I am a crazy, pet magnet. Really. Every pet that has entered my life has been, well, a bit odd.

Like my sister’s goldfish, Gibraltar. She won him at a fair when I was in 2nd grade. He died when I graduated college! My mom swore the day he was brought home he would end up flushed in about a week. But, Gibraltar saw us grow up, sent us on our first dates, saw us off to prom, moved us to college. He was a real part of the family. Our theory on his long life was the microwave. His bowl was directly next to it, so maybe the radiation was some kind of magic elixir? Sure, he lost scales and looked like he was growing a third eye, (I’m sure botox will have the same effect, eventually), but he was alive and swimmin’.

I also had a blue bird named Bluey. Ok, so I wasn’t the most creative child. Maybe I ate too much glue? But, Bluey apparently was out of Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. He used to torment and fight with my sister’s bird. And when he got loose in the house, forget about it– it took a couple of hours, and bites, to get him back in his cage.

And as I’ve aged I’ve still managed to somehow get attached to slightly imperfect pets. Here are the profiles of my current lovable wackadoos:

Sadie (a.k.a. Senorita Poopie Pants): 5-year-old, plus-size, chocolate lab, with an affinity for bagels and hatred for squirrels and lettuce.
Crazy Traits: Barking until her eyes are blood shot, stealing napkins and napkin rings, snoring, and scratching and sniffing her ears.

Bianca (a.k.a. Yanca Bear): 4-year-old Wheaten Terror (I mean, Terrier) with circus-esque talents, and the ability to lick you to the point that you feel like you showered (and yet you feel dirtier).
Crazy Traits: Taking flying leaps like a Cirque du Soleil performer, licking all furniture, hiding from the wind, and giving you dirty looks when you sneeze.

Ralph (a.k.a. Ralphie): 3 or 4-year-old Orange Tabby adopted from the PSPCA, loves wearing a tie for guests, cuddling with his Teddy Bear, and playing fetch.
Crazy Traits: Sharpening his claws on the mattress, chasing me through the condo, and biting me when he gets that crazy look in his eye

And me? I’m just your typical animal lover who just can’t have enough fur kids. But, don’t worry. I know how many pets I can and can’t handle. Ok, it’s my landlord who told me how many pets I can handle. So, to fill the void, I volunteer my time on weekends at a local animal shelter. I absolutely recommend volunteering to everyone.

And make me feel better, will ya? I opened up about my nutty bunch. Do your pets have some crazy tendencies?

I hope they do–because that’s what makes them all the more lovable.

Tags : bianca, crazy pets, ralph, sadie

It’s been awhile hasn’t it!!!  You must be wondering what the girls have been up to, so here is an update:

-The ‘rents are putting a fence in the yard so the girls will have plenty of room to run their tails off!!  whoohoo!!!

-Yanca decided to go in the house, on the couch, no less.  Mom was not happy…It doesn’t matter how old she is, how many times she goes outside, she just doesn’t get it!!!

-The 2 indestructible mice are STILL fully intact!

-Sadie is balding a bit in her hip and her leg.  We’re going to have to ask the vet about that.  She also has some grays peeking in under her lip!!  Too cute.

-The girls are way too excited for the p-a-r-k and the nice warm weather.  Sades just suns herself all day and just sits at the back door.

-And of course, the girls are as cute as ever!!!

Don’t worry…I spared you of the “gruesome” images

Tags : dog, dog toys, toy

Sades keeps watch

The girls sure know how to cause a commotion. And they’ll take every opportunity to do so…

The girls are fairly jealous of one another, to say the least. They have to do everything together. When it comes to walks, they go together with Dad. But, when it comes to their “private” moments (aka. trips to the “outhouse”), they go on their own, no pun intended.

But, they don’t like being apart. It’s as if they think they’re missing out on something or one will get preferential treatment. Come on, girls! We all love you equally!!!!

Bianca loves to tease Sadie

But, the routine goes like this:

One goes out and the other keeps watch at the door–to ensure there is no monkeying, or doggy-ing, around out there. Then, when Yanca comes back in, the ruckus ensues…barking, yelping, scratching at the door (of course while Bianca just sits teasing Sadie at the door…oh, sisterly love).

Now, Yanca keeps close tabs on Sadie

And Yanca is no better. When Sades goes out, it’s the same deal–just the barking is a bit more high pitched upon Sadie’s return.

We think Yanca returns the behavior because she mocks and imitates Sadie’s every move. She’s like the little sister following big sis around. Man, no wonder my older sister tortured me. I must have been annoying as sin!

Tags : dog, pee, poop, walks

Birthdays are always a special occasion…for people and pets, too! And Sadie’s b’day was definitely no exception. We outfitted Sades in a birthday hat, of course (which somehow ended up on my sister?), had a ton of gifts and my mom pampered the spoiled brat with her very own chicken breast cut up in her dog food. I think we’re crazy.

The best part of the day was the puppy birthday parade! Yes, I’m telling you we’re sick. We walked Sadie around the development with her birthday hat and delivered puppy ice cream to neighborhood dogs, like Teddy next door and Henry across the street.

It was an awesome birthday for Sadie (I kind of wish I had a birthday like that…I never had a freakin’ parade.).

Oh, and some ice cream snacks for your pets  (don’t feed them people ice cream!) are Frosty Paws (pictured above), Pedigree Ice Cream Sandwiches, and ChillyDawg. You can find different brands in your local grocery store and of course pet stores, like PetSmart.

