Equal Opportunity Pet Owner

You've got your self-proclaimed "cat people" and your self-proclaimed "dog people".  I like to think of myself as an equal opportunity pet owner, giving equal love to all my species, and being just simply, an "animal person".  I enjoy the company of dogs and cats for different reasons.  Sometimes I love it that Pete and Rigby (dogs) are needy and up in my face, but other times it's completely annoying.  I love that Spencer (cat) lays on my lap all night because he wants to, and not because I've called him over to me and he obeys. I love that I never get any privacy in the bathroom because Fergie (cat) just loves to tag along because she knows that's her designated belly rub time.  Cats and dogs are very different and I don't think I could imagine life without either one.  Statistics show that there are more cats living as pets in the United States, but more dog owners.  This means more people have multiple cats in one household, versus just owning one dog per household.  Makes sense to me as cats are much more low maintenance!  I got these statistics from The Humane Society.org's website, and I thought they were interesting:

Dogs:

• There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States
• Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog
• Most owners (60 percent) own one dog
• Twenty-eight percent of owners own two dogs
• Twelve percent of owners own three or more dogs
• On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.69 percent)
• The proportion of male to female dogs is even
• Twenty-one percent of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter
• On average, dog owners spent $248 on veterinary visits (vaccine, well visits) annually
• Seventy-eight percent of owned dogs are spayed or neutered

Cats:

• There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States
• Thirty-three percent of U.S. households own at least one cat
• Fifty-two percent of owners own more than one cat
• On average, owners have two cats (2.2)
• More female cats are owned than male cats (80 percent vs. 65 percent respectively)
• Twenty-one percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter
• Cat owners spent an average of $219 on routine veterinary visits
• Eighty-eight percent of owned cats are spayed or neutered

Pets offer so many benefits to us and enrich our lives.  Yeah, they can be a pain in the rear when it comes to pet hair, boarding costs, the occasional "mistake" in the house.  But what we yield in return is priceless!  Lower blood pressure, exposure at a young age actually reduces allergies, and unconditional love!  

Our Brood

 I like to link to this once a year, just in case someone has missed it.  This Dog vs. Cat Diary has been around for years, but it still makes me laugh every time I read it.  

 The Dog's Diary

•   8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
•   9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
•   9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing! 
• 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
• 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
•   1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
•   3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
•   5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
•   7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
•   8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
• 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of My Captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

Rigby the Frisbee Dog

Please disregard the atrocious state of our backyard.  Drought 2012 got the best of it.  Rigs is getting better and better and catching her frisbees.  We set an all time record last night of 5 in a row!  This is especially impressive because Rigby was born with 2 luxating patellas; two bum knee caps.  When she runs her knee caps pop out of place quite often, she'll eventually have to have surgery, but we are trying to put that off as long as possible and keep her in shape to prevent too much stress on them.  Here she is in action.  She even catches a little air on the second one!

Unrequited love...

Good for you, Tom.  Who wants to be associated with these crazies!

Best of the interwebz, August 2012

The internet has not only changed the way we all communicate with each other, it's also been a creative outlet for millions who previously would've been undiscovered.  I know I thoroughly enjoy making my daily checks of the blogs and sites I follow.  You might be aware of some of my favorites, but I hope I at least tell you something new.  No matter your pleasure, be it cute animals with captions, funny commentary about celebs, a 32 year old man criticizing children's artwork, there is something for all palates out there.  Here are just a few of the sites I enjoy on a weekly basis:

1.  The Cheezburger Network.  What's not to love here?  There are numerous sites all rolled up into one here.  Failbook, LOLcats, Memebase, and many more.  A favorite of mine, Business Cat!

2.  Warming Glow/UPROXX.  Warming Glow is one of many sites on Uproxx.  I like it because it does funny commentary, spoilers, discussions on TV shows.  There is one for movies too, Film Drunk.  The writing is generally pretty good and so is the information.  One of my absolute favorites on this site is a blogger who writes like he's a Southie from Boston in a phonetic way.  Being that I despise the Patriots, it's especially comical.   Here's TAWMMY FROM QUINZEE. 

YOU WILL REMEMBAH THE DAY BRADY GAWT IN A FACKIN’ CAHHHH WRECK!

3.  Maddox, The Best Page in the Universe, I Am Better Than Your Kids.  Maddox is one of the originals.  He's had a site since 1997 and it's barely changed in look and feel.  He doesn't post as much as he used to on the original site, but does weekly updates on his critical analysis of children's artwork on the other site.  This guy has brought me to tears on numerous occasions.  He is unapologetic about his views on everything, and that's what makes it so damn funny.  Some of his funniest posts are when he responds to hate mail.  Oh, if you're sensitive and/or easily offended, I wouldn't go to this site.

4.  The Oatmeal.  The Oatmeal is fantastic.  Full of comics that are cleverly drawn and extremely well written fill this site along with a blog and some quizzes.  It's impossible to pick an absolute favorite on this site, as you can spend DAYS going through all of their comics.  They take no prisoners when making fun of people much like Maddox.  The one where he describes how he'd rather be punched in the testicles than call Customer Service, a feeling we can all relate to, even if you don't have testicles.    

5.  McKayla Is Not Impressed.  You'd have to be living under a rock to not hear about this, but I'm mentioning it anyway.  Olympic Silver Medalist, McKayla Maroney wasn't very happy about coming in second...here's a meme that's gone viral about her reaction to various famous situations.  It's a lot like Texts from Hil.   McKayla is not impressed with The Beatles on Ed Sullivan.

