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

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