Do you have a pet at home?

I have two Birman cats, now three years old, sisters. They are known for being a very affectionate breed, and these are no exception, wanting attention, strokes and cuddles. Often to be found on my lap. Although it is a different matter at the vets!
They like routine and seem to know what time of day it is. They will nudge me to get up, and don't like it if I stay up later than usual. They are also very nosy, and love exploring and climbing onto the highest cupboards.

We lost our 2 Bichon Frise dogs last year and I swore I couldn’t go through the heart break again but 5 weeks after the 2nd one passed I saw my little Maltese in a rescue. He’d been used and badly abused for nearly 9 years in a puppy farm, had had all his teeth pulled out, his side was extremely painful due to being kicked we reckon, he was deaf due to years of ear infections, eye infections have given him cataracts and he had Guardia which is parasites in his tummy so needed lots of courses of antibiotics when we first had him. He was brownie colour where he’d never been washed and had obviously sat in his own urine and faeces. He was very underweight. As soon as I saw him I knew I could get him better and wanted him to know love for the first time in his little life. We flew up to Manchester to collect him from Devon and brought him home on the train (which he loves). To cut a long story short, he’s had lots of trips to our fantastic vet who apparently never thought he’d survive to begin with, he’s had lots of treatment gently given and quite a few baths to get him back white. Unfortunately because the parasites have damaged the lining to his tummy he can only eat human food, chicken & pasta, vegetables and fish. I supplement his diet with omega oil and vitamins and now he’s ‘overweight’ a bit, he doesn’t like walking much but loves a ride in the car and his pram. He sleeps with me, he still has nightmares most nights but he’s happy, healthy and is always with me because he’s now got separation anxiety which is common for puppy farmed dogs! I often wish the vile creatures that kept him in awful conditions had let him go years earlier but I take heart he’s now spoiled and cozy and loved and loving his life. I wouldn’t part with him for the world and think animals bring such love and comfort to your life.

I have a cat, Tallulah, she is 14, one of my daughter’s waifs and strays when she was a teenager. Kitty rules the roost, of course, I wouldn’t be without her, such good company for me.

Without this pussy cat!

I have 2 dogs which are Lassa Apso, and really are my dh dogs and 5 cats that belong to me and my D's who still lives at home. Ally cats are affectionate and come up for cuddles with me several times every day.

I have what I call a semi detached cat as she cheekily turned up from a neighbour’s house and now spends most of her time here. It’s a nice arrangement as my neighbour has quite a few children, a dog and twin cats (one being my pal) and took pity on me. I feed the cats when they are away.
I do so agree with other posters who say how they brighten these so samey days, I’m sure I would be more depressed with this pussy cat as widowed.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-52939-monty-george-2012.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-93352-eve-in-easter-bonnet.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-866106-george-shelley--cropped.jpg

I've got 4 dogs - a hairy hairless Chinese Crested rescue, a Chihuahua and a Chi x Jack Russell plus a rescue Jack Russell, also 7 cats, 2 horses and a Shetland pony - and a hand reared seagull who wouldn't survive in the wild and has 7 cock pigeons for company. I adore them all, and feel that it's reciprocated! My CCD is my absolute shadow, never likes to be apart from me except when he's selectively deaf to my shouting as he disappears into the woods next to our home .... I don't honestly think I'd have survived my husband's death from Covid last May if I hadn't had their love and welfare to consider, I was pretty suicidal and they kept me going.

I can't imagine life without pets.We have a Patterdale who is wonderful company,my sons Morky,a mad cat who is one,three chickens a budgie and fish.Life is hectic but I wouldn't any of them.

I had sixteen year old Domino from an eight week old puppy, he was playful and loving
but sadĺy passed away. Two years ago I rescued aBedlinton terrior who was used as a money making machine for several years just living in a cage and having litter after litter. She was never shown any love or played with consequently has no isea how to sho w affection or how to play. She is the sweetest ĺittle dògg but ño company at all.
So sad for her but at least I will make her last years warm and comfortable.

As all you lovely ladies have pets I have a question.
I am concerned for my younger sister who is retired , feels very lonely and is depressed. She doesn’t live too far from me and I do support her .
We are in London and I still work part time even though I am over retirement age .
So , I suggested she get a dog for company, either rescue or not .
She lives in a large maisonette on the 4th floor and is worried about taking the dog out for walks in the evenings .
She has a small balcony and there is grassed areas around , but I don’t want to encourage her into something she’s not sure about .
Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts they can share with me please .

