The Cute Animal Pics/Videos Thread

[Carol the Dabbler]

Definitely not photoshopped -- I've seen it in the stores here.

 

Wouldn't buy it on a bet, and not because we don't have a dog, or because I've read anything bad about it. Just. The. Name.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Update: Apparently the product was recalled by the Kroger supermarket chain (which may or may not have also been the manufacturer) in 2010, due to high levels of aflatoxin in at least one batch. According to one review, the stuff was barely edible anyhow, so no great loss. (Sorry, no links since I'm on my phone, but if you google "old yeller" "dog food" you'll get the info.)

[Bluebell]

Thank you all for your condolences.   Freddy and Bellana are alone and a bit sad still. As for me - well, it's been not the first and not the last pet I had to let go, and I try to be not too sad about everything. I know it was the right decision, that's what matters most: that I decided for the pet and not for myself. It makes me feel ok to know that she does not hurt anymore, even if I miss her now.

Tomorrow I will visit our pet shelter, they have an 'open door day' (they have it every year), this year I am going with my dad (I thought it's good to show him that there are so many cats looking for a home, so when he next time wants a new cat he thinks about adopting one instead buying it from people who breed and sell them for profit...), I have to tell him to keep me from adopting a new guinea pig cos I still have 14 to take care of ....plus the bunnies, and the one gerbil left.

I would love to give a new mate to the mourning two pigs, but I hope they will soon be a bit happier again as a couple, or I find another solution to make the group more again, like take one from the other groups if they like each other. The pigs don't live all together because not many of the male pigs get along, so they have each a few ladies - apart from those guys who get along, so basically it's 14 pigs split into currently 5 groups.

 

 

Not to mention being terrified by Pinocchio, and broken-hearted by Dumbo ... good heavens, it's a wonder any of us survived our childhood! :D

 

Don't forget the legendary horrifying tales of the Brothers Grimm....no wonder they make horror films out of the stories these days!
 

[Bluebell]

Here's a new video from my favourite guinea pig channel:

 

adventures of guinea pigs at home :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YawpZ7jTsnE

 

just watch it and relax, enjoy the cuties. The little ones remind me of Chewbacca and Hagrid, they run around a lot, too...

[Van Buren Supernova]

Now I feel lucky that I didn't have the chance to watch Bambi and Old Yeller. Actually there was no restrictions in our cinema back then, we could watch anything, the attendents didn't care at all, so I watched all sort of craps. Bambi and Old Yeller were not the titles familiar to us anyway.

 

How is Bambi compared to Lion King, when Mufasa died?

Is it similar? It's sad but I think I was okay with that.

 

And...oops... XD I am all about protecting audience from children, actually. I had too much bad experiences going to movies with unruly children around and the parents didn't bother to do anything significant, it completely spoiled the exeperience.

 

Sorry about Lily, Bluebell.

Last week, I left my dog, going away for three weeks, and I felt like crap, eventhough it's only temporary and he is in the greatest care. Keep thinking what did I get myself into, again. Then that little guy gave no help at all and refused to let me leave, kept leaping into my arms again. This is scary.

[Bluebell]

Thanks, VBS. Yes, I understand what you feel about the dog. I could not imagine being so long without my rabbits...and the piggies. And - I did not adopt a new pig yesterday :D . Actually they didn't even have one if I saw it right. I only saw tons of little rabbits (with babies, too), and chinchillas, and gerbils and rats...no piggies, which is good that not so many have to spend their time in a pet shelter, just felt sorry for all the rabbits. Hopefully they find a new home soon. I bought a hay tunnel for one of the current 'inmates', so I gave a little to make them happy and something to play with.

And there are sooooo many cats....unfortunately, the visit together with my dad didn't bring the desired effect, just some depressing truths and thoughts again.

Well, can't do more than just invite and suggest, so... that's parents for you  (I know there's a reason why I call him Darth Daddy :P ).

And go on be a jedi on my own - for the love of animals. I know I am not alone here.

[Arcadia]

Now I feel lucky that I didn't have the chance to watch Bambi and Old Yeller. Actually there was no restrictions in our cinema back then, we could watch anything, the attendents didn't care at all, so I watched all sort of craps. Bambi and Old Yeller were not the titles familiar to us anyway.

 

How is Bambi compared to Lion King, when Mufasa died?

Is it similar? It's sad but I think I was okay with that.

I know I didn't respond the same way to Mufasa's death, but I was a LOT older when I saw it than I was when I first saw Bambi. But also I think it's just a different dynamic; Mufasa was murdered on screen by his brother, so you have someone specific to hate for the deed. Bambi's mom was killed off screen by unseen hunters, so it all seemed more random and frightening. And Bambi was younger.

 

Sorry about Lily, Bluebell.

