Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

September 11, 2007

The Mic Is On: We’re Talking About Pets!

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

Those lovely animals in our lives we love . . .

Here’s a few ideas to get us started:

478243042_82d180c72f.jpg


And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)

Oh, and bring links about pets to share!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?


Filed under Comments, SOB Business, Successful Blog |




C'mon. Let's talk!

186 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking About Pets!”

  1. September 11th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
    Mike said

    Howdy Everyone!

  2. September 11th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
    Nathania said

    Some people like working from home because they can work in their underwear.

    I like it because my cats lay across my arms! They’re so jealous of the laptop!

    My husband and I are making a little “web show” about our kitties - check out the trailer

    http://www.spicecats.com

    oh yeah, we have a Beagle too but i’m mad at him cuz he peed in his crate again

  3. September 11th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    Hope you don’t have a hang dog expresion!

  4. September 11th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
    Mike said

    Maybe just a small one.

    I thought I was alone.

  5. September 11th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    I love African Chiclids. I had a 50gal. tank. My dream was to have a 5gal. micro-saltwater tank. It was going to be too expensive, though.

    Still dreaming..

  6. September 11th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
    ME Strauss said

    HI Nathania!
    Thanks for bringing along pix of your cats!

  7. September 11th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi everyone,

    Before I begin sharing stories about my dear pets with my kitty laying beside me on ‘her’ box on my desk, I want to say how much I look forward to Tuesday evenings, to hanging out and chatting with friends without my disability being an issue. Thank you.

  8. September 11th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Jesse - what’s an African chiclid? i could Google, but people who know are so much more interesting

  9. September 11th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
    Trisha said

    I’m a dog person, but I don’t have one now.

    I’ve thought about getting some hermit crabs but haven’t got around to it.

  10. September 11th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    They are small tropical freshwater fish. They are quite aggressive and need to be kept in schools or single couples per species of like temperment. That has half the fun. The other half was watching them swim. They have personalities that are amazing to learn.

  11. September 11th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jesse!
    It’s wonderful to see you!

  12. September 11th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    @ Liz and group, I’m in Tech Writing class at USF tonight. I’ll post pics of my old tank setup on my blog tomorrow. How about that, Nathania? :)

  13. September 11th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Glenda!
    Do you have a disability? I’m sorry I seem to have missed that. I’m kind of slow that way. :)

  14. September 11th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said
  15. September 11th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
    Nathania said

    Here’s pictures of Cinnamon when we first got her - at 8 months old - http://www.flickr.com/photos/14079872@N00/tags/cats/

    She was found by a rescue group at a shelter. Who puts a brown marble bengal in a shelter?

    Anyway,
    here’s Max the Beagle
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/14079872@N00/tags/beagle/

  16. September 11th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Glenda,
    Were you the interviewer or the interviewee?

  17. September 11th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
    Mike said

    Hey Glenda!

  18. September 11th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ;) Thanks Liz, I appreciate that. And you, my friend.

  19. September 11th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Jesse - that would be great. and thanks for the explanation of the fish.

    But how do you know what the temperament of a fish is?

    @ Glenda - Shadrach is quite the journalist!

  20. September 11th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Mike, how are you doing?

  21. September 11th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Nathania!
    Your piz are so cool! Thank you for them!

    I liked your latest blog article too!

  22. September 11th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    @Nathania

    Research. Lots and lots of research, shopping, and chatting with other owners on forums. It’s too expensive to make mistakes. They are between $7 and $50 per fish.

  23. September 11th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Nathania, adorable kitty. Who puts ANY in the shelter? My heart breaks to watch the “pet for adoption” ads. I’d adopt them all.

  24. September 11th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
    Char said

    Hi all! I am bringing you all a pet related game tonight - it’s called the Pig Blaster.

  25. September 11th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
    DaveOlson said

    Hey everyone… just stopping in quickly to say hi! Pets are a Maltese dog that my daughter talked me into getting when I was sedated after dental surgury; and my aquarium. Actually it’s the fish in the aquarium that are my pets. The fish are my favorite and my grand daughter loves them too!

