Please allow me .....

[dexterdoglancashire]

Kirsty - we are like you, despite our original thoughts of not letting Dexter on the bed, we gave in first night (4 years ago!) I now wake up at 4am in a strange position, hanging onto the edge of the bed with OH on his side and Dexter the dog lying basically wherever he wants!
I bought him a basket last week ................. has he used it? No! Ramsey and Crosby the cats think it's great! Dexterdog

[Mrs Dobby]

The first night we had Bella we settled her down in her dog bed (soft basket) which is in the bedroom (under the dressing table, which was built just large enough to fit the dog bed under!), and were sat in bed having a drink of horlicks, when I looked up to see 6 1/2 stone of Great Dane / Alsatian crossbreed about 4' above the bed in mid air! It was like slow motion as she landed, both of us bracing for the impact, but she landed sooo gently she didnt even spill the horlicks!

Nowadays she's allowed on the bed for a fuss, but when one of us switches off the light she knows its time to get down and does so without any problems at all! She does however love to wake us up in the morning by jumping up on the bed and washing your face until you are awake enough to let her out for the loo! lol!

Arent dogs great!

[big fiona]

Yes, I agree, I had a Siamese kitten years ago who completerly ruled the roost (as it were). I had a friend's young dog to stay for a weekend and the kitten had her completely worn out by the end of it. At the moment I have an geriatric Abbysinian cat of 21 years and 9 months who is blind and deaf but is relentless in her search for food and attention. Unfortunately, she has not been grooming herself too well recently and I was (gently) combing her fur which she took a sudden exception to. I now have an infected finger which has tracked right up to my arm-pit - all in the space of 18 hours. Now taking 2 lots of antibiotics and hoping for some rapid improvement otherwise I've to go to hospital for some IV medication. It's not easy typing one handed - lets' hope I don't have to get used to it!!!

Maybe I should get a dog..............

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hello BF - we all know you are a big softie (just like the rest of us) and if anything happens to your lovely cat, you will be gutted. Hope your arm gets better soon. Keep stroking your cat with your other arm. Dexterdog

[pigletwillie]

I have it to come soon I fear, Betty my cat is 17 years old and is starting to get really thin and sleeping more than normal. Whilst being a complete git she really is gorgeous. I have had her for 9 years more than my wife, (invite for a joke). She has been a fixture and fitting of my life for so long I would be gutted. And thats from a big Number 3 rugby player.

[madderbat]

Hi Big Fiona, can empathise about the aged cat, hope the finger gets better soon, are you seeing any improvement yet?

PW, having met your cat today I'm sure you've got plenty more years together. she is a sweetie. (Haven't met piglette yet though, but she looks sweet too! Ouch!)

My two boys are only 9 years old and in their prime, as I said before, they have almost housetrained us! My last cat lived to about 20 (can't be sure exactly cos he was a stray that turned up and stayed). He was lovely: smelly feet, bad breath and stinking ears, but he would sit on my lap while I was sewing and take no notice of the cotton at all, was just so grateful to be there! and he made a lovely 'grandad' to the kitten we got for our son

[dexterdoglancashire]

I have it to come soon I fear, Betty my cat is 17 years old and is starting to get really thin and sleeping more than normal. Whilst being a complete git she really is gorgeous. I have had her for 9 years more than my wife, (invite for a joke). She has been a fixture and fitting of my life for so long I would be gutted. And thats from a big Number 3 rugby player.

When we lost our cat Kimmy, she was nearly 20 years old - I'd known her longer than any human! Yes, it was really, really tough, but when the time came, we just knew. I just give thanks for all the wonderful years we had together and still remember her everyday. I know that you will do the same. Dexterdog

[Shortie]

He was lovely: smelly feet, bad breath and stinking ears

A cat with smelly feet

I have a scabby cat. 2 brothers from battersea dogs home. We've had them now about 5 years and think they're about 7 years old. Both are lovely, but one is a ginger tank who moults EVERYWHERE and the other is a skinny black litter runt who gets adolescent spots on his chin that flare up (looks like he's been in a fight each time), gets urine infections and has a hormone deficiency from having that 'the chop' and it's like he has bad eczma [sp].

Luckily we have a fab vet who really is there just for the welfare of the animals (he's always told us if that we have problems paying for pet care, he'll take no payment until it can be afforded to be paid back, even if it means he doesn't get paid), AND runs a wildlife sanctuary at his house). All this and he's had heart surgery.. anyway I digress. Luckily his scabby skin treatment only costs £4 for 3 months supply

[madderbat]

yes shortie, he really did have the feet, breath and ears, but he was a big bruiser of a mangy stray tomcat that kept coming to the door so I fed him over winter for a few years.
Then when No1 son was toddling, I looked out of the kitchen window one day and saw child pulling cat down the garden by his tail, cat unconcerned!

Decided at that point to vet the cat and get his abscesses/spaying/fleas sorted out and he became an indoor cat. Was with us for a further 12 years. We called him Clarence because he was apparently cross eyed! Best cat I ever ever had and I missed him badly when he had to be put down.

The mangy characters are the best I think.

You are very lucky with your vet though.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Luckily his scabby skin treatment only costs £4 for 3 months supply[/QUOTE]
Who? the vet or the cat?!
Dexter the dog has smelly feet! he doesn't seem to notice though! DDL

[Nicos]

Dexter the dog has smelly feet! he doesn't seem to notice though! DDL

I don't own a dog but have babysat the in-laws various dogs for 30 yrs+ and notice their paws always have the 'scent' of biscuits!!!!

[big fiona]

Hi All,

Yes, still able to stroke the cat using my other arm. Finger on other hand is still twice the size it should be but the inch wide strips of red going up to my armpit are reducing in size and starting to fade so I think I've got away without a visit to hospital.

The cat doesn't appear to have any ill effects from biting me.........

BF

[dexterdoglancashire]

BF - glad to hear you are on the mend, but get yersen down t'hospital if necessary. DDL

[nick the grief]

I would have gone as well BF. I've got scars on my hands from tormenting Nacho, but at least she's caming down a bit now.

SHe went for here first proper walk today in the woods that are just around the corner from where I live. Seemed strange having a dog walk along side me rather than trying to drag me through the bushes (Meg never did get the idea that a choke chain chokes you !).

All being well, I'm going to introduce her to Lottie life tomorrow so I got some more Tea & biscuits (she's developed a taste for Tea - Can't think where she got that from ......opps cups empty

[Stroppy scotte]

My dog is mental. A rescue dog (was 7 when his Mum had to go into a Nursing home).He has no idea about walking offf lead--or his name for that matter.
Sadly can't ake him down to the lottie because of his diet of at least 8 bees or wasps a day. Having said that he is cheap to feed during the Summer months.