when she was a wiggling, waggly, 4 month old puppy. I drove home with her curled in my lap because she was whimpering for her mama.
Today she's an 8-yr-old member of our family. She listens (most of the time), finds ways of communicating that belie her lack of English, and she'll expose her belly at the sight of your descending hand. The girl has no pride. She's always happy to see us--you can tell by her big smile and wagging backside.
But what I love most about Daisy is her gentleness. The boys were young when we got her, but even then, not so much as a nip. She wouldn't hurt a fly--or a rambunctious preschooler. In fact, you're less likely to be nipped by Daisy than beaten to death with her wagging tail. Don't say I didn't warn you.
So tell me, what's the most loved quality of your favorite furry friend, past or present?
Labels: dogs, Golden Retrievers, pets
Denise Hunter
posted at
8:46 AM
Comments (7)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I've had some strange requests from people who want to be my friend on Facebook, but Pugsly Puggles takes the cake--or should I say bone? I posted this on Facebook but I'm so amazed by it, I decided to post it here as well.
It's true. I've been asked to be a friend to a dog. I love dogs. I do. I have one (and yes, in this picture she is in dire need of grooming--which she has since received, just so you know). But it just surprises me that Pugsly can type. Not only that, but Pugsly Puggles wants to be my friend. MY friend. I'm kind of scared to ask, but what does that mean about me if my friends are dogs? Just wondering out loud here.
Anyway, thought I would share. It's not every day one gets singled out on Facebook by a dog. I don't know whether to rollover and play dead--or gnaw on a juicy bone.
What do you think?
Labels: dogs, Facebook, friendship, relationships
Diann Hunt
posted at
10:59 AM
Comments (7)
Friday, December 31, 2010
You can blame my wireless network for this blog being late today, but you have all weekend to read it, so I'm not going to worry. The birds in the picture have the right idea. It is a bit freaky, especially when it doesn't always work.
Mel and I watched a show last night at the suggestion of a friend of ours, and we watched it wirelessly from Netflix instant play. The show was called Dogs Decoded. It showed how dogs really make an effort to connect with us by reading our expressions. I thought I was going to have to tie Mel down to keep him watching, but he settled down after a few minutes and got interested in it, and I was able to release him and sit more comfortably.
We watched how wolves were bred to connect better and better with mankind until they "got" us, and were able to read our intentions and emotions in our faces. This does show remarkable intelligence. I had a dog named Laddy who would sit in front of me, stare into my eyes sadly when I was crying, and let me hug him.
However, as I mentioned recently, though my cats don't constantly make eye contact with me to see how I'm feeling or whether I'm going to feed them or let them outside, they read body language. When I walk toward the cabinet, they congregate for food. When I walk to the door, they race each other to get outside if it's nice. When I'm in pain, they will congregate on my lap and chest and purr until I'm feeling better. God made all kinds of creatures for all kinds of reasons.
Horses are also very intelligent. I had a horse when I was a child. His name was...wait for it...Laddy. Yes, I know, I lacked imagination back then, but I named everything, even our trees, so I was running out of names. Anyway, this horse, Laddy, knew what I wanted before I did. When I needed to get the cattle in, that horse could cut cattle without my touching the reins. One day when I was riding bareback with a friend I made the mistake of guiding Laddy up an incline. My friend slid off the back of the horse and dragged me with her. My leg fell directly beneath Laddy's hoof as it was coming down. But he didn't follow through with the step. When he realized my leg was beneath his hoof, he stumbled to keep from stepping down on it. He was one smart horse and I loved him dearly.
Of course, after the show about dogs last night, Mel and I got to talking about why dogs looked at one particular side of the human face in order to read them. This led to the discussion about the fact that someone who is lying will always look to the left. And so we started trying to lie to each other and see if the trick worked. It doesn't. Mel thinks it does, but he has a good imagination, plus he knows me too well. He thought he caught me glancing to the left a time or two, but then I learned to just look into his left eye when I was lying, and I fooled him.
I'm always fascinated by intelligence in any form. My horses, dogs, cats, over my lifetime, have had a major impact on me. I know I talk about cats a lot, but we humans do love our animals. Want to share any good animal stories?
Labels: cats, dogs, horses, humans, liars
Hannah Alexander
posted at
3:46 PM
Comments (7)
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Do you see a common element in these photos? If you guessed the dog, you'd be right. The one on the left is our dog Daisy (with our youngest son Trevor). She's the sweetest, gentlest, most forbearing animal ever. She's so special, I put her in my book--that's why you see her on the cover.
Animals have personalities, don't they? I've had enough of them to appreciate Daisy's sweet nature. In fact, our previous dog, a cocker spaniel named Logan was Daisy's opposite. I kid my husband that if there's an afterlife for pets, Logan surely went down south. Kevin denies this vehemently, especially since Logan worshipped the ground he walked on, but trust me on this. South.
Don't judge me. You did not know that dog.
Animals have a special place in our lives. It was fun to put Daisy in a book (I changed her name to protect the innocent) and even give her a similar personality. Hey, she can't sue me. And even if she could . . . well, she wouldn't. Because she's Daisy.
Labels: dogs, pets
Denise Hunter
posted at
7:55 PM
Comments (9)
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You can blame my wireless network for this blog being late today, but you have all weekend to read it, so I'm not going to worry. The birds in the picture have the right idea. It is a bit freaky, especially when it doesn't always work.