  26. September 11th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Glenda, I hear you. Our other kitty, Ginger, I found running along a curb of a road near Walmart. She was tiny - 6 weeks old.

    My family says I’m not allowed to rescue any more cats - even though they love Ginger.

    I think they knew we’d be talking about Pets b/c they’re sitting right next to me, curled up together - making sure I say nice things about them.

    @ Liz - thanks for the compliment.

    @ Jesse - talk about a niche market! Also, I’d never really thought about the price of fish before.

  27. September 11th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
    Jason Alba said

    hi everyone :) I love snakes.

  28. September 11th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Char, where did you find that?! Rotfl Try playing it with one thumb!

  29. September 11th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
    Char said

    Believe it or not I just Stumbled on it - literally

  30. September 11th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
    Nathania said

    Did we all just crash the HI-LAR-I-OUS Pig game? Cuz I can’t get it to load again.

  31. September 11th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Dave!
    You are so incredibly cool. I preacher man who loves his daughter’s dog. . . I think I need a shrink. Is there one in the house?

  32. September 11th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Dave, how’s the back?

  33. September 11th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
    DaveOlson said

    Hi Glenda… it’s a bit better… still working on it. :-)

  34. September 11th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Hello Mike, Glenda, Liz, Jesse, Nathania, Trisha, Dave, and Char.

    Here’s the kitten that stormed into my life this weekend.

    Of course you can see why I don’t put many pictures on my blog. ;)

  35. September 11th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz, I have major in shrinkology. Close enough?

  36. September 11th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Jason!
    What sort of snake are we talking about?

  37. September 11th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
    DaveOlson said

    Hi Liz… you need a shrink… shrink wrap maybe???

  38. September 11th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
    Char said

    Rick - the kitty is too cute. I have pictures of all our pets on one of my sites - I’ll have to go track them down.

  39. September 11th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Rick - your kitten is SUCH a cutie baby!!!!!!!!

  40. September 11th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
    ME Strauss said

    I thought I saw Trisha here earlier !

    Hey there! Hi there! Trisha!!

  41. September 11th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ahh Rick,what a cute baby. How did s/he come to you?

  42. September 11th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
    DaveOlson said

    Gotta run… if my meeting is done soon enough I’ll stop back later.. (slowly backs out the door… watching cautiously to ensure no klondikes are thrown at him)

  43. September 11th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    I’m out, too. Class is wrapping up soon. Have a great night.

  44. September 11th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    She is cute, Char and Nathania. Of course this weekend when we rescued her she was a hellcat. I’m wounded for life.

    Max could be a stand-in for Underdog, Nathania.

  45. September 11th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Rick!
    Are you going to name the kitten “Stormy”?

  46. September 11th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    hmm, I have only one pic of my baby on my blog http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2007/virtual-book-tour-goes-to-the-dogs/ Perhaps I need to remedy that soon.

  47. September 11th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
    Jason Alba said

    Liz, I only like snakes that are between, say, 2 feet and say 6 feet. Others are either too boring or too big :)

    Love the crowd tonight!

  48. September 11th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Glenda, I wrote about finding Storm today.

  49. September 11th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Rick - when I rescued ginger, she was very mad at me. she bit me and her teeth went DEEP - and the wounds were deep and not on the surface - as if they were sealed somehow - weird

    As for Max, he may look like Underdog - but he’s no hero!!!!!! Good thing he’s darn cute. We’re trying to train him though.

  50. September 11th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
    Joe said

    Hey Liz,
    Hey All,

    I’m really a dog person, but K. is a cat person.
    Guess who won…

  51. September 11th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
    Jessie said

    Do you really get $40 just for hosting Shopzilla Ads through that link? I know its off topic, but I just noticed it there on your side nav, so I thought I’d ask. Where’d that come from? Do you like their program?

  52. September 11th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Faith is in a cat’s favorite position, Glenda. :)

    Joe, my better half has been wanting another dog for years. We got a porcelain bassett instead.

