What are your cool/interesting pets?

[smokymountainrain]

What sort of set up? Do you have one of those caged dog runs?

We have a caged dog run with a dog house. We also have one of those dog igloos - with a heated pad inside - underneath a small patio that goes out to our backyard, keeping him out of the wind and snow. I've never had to do this, but if the weather were to ever get too nasty, I have a detached garage/shop I would put him in with a space heater.

FWIW, my dog looks like this:



So he's not one of those huge fluffy winter dogs that pull sleds in Alaska.

[Commando]

thats my challenge. those cool winter dogs have a ton of hair and they make a mess shedding it in warmer months. Im not down with that. I prefer mid sized dogs and not sure they will thrive outside all winter. Small ridiculous looking dogs like the one SpaceGhost posted are not for me. Hate that stuff.

Well she definitely made cotton pickers out of us in the summer. She would post up in a little cave under the hedges in the summer with her bowl of water and leave whisps of cotton-y fur on the side of the bushes that I would have to go around and gather up. I will say it's miles better than the hair you would get from a short-haired dog, which you don't see at first but then notice later taht you're covered with it.

The other thing with outside dogs is that the breeds are generally more wild as opposed to domesticated and, while they could be every bit as human-friendly as any dog, are harder to socialize with other dogs, confine to your property (we did have a dog run for when she was in heat), and stop from killing your rabbits. Fantastic dog, though- especially if you're looking for some extra responsibilities for the kids.

[smokymountainrain]

The other thing with outside dogs is that the breeds are generally more wild as opposed to domesticated and, while they could be every bit as human-friendly as any dog, are harder to socialize with other dogs, confine to your property (we did have a dog run for when she was in heat), and stop from killing your rabbits. Fantastic dog, though- especially if you're looking for some extra responsibilities for the kids.

I would agree with this as well.

[Indy Coug]

We once had a desert tortoise that was 2 feet in length. Stories of their longevity were very overrated.

[hostile]

Were you in Utah? Thats great to hear. would definitely affect my stance on having a dog. I thought it might be cruel to leave the dog outside during the cold. Did you have a big dog? I assume smaller dogs wouldnt do as well outside.

We have a yellow lab. If it were up to me it would be outside 100% of the time. My wife and daughter say it is cold and wet in the winter. I asked them to show me on a map where Labrador Island was and if they thought it was ever cold or wet there. That didn't work so he sleeps in our mudroom in the winter. We have a caged side yard that serves as a dog run.

[thesaint258]

You overestimate it.

It is okay to give in. Dogs with hair are fun.

I might be. If I do give in, you have permission to come shoot me.

[Commando]

We once had a desert tortoise that was 2 feet in length. Stories of their longevity were very overrated.

"Legendary" racing ability, too.

[Commando]

This thread has made me suddenly regretful that I live in Arizona, where the logistics of owning a husky breed are insurmountable.

[falafel]

This thread has made me suddenly regretful that I live in Arizona, where the logistics of owning a husky breed are insurmountable.

A friend of ours owns a Samoyed here in Las Vegas. The dog lives indoors, but goes on long walks/runs with the owner daily.

[Walter Sobchak]

My wife seems to think that future children will be able to weaken my resolve, but she underestimates my stubbornness.

I think you need to visit the minivan thread. It is littered with former men admitting they also once had strong resolve.

[Donuthole]

Some of us pick our battles and then stick to our guns.

[thesaint258]

I think you need to visit the minivan thread. It is littered with former men admitting they also once had strong resolve.

Some of us pick our battles and then stick to our guns.

Exactly.

[Brian]

I hate it when people compare pet ownership to parenting (this happens once a semester).
I hate it when people walk their unleashed dogs in public spaces.
I hate it when people let their dog sniff me or my kids. My children are all afraid of dogs and recoil in fear. Your comment of "Oh, he's alright, he won't hurt anyone" is nothing more than lies.
I hate it when people act like there's something wrong with me for not liking animals. I love people. Animals are property.
I hate it when people walk their stupid pitbulls on the sidewalk. Walking your pitbull in public is the animal equivalent of a office worker driving a huge pickup truck.
I hate it when people bring their animals to sporting events.
I hate it when people get to bring their unmuzzled boxers through airport security when I can't have a bottle of hand sanitizer unless it's in a Ziploc.
I hate it when a dog you've met many times before suddenly spazzes out and bites/tries to bite you.
I hate it when my neighbors' dog barks all night long and they do nothing.
I hate it that I can't go to my shed without the dogs of three different neighbors all barking at me like I'm trying to kill their owners.
I hate pitbulls.

Loathe is too weak a word for how I feel about dogs.

Two cats, two horses, one blueberry bush.
My wife wants pygmy goats, so we may have a few of them soon.... )c:

We realize that not everyone likes cats, so we put them in a room when guests come over.

[TripletDaddy]

It would be more helpful to put all the cat hair in one room when guests come over. That is the real problem.

[Commando]

A friend of ours owns a Samoyed here in Las Vegas. The dog lives indoors, but goes on long walks/runs with the owner daily.

Yeah I've seen a malamute on a walk with its owner here a time or two in Mesa. I feel sorry for the owner and the dog. That's no way for either of them to live!