  

Lil Bub's Positive Message

Meet Lil Bub

I have no idea how the existence of Lil Bub has escaped me until now.  I'm typically on the cutting edge of all things internet...and cat!  Lil Bub is a darling little cat, that her owner calls a "happy accident".  You see, Lil Bub has many birth defects and genetic mutations that make her special.  BUB is a "perma-kitten", which means she will stay kitten sized and maintain kitten-like features her entire life.  She is a dwarf, she has very short, stubby legs and a weird, long, serpent-like body. Her lower jaw is short, like a major overbite would be, and her teeth never grew in (kind of like Fergie, but much more serious!)  This explains why her tongue is almost always hanging out. Her owner says she has a very healthy appetite and eats dry and wet food with no problems. Finally, Lil Bub is a polydactyl cat, which really isn't that uncommon, meaning she has extra toes, one extra toe on all of her four paws. Her front paws each have two opposable thumbs. And then of course there are her big, bulging, wonder-filled green eyes.  All of those things equal, in my opinion, one cute very unique little girl!

Light Saber Bub

She was featured on Good Morning America earlier this month because of her major internet popularity.  Lil Bub has her own Tumblr Blog, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook fan page.  The witty captions done by owner Mike definitely contribute to the hilarity.   He also asks for people to Photoshop in hilarious things in Bub's pictures.  Light saber's, ice cream cones, all sorts of things. I think Lil Bub sends a great message and that's why so many people are enamored with her.  She says it's okay to be different.  She started out as a feral runt that someone had the kind heartedness to give a chance to, and look how much joy she's brought to not only her owner, but the world!  Pets truly are gifts to us.  The enhance our lives in SO many ways.  I guess that's why I have four of them...  To read more about Lil Bub and her story, you can check out her Bio on Facebook, it explains her humble beginnings to current super-stardom!

Turning over a new leaf.

As of today, I'm turning over a new leaf.  No more getting political on Facebook.  I think it gets worse on election years, but man, I can't even stand to login to Facebook lately.  I have hidden about 60% of my friend list so I don't even see their propaganda anymore, and all we're really doing is alienating each other.  Has anyone EVER changed ANYONE else's political and/or religious affiliations from a Facebook post?  Or more accurately, incessant Facebook posts?  No.  If someone doesn't agree with your stance, it's probably doing nothing but irritating you or making you roll your eyes.  At least, that's what I do.  I'll let a few posts slide... but if you're a constant offender, I'm done, unfriend.  If you're a family member, I've hidden you.  I can guarantee I've been hidden and deleted due to the exact same reasons.  People don't like where I'm coming from and nothing I say or do will make them see things my way.  

I'm extremely guilty of trying to get people to see things my way.  Not just as it relates to politics or religion, but to anything in general.  I'm a very persuasive personality and it's just how I'm built.  (Ask my boyfriend!) I was in sales for several years and had great success due to that personality trait.  It's going to be difficult to not "share" those liberal agenda articles I read, but I'm going to try.  Not everyone agrees with me, and that's okay...if they did it would be an "extreme" world, and we need both sides so we can hopefully come to the middle.  Where we probably should be.  Extreme anything is typically not a good thing.  I don't think Facebook should be a sounding board to push your religious and political beliefs onto others.  If you're like me, you have a very mixed company audience and someone is going to be very turned off by it.  Those two things are personal and private to a lot of people, and you might not even know you're alienating them.  I'm not saying we should be PC, always be trying to not "offend" people...lord knows that's not me.  What I am saying, is that there is a time and a place to discuss politics and religion and in my humble opinion, Facebook isn't one of them.  That's why I have Twitter, too :)  All kidding aside, it's great to be passionate about what you believe in and stand for.  I'm very passionate about my beliefs and if asked, I'm happy to share them and the reasons behind them to anyone who will ask.  The thing is, on Facebook, no one is asking.  You have a captive audience if you haven't been hidden from someones wall!  Don't abuse it.  It's a shame to lose touch with someone over something that doesn't need to affect your relationship with them.  

I'm going to try my best to stick to this new resolution.  It's going to be tough, seeing that it's an election year.  It's all in an effort to be the best Lindsey I can be, and shoving what I think is right down other people's throats is exactly what I don't like about other people.  I've been a hypocrite and I'll admit it.   Don't preach to me, and I won't preach to you.  Unless of course, you post something...then you're asking for it, right?  :)  

Eggcellent.

Look at that smile...proud BGE owner

After what seemed like years, but was most likely weeks or months of Michael pining for a Big Green Egg, we now actually have one.  What is a Big Green Egg you ask?  Well, it's a grill of sorts, made of ceramic and shaped like...you guess it, a big green egg.   I was skeptical.  We already have a grill!  Why do we need this thing?  It looks funny and it's crazy expensive!  After having kebabs, buffalo wings, burgers, and most recently home made pizza made on this thing, I'm sold.  Amazing!  You may even say we're eggstatic to have one.  Okay okay, too far.   I do enjoy their marketing as they list their Eggcessories and have Eggtoberfest every year.

Cook -cook- cookin' away!

Kebabs!

Bobby Flay is always using one when we watch his show, so if he's endorsing this product without being paid to use it, it's gotta be legit.  If you're in the market for a new grill we can't recommend this enough.  I can't speak for the grilling experience, but I can speak for the eating experience.  Good stuff.

And now... gratuitous pet photos!

Rigby in a pink bow.  This lasted < 30 seconds.

The "Catirondaks".  Our version of The Thundercats

Patrolin' this yard for squirrels is hard work!