    One of these days I want to get another fishtank.

  53. September 11th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
    Nathania said

    @ Glenda - you have a puppy-cat, too? One of my kitties loves too play fetch! She found a piece of cord and she’ll bring it to us to throw so she can chase after it!

  54. September 11th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
    Joe said

    I once had a Dog named Bear (Lab/Akita) and a younger one named Chance (Lab/Border Collie) that were the best dogs in the world with kids.
    The problem is that Bear was an escape artist and he taught Chance everything he knew.
    Now, I have no dogs. :-(

  55. September 11th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
    Katie Baird said

    Currently, my only pets are mammals, but I have tried birds, reptiles and fish at various times.

    I have two cats and a dog. My cats are beloved by my assortment of male children but, alas, they grew up and none live at home any more. Although I am a cat lover, I am now wishing for furniture that isn’t shredded and to have a home that is free of cat hair.

    Think I’m ready to be just a dog owner, but see no way to unload my cats without breaking the hearts of my sons. What to do?

    Chester, my dog, is loved only by me. He’s a big old drooly and rather gassy Chesapeake who loves me back. My husband and the aforementioned boys are NOT enamored of him. His main claim to fame, however, is that he is great with my grandchildren, so he stays!

  56. September 11th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Yep Nathania, a puppy-cat! She follows me around, brings me her toys, says please when I feed her, begs [putting it mildly] for treats, comes for pee-n-pats. My spoilt baby.

  57. September 11th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi karen!
    Welcome!
    Drooly dogs are so cool!

  58. September 11th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
    Whitney said

    My house is…and has been for nearly 10 years…ruled by guinea pigs. Currently have four, all over the age of 3. Plus two foster piggies who are about 6 weeks old.

  59. September 11th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Hi Katie. Did you ever think about getting the cats’ claws sheathed?

    Glenda - What’s a pee-n-pat? Should I be afraid to ask?

  60. September 11th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    [whispers: is Becky here with the cool beverages? I'm parched]

  61. September 11th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    ~wave Hi Everybody! I hope to find lots of NEW pet related sites in my bloglines tonight, so if you have one .. ‘fess up and post it!

    PS. We participated in a “Dog Fashion Show” in August - I finally posted the pictures on my blog:

    That’s me with the Hi-Five on the first pic, and me again walking Sophie down the cat//dogwalk in the middle there.

  62. September 11th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    .. and, in case you were unable to click that invisible link *cough*
    http://www.petlvr.com/blog/2007/09/results-of-the-august-28-2007-dog-fashion-show/

  63. September 11th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Rick, Faith comes for a pat while I’m…well, you know lol

  64. September 11th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Joe!
    Hi Whitney!

    Did Becky sneak in?

  65. September 11th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Hey Guys! I got caught up working and forgot it’s Tuesday. (Again.)

  66. September 11th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
    Joe said

    Does anyone mind if I go a little off topic?
    I promise it won’t take long.

    I am looking for a plugin (WP of course) to include recent posts with captions (exerpts) in my sidebar.

    Check out my landing page http://mcbsconsulting.com and you will get an idea of what I’m trying to do.

    Thanks for your understanding and patience. :-)

  67. September 11th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Mr. Cree!
    At least you remembered you forgot!

  68. September 11th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi HART!
    I saw your dog fashion show today. It was quite elegant!

  69. September 11th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
    cat said

    Hi All.

    Pets. At the moment I have a pair of American Shorthairs. One of the reasons I went this route was the description of their personalities. They are not supposed to meow, they squeak. But, they are NOT quiet.

    And since I’ve moved into smaller accommodation, I had a Baan Meow built just for them.

    You’d think cats would feel embarrassed spending time in what was a bird cage, but they enjoy sleeping outside with the geckos, bats and other night creatures on the patio.

    If it’s dumping down, of course I keep them in at night. But, they let me know they miss their Baan Meow by running to the patio door when I stand up.