Last week, I left my dog, going away for three weeks, and I felt like crap, eventhough it's only temporary and he is in the greatest care. Keep thinking what did I get myself into, again. Then that little guy gave no help at all and refused to let me leave, kept leaping into my arms again. This is scary.

Oh god. This is why I don't want to adopt a new cat. 

 

Thanks, VBS. Yes, I understand what you feel about the dog. I could not imagine being so long without my rabbits...and the piggies. And - I did not adopt a new pig yesterday :D . Actually they didn't even have one if I saw it right. I only saw tons of little rabbits (with babies, too), and chinchillas, and gerbils and rats...no piggies, which is good that not so many have to spend their time in a pet shelter, just felt sorry for all the rabbits. Hopefully they find a new home soon. I bought a hay tunnel for one of the current 'inmates', so I gave a little to make them happy and something to play with.

And there are sooooo many cats....

Oh dear, and this is why I DO want to adopt a new cat. Or two. What to do, what to do....

[Caya]

Oh dear, and this is why I DO want to adopt a new cat. Or two. What to do, what to do....

 

Simple. Think of any cat you have loved. Of the love, the fun, the feeling of their fur in your arms as you held them, how they looked at you. Think of how unique they were, how you still miss them. Then think of the brief time of pain when you had to let them go, the fear and sadness. Was it worth it? Would you exchange not having had to experience that loss for never having held the little purring furball in your arms at all, never having known their love?

 

There. Glad I could help .

 

[Arcadia]

AGHGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Caya]

You still sound ... conflicted .

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

:cry:

Huaaaaaaaa... what is that!?? Caya, why are you doing this.... :cry:

 

Oh well.

I keep questioning myself when I finally adopt, and still, because I will forever dreading the day.

I actually never be sure if I did the right thing, but I definitely know those sad lonely little faces in the shelter. So... sometimes I think this is just my own stupid way to torture and weaken myself, yet at the same time I feel happy and stronger, but of course I curse my stupidity on day to day basis, as always.

 

Anyway, you have heard a lot of selfless reasons, I have selfish ones too. I am sure you know them.

 

When I feel the worst, messiest and look like gargoyle, and everyone I meet are either laughing or running away, my dog doesn't care and still think I am gorgeous. :p

When I need quiet time, he drops his toy and sits beside me.

When I feel happy, he jumps and restlessly shares my excitement, eventhough it's all for stupid reason like cracking a puzzle or finding five bucks in the pocket, or without reason at all, just because we can.

When he greets me like we haven't met for ten years eventhough I just go out to the front yard for ten minutes.

When he knows from a mile away that I am not happy and attack me with puppy face for forgiveness.

When he gets in the way, insists to come over and over again even when I keep putting him away after my fall back then, because I don't want him to step on glass sharpnels, because he wants to stay with me and makes sure he is there for me because he knows something bad happens.

When he hugs me and don't let me leave.

When he is sick and curls in my arms because he knows he is protected.

 

Hey...what am I getting myself into? :( Geez I miss him.

 

Oh, when he provokes a pack of big stray dogs and runs back and stands 'bravely' between my legs and trust me to fight all of them for him. XD

[Caya]

Oh, you weren't planning on weeping today, VBS? My bad .

 

[Arcadia]

You people would make good extortionists...

[Caya]

To be honest, that is kinda why I'm collecting these atm ... but it's for a good purpose, I swear ;). My parent's dog has just turned 10 and has had a difficult operation (she pulled through perfectly, whew) and my parents are already all, We won't have another dog after her cause we can't stand the pain anymore, and besides we're too old for a dog, and all that. Which would be a fine decision I'd respect, except for they pulled exactly the same number the last time and all they did was make themselves and all around thoroughly miserable before they inevitably caved and got their current dog (and for the record, they're 68 and 71, which is hardly "one foot in the grave" like they're pretending). So, while I wish their current furball a long and happy life with all my heart (she is a total sweetie, too) I'm already kinda, well, preparing for the inevitable, too.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

... for the record, they're 68 and 71, which is hardly "one foot in the grave"....

They may be extrapolating, though.  The average dog lives, what? twelve years?  Which would put them into their 80's.  I can see that they'd find it difficult to commit to a responsibility that they may not be able to fulfill.  At least they're not like the people who get a puppy but then dump the dog when it gets older and needs more care.

 

You might suggest -- when the time comes -- that they go to the shelter and find a nice middle-aged dog.  Those tend to be harder to find homes for so they'd be doing the shelter a favor, plus they wouldn't be committing for nearly as long.

 

[Caya]

Good suggestion, but even if they, for some reason, were survived by their dog, then what? We got two dogs then, is what. It's not as if our dogs (ours, my parents' and my grandparents', when they were still alive) haven't been always raised together, we do dogsitting for each other several times a week and take them in when the other party is on holiday, and have done so for as long as I can remember. When my gran died, of course their dog went to my parents, and when they were on holiday we had all three of them (good thing the car is basically a doggo-mobile anyway :D). I'd understand their fear if there were any kind of doubt as to their doggie's welfare after their potential demise, but since they've been trusting us with their pooches (and vice versa) for literally decades, I don't quite see the point .