(NOTE: We watched Sades and Yanca closely when they ate it because you don’t want them taking the whole hunk of ice cream in their mouth at once…We chopped it up for them and put it in their bowls…Safety first!)

I’m “pawsitive” your dog will love it…I know… I’m a tool.

Tags : birthday, Dogs, ice cream, pet ice cream, pets

The bows.  She doesn’t look very happy.  They make her look so ladylike.  The minute she attacks Sadie and bites her on the scruff of her neck…that image flies right out the window.

I always thought dressing up dogs and pets was a bit silly, but I must admit, when Yanca (her nickname) came home from the groomer with these bows in her ears, I almost keeled over laughing.  Too cute!  Because it DOES NOT fit her persona (or dog-sona?)

People have certain styles and dress in certain ways, which fit their personalities.  I’m the J.Crew- wanna- be- but- can’t- afford- it- so- find- look-alikes- in- Target type.  I’m not sure about your dog, but I wish we would “dress” our pets in styles, which fit them and not us.

If I had to dress Sadie, I’d probably put her in a plain, white tee and definitely jeans.  she’s laid back and comfortable.

And Yanca?  She’d be in a football helmet and cape.  Weird, but you can probably picture her storming through and leaping around the house now!

What’s your dog’s fashion sense?

Tags : bianca, bows, clothes, dog, j.crew, jeans, sweater, target, wheaten terrier

Bianca Louise

Yes, this is Suddenly Sadie. But, I feel so guilty leaving Bianca out of the mix.

I am the proud aunt of a little Wheaten Terrier (Wheaten Terror is more like it), Bianca.

We all like to refer to her as a “junk yard dog”. Why? Because she seems to drag in each and every twig, branch, leaf, and gosh knows what else into the house. After each walk, you end up pulling something out of her mess we call fur. No matter how much we brush and primp the poor girl, she’s always a wreck!!

One thing we do to help keep the place clean at least, is wipe down her paws/dirt sponges when she comes into the house.

My tip of the day (aka. the advice of mom and dad)? Keep a towel next to the door you use most to take the dogs out. When they come in, just wipe down their paws (especially in winter so they don’t lick off salt…that can be really bad for them!).

And the best part? My dad is trying to make Bianca bi-lingual. He’ll ask for her paws in English and in Russian. And although we think Bianca is one beer short of a six pack (or whatever the saying is…she’s NUTS!) she answers to both!!!

Bianca can be sloppy, but with dogged determination, she can be a total smartie pants.

Tags : bianca, bilingual, clean, dog, paws, wheaten terrier

This mouse stood the test of the Jaws of Sadie.

When we buy Sadie a toy, we know it’s really throwing our money down the drain. Any toy we buy is destroyed in 10.9 seconds, roughly.

Some of her favorite toys are stuffed animals! But, once she’s done with them, the living room looks like a battleground with stuffing, body parts strewed all over the floor. And there’s Sadie, stuffing hanging out of her mouth with a sense of pride in her eyes.

Even the “indestructible” toys? She kills ‘em…Bites off pieces, tears them apart, rips them in half…they’re all the same

Except, this one mouse.

This mouse was sold in Shop Rite (a grocery store) for like $1. It’s rubber, no noise making parts, no fancy entertainment…just a rubber mouse. And this thing lived!

Sadie would run with it in her mouth, play tug-of-war, and try to rip it to shreds, but she always knew when enough was enough, the breaking point. So, she would stop the insanity, put it down, and calm her urges to destroy.

It really was amazing.

Now, that’s not to say she didn’t finish it off…she did, but it took her a good few months to do it!

And of course, now that we found a toy she enjoys, it’s nowhere to be found. I’ve been searching EVERYWHERE!!!

Irony is a funny thing.

If you find this mouse somewhere, please shoot me a note!  And if you have some good toy suggestions, send them my way.

Tags : chew toy, dog toy

When Sadie “walks” it’s more like “pulls”. When we ask her if she wants to go for a w-a-l-k, she starts zoomin’ around the house, so fast she skids head-first into the walls, jumps with all of her 75lbs right on top of you, and just can’t contain herself.

We like to think we’re bringing her this joy and taking her for a walk, but she’s walking us…That’s for sure.

She pulls and tugs and yanks. We’ve tried to get her to walk like “a lady”, but she’s more like a freight train, steaming ahead, thrashing through and intimidating anything (or dog) that comes in her way.

She also sounds like a 50-year smoker when she “pulls”. Hacking and panting…

But, she does know one thing…Never cross the street without looking. She walks to the corner. Stops. And until you say “go” she just waits like a little soldier. That’s a great thing all dogs, and we of course, need to know.

But, the sweetest part of the walk is when she “looks back”. Maybe your dog does this, too…

She walks ahead, all independent as if she’s taking charge, but at times, she has to look back at you to make sure you’re still there. We’re attached with the leash, Sades, come on! But, it’s deeper than that.

She looks at you with those little green eyes and those cute eyelashes to ensure our bond is still real, our connection is still there…It’s deeper than just that “leashed” connection. It’s an unspoken (unbarked?) bond only true friends would understand…We seek approval, loyalty, companionship from each other.

Photo: This shot was after a long walk through the development with dad. It clearly depicts the panting, the yanking, the pulling, the excitement of her daily strolls through the neighborhood.

Ah, a dog’s life.

Tags : sadie, walks