    Other pets I’ve had: fruit bat, monitor lizards, possum, tropical hanging bird, ferret, snakes of all kinds, dogs and cats of all sorts, horses, African jeweled frogs, hermit crabs, stick insects, fish, spiders, rats, small lizards (so many sorts I can’t list them all), talking budgies …

    need more tea …

  70. September 11th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Would it help if my work was on topic?

    I’m trying to get the Savannah Dachshund Club’s site fully functional before the Great American Wiener Dawg Race next month.

  71. September 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
    Nathania said

    LOVE the dog fashion show! But did they know they were walking down the CATWALK????

  72. September 11th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    Hi Liz .. it was fun.

    Joe - why do you need excerpts? I finally found a site that helped me aggregate the rss feeds with a small php script. but, there’s no excerpts. Maybe you can figure out? look at.. (i just started adding it today,it’s rough) http://www.hart-empire-network.com/blogs/health-and-fitness/

  73. September 11th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
    Whitney said

    If someone who doesn’t know anything about the type of pet you have were to ask you…

    “What’s the one thing I’d need to know about [fill in name of species or breed here] before bringing them home”

    …what would you tell them.

  74. September 11th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Are there any pets that like Klondike Bars?!!

    Just wondering ’cause I got a passel of the frosty treats…

  75. September 11th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    Nathania.. we renamed it the DOGwalk :) And, about half hour after the show it was renamed the Soaking-Wet-Rain-Storm-Walk .. there was a flash rain storm shortly after.

    PS.. I’ve added your SpiceCats sites into my bloglines! Hope to see more videos :)

  76. September 11th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
    Whitney said

    @74
    There are several species of pets who can eat ice cream — but that chocolate coating is a challenge because so many pets can’t eat chocolate.

  77. September 11th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
    Nathania said

    What’s the one thing I’d need to know about Beagles before bringing them home?

    1. They howl and whine alot.
    2. They sniff EVERYTHING.
    3. They need alot of exercise - so make sure you have the time.
    4. They will rip everything to shreds.
    5. Don’t feel bad about crating them.
    6. They can dig holes under a fence and escape - so put them on a chain when they’re outside.
    7. They’re difficult to train.
    8. Not good with young children.
    9. They’re cute.

  78. September 11th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    CC, Faith likes ice cream [and peanut butter], so she may come running, but only if Mommy has it. And, of course, every can being opened MUST Be tuna!

  79. September 11th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Whitney, Ice cream OK. Chocolate bad. Check.

    (Probably why I like chocolate so much myself. Mmmmmm…..)

  80. September 11th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
    cat said

    “Did you ever think about getting the cats’ claws sheathed?”

    RicK, BLESS YOU. I didn’t realise this was around.

    Do my cats destroy my furniture? Well, they did when they had their own room. They shredded a bed. Top and bottom mattress.

    They are pretty good in the rest of the house.

    I keep one of those ‘Dog Off’ beepers at my side in case they forget furniture is NOT for shredding.

    And they have a rather large cat scratcher to destroy.

    Now off to google cat sheathes … ta!

  81. September 11th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
    Mike said

    Hi Chris,

    I’m guessing our cat would like Klondike bars. He’s a different animal trapped in a cat’s body. Dogs like Klondike bars, don’t they?

    Mike

  82. September 11th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Cat!
    I always love your stories!

  83. September 11th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
    HART (1-800-HART) said

    Chris .. that dachshund site looks interesting. there’s a WienerPalooza event here in our town this Saturday that we are going to (because we know the pet clothes designer) but, thankfully our Papillon dogs aren’t allowed in the show - it’s all dachshunds.

  84. September 11th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Chris,
    I LOVE that weiner dog site!

  85. September 11th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
    Nathania said

    The daschund site is cute - i really wanted to get one, but we got a beagle instead. Humph.

  86. September 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
    Joe said

    Hey HART,
    Thanks, I don’t think I can adapt that layout for what I need.
    I want to draw people into the blog from the landing page so they get an idea of what I can do (there is always a contact link at the bottom of posts).
    Hopefully, that will help build a little confidence in me. ;-)

  87. September 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
    Char said

    Chris - the Dachshund site is great! Can I have a Klondike please?