The cats are just cats and don't join in.

Sorry, but cats are never "just cats".

Grannysmith

Bert & Milly our darling rescue cats. They are about 3, brother & sister. We have had them about 6 months & they are delightful - so loving & such fun. We lost our beloved Amelie in March, she had been our wonderful fur baby for 20 years.

They are gorgeous, and I love the chilled out position flat on his/her back.

I have two Boxer girls - one is 11years young and the other is 2 years old! Also have 2 rescued cats - the only 2 left from 8 I had all at one time - all rescues. As a widow I find they fill my days with love , laughter and companionship.

We have a 13 year old mixed breed who is our grumpy old man and we adore him! We also have a 4 year old Lab/Great Pyrenees mix who is a sweet female that has captured all of our hearts and provides fun and love every day. We consider ourselves so lucky to have had them during this pandemic.

I've a little wire haired fox terrier, I think more a terror than a terrier at times lol. I've had her now over 3 years from a rescue centre, think she's about 6 or 7 years old. She makes me go out for walks, adores the car and goes on holiday with me to the seaside. After losing my last dog I swore I would never have another as it broke my heart when I'd to get her put to sleep because her heart was giving up as she was nearly 17, but living on my own was dreadful so got another rescue. She was a nervous little mite who was found running the streets, was skin and bone and very badly matted. Now shes lovely, still quite nervous, but I don't think she will ever get out of it now. She's also epileptic, has seizures, but controlled now with her drugs. We share a lovely life together just her and I and it's great.

I have a beautiful brindle greyhound called Cassie. She was a racer and I got her from the greyhound trust last August. She is the sweetest most gentle dog I have ever had.
Just over 2 weeks ago she collapsed and could not move at all. She spent 3 nights in doggy hospital and was diagnosed with a spinal stroke.
Happily she is recovering well, still a bit wobbly at times but now going for short walks every day increasing slowly.
It wasn't until I thought I was going to lose her that I realised just how much she means to me.

I have a lovely neutered Ginger Tom cat, he was my DD's but when I moved to Devon, about 10 miles away from where she lives, she persuaded me to adopt him as "he would be company for me" . He was getting into lots of fights where she lives as there are lots of cats around.

First thing I did was have him neutered & microchiped. He adores me but isn't a friendly cat with other people, not even my neighbour who feeds him when I'm away.

He isn't really a lap cat although he will put his paws on my knee when he wants a fuss.

I don't know if I will have another cat as I still want to travel at he moment

We have always have Labradors. These are 2 of the 4 we have at the moment, Jake and Dexter. Lovable, friendly and eat us out of house and home!

Bert & Milly our darling rescue cats. They are about 3, brother & sister. We have had them about 6 months & they are delightful - so loving & such fun. We lost our beloved Amelie in March, she had been our wonderful fur baby for 20 years.

Kupari, we have an eight year old Cairn Terrier. They are such fun, aren't they. Big dogs in a little body. They definitely have personality and attitude. Ours "talks" to us and thinks everyone is his friend.

One DS has 3 cats and a Labrador, anitger has a cocker spaniel. I love seeing postings of the dogs' antics and talking to them when on Zoom. The cats are just cats and don't join in.

I have a dog, a Bichon Frisè who has been a lifeline to getting out and about every day in the fresh air and whilst not stopping to chat with passers by obviously, it's been lovely to soak up the everyday traffic and sightings we see around our walk areas.

I have a lovely British shorthair cat I’ve had for 18months. She came from a rescue centre and was very scared when she arrived . She is now very funny and loving. She adores me and I adore her she has been such company during lockdowns.

Buster tank I would be so sad if I lost Amie but please don’t say losing a cat is as bad as losing a child . I know what that is like and am very upset and annoyed that you think it is comparable. Please think about the impact of what you say

I have a dog and 2 cats! I have always loved animals and had pets for the last 34 years! Now that I am retired, my pets mean everything to me. My relationship with my husband of nearly 37 years has broken down (when and if the pandemic ever goes away, I am going to leave him) so my pets are the only thing that makes my life worth living these days! ?

We have always had dogs but alas our lovely flat-coat retriever had a seizure and died a few weeks ago. We are lost without her, such a sweet natured, beautiful girl. Walks seem pointless without a dog! We hope in the not too distant future to re-home another but rescue centres are not keen on letting those as ancient as us, late 70s, adopt an animal and a puppy would be too much to cope with.