[Carol the Dabbler]

You might want to make that explicitly clear to them.  Dunno about your folks, but my Mom has a phobia of "being a burden" or even just "bothering anybody."  Maybe they're comfortable with letting you dogsit, but don't want to assume that you'd be willing to take the dog permanently.

 

[Arcadia]

Anybody know how much pet health insurance costs?

[Carol the Dabbler]

I don't recall, and would hesitate to deal with any company that I simply found advertised online.  Most vet's offices seem to offer information on insurance, though, and I believe those brochures tend to list pricing.  (Then one could search online for reviews of the company.)

[Arcadia]

Just found a Consumer Reports article on the subject, they basically don't think it's worth it for essentially healthy pets, but it helps if you have unhealthy pets. Well, duh!!!! Isn't that true of all insurance? Anyway, it looks like it can be as low as $100-150/year. Although I didn't check to see how old the article was. And of course they don't cover pre-existing conditions, so if you wait 'til your pet is sick, it won't be covered anyway.

 

Anyway, that's one of my biggest concerns; affording vet care. Not my primary concern, but it is something I worry about.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Hey, I don't know there is such thing as pet's insurance. At least it's not common/not exist here. I just thought it's a good idea the other day but suspect no one is doing that because it's not profitable.

 

If it's low enough, sounds like good choice because vet's bill can be very expensive, especially for accidents and surgeries that we can never predict.

 

Good extortionist? How come it never works?

I'm not interested in extorting money, somehow people always trust me with their money. So it's not fun. I say, it's never works when I try to extort their souls...

 

Eh..cat's, dog's, bunny's and small animal's lovers, we should have a gathering one day. I suppose it would look like this because we are introverts, so we just send our animals to meet.

[Carol the Dabbler]

That's me, just to right of center.  :D

[Bluebell]

Hey, I don't know there is such thing as pet's insurance. At least it's not common/not exist here. I just thought it's a good idea the other day but suspect no one is doing that because it's not profitable.

 

If it's low enough, sounds like good choice because vet's bill can be very expensive, especially for accidents and surgeries that we can never predict.

 

 

In Germany, you need to have an insurance for the dog. Not a health insurance but a personal liability insurance.

Health insurances are optional, but there's already a couple of companies who offer it for animals especially.

Btw, do you need to pay dog taxes in America? We need to pay dog taxes every year if we decide to have a dog. And it depends on the part of Germany where you live and what kind of dog you have how much you have to pay. One reason to think twice to have a dog, because you generally pay for just having the dog :( ...

All other pets cost no taxes or anything, but dogs. Also there is 'lists' of dog races that need special certificates to give the dogs to their owner as some races are labeled as 'dangerous'. Which is totally insane because it's just the person's responsibility how they bring up and educate the dog, how the dog ends up being in personality and if they bite people or not. This weird law is like 'all pitbulls bite the kids on the streets' and crap like that, and keep loads of the dogs in the shelters who have this label - first of all because they have this label (and the majority is just scared of those beautiful animals - really if I had a big house and garden and all that I would adopt some Staffordshire and pit bulls, I think they are somehow cute. Most people say they are ugly. :( ) and people would not have them because of that, also there's not much room for such dogs in the big city, so people rather adopt something the size maybe like a poodle. The others stay in the shelters for ages. I saw on sunday dogs that have been there for over 6 years or so - but glad that Germany has a strict no kill-policy at least, so they would have a chance someday if the right person finally comes along.

 

@Caya, I know there is a network for old dogs and old people, so older people need not to be without a dog for the rest of their lives...

http://www.omihunde-netzwerk.de/

Those little texts you posted bring tears to my eyes, some I knew already, but they always make me emotional.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Sounds like German dog laws are pretty similar to what we have in the US -- though our dog laws are decided by individual states, so there's some variation. There's often a dog tax (sometimes higher for female dogs than for males), usually (always?) a requirement for rabies vaccination, sometimes "leash law" forbidding owners to let their dogs run loose (except in their own fenced yards). Some states, counties, or towns forbid or restrict ownership of pit bulls. No-kill policies are more on a county-by-county basis, and are far from universal (though they are becoming more common). I think liability insurance is the owner's decision, though I suspect that most insurance agents would recommend it for dog owners.

 

Love that matchmaking agency!

[SherlockedCAMPer]

johnspec is staying at a friend's house today.  That friend's cat Cody still is infatuated with his shoes.  My friend sent me a video (from her phone) of the incident.  There really isn't much in the way of sound except for background noise from the kitchen.
 

http://yeshuart.net/sherlockian/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Cody-GEs-Shoe.mp4