  88. September 11th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    cat, I hear ferrets make good pets. Has this been your experience?

    I had a baby possum once. Meanest critter I’ve ever seen. He found a home in the woods pretty quickly. Baby raccoons are a lot of fun, though.

  89. September 11th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
    Chris Cree said

    I took a quick poll of the feline population in our house. Turns out I got two paws down on the Klondike Bars here.

    FatBoy said of human food he prefers finely sliced rotisserie chicken lunch meat.

    LowRider, on the other hand said human food smells funny and he won’t eat it.

    Cats are so strange!

  90. September 11th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Rick,
    Those possum are Baaaddd. Yep they are.

  91. September 11th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
    Mike said

    Hi Rick,

    You got that ferret tip from Kindergarten Cop, didn’t you?

    Mike

  92. September 11th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Great site, Chris! Our neighbor has a dachsund. Toughest, and sweetest little dog I’ve ever seen.

  93. September 11th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
    Mike said

    ‘Finely sliced rotisserie chicken lunch meat’?! Chris, if I show up on your doorstep will you adopt me as a pet?

  94. September 11th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Chris.
    It is of my believe that Klondike engineered their bars precisely so that cats wouldn’t be stealing them. They apparently had a problem with a cat by the name of . . . um, er. . . Garfield. :)

  95. September 11th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    I got the ferret tip from my wife, Mike. I stick with cats and fish. She woul like one of everything. :)

  96. September 11th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Mike,
    I hardly know a human who wouldn’t adopt you . . . Glenda would be first in line, I bet!

  97. September 11th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
    Whitney said

    One of my best friends has ferrets and has kept them as pets for nearly 20 years.

    They have great personalities. They play hard, sleep hard, like their snacks and treats. They can be a handful to hold if you’re not used to holding them.

    The rescue I work with often teams up with a ferret rescue here in the state (www.ferret-fact.org) once in a while for events and such. They encourage people to spend time carefully researching ferrets before bringing them home. Good rescues will work with you to help you figure out if ferrets are right for your home and lifestyle.

  98. September 11th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    What a dinner, Liz! Spaghetti, followed by a fine helping of Klondikes - six at least. :)

  99. September 11th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Rick,

    Kondikes with M&Ms dark choclate with peanuts.

  100. September 11th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Thank you, Whitney.

  101. September 11th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
    Mike said

    Thanks, Liz. I could make do in the trunk of the Ferrari!

  102. September 11th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
    Nathania said

    Oh man, that sounds AWESOME

  103. September 11th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
    Char said

    Here are the members of our pet family…

    Our black lab

    the cats

    and the rabbit

  104. September 11th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh Nathania!
    I can’t wait to hear which THAT you’re talking about. :)

  105. September 11th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
    Whitney said

    You’re welcome, Rick. Any time you have questions about small animals, drop me a line. What questions I can’t answer, I can definitely connect you with someone who can.

  106. September 11th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Thanks for all the feedback on the Wiener dog site! The head of the club put some great photos up. And I had a little help with the header. ;)

    Mike, I always thought there was something familiar about you. :lol:

    We had some friends who had ferrets down in Florida. They’d get the Ferret Pin-up calendar every year from Ferret Fancy magazine. Great pics!

  107. September 11th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
    Nathania said

    Liz - LOL - that=klondike with dark chocolate/peanut M&Ms

  108. September 11th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
    Whitney said

    Char, your black bunny is gorgeous! No, make that GORGEOUS! It’s not easy to find all-black bunnies.

  109. September 11th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
    Nathania said

    speaking of bunnies - very funny video….

    http://www.passion2publish.com/2007/08/friday-fun-th-2.html

  110. September 11th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Whitney
    It’s impossible to find klondike with dark chocolate/peanut M&Ms.

  111. September 11th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
    Whitney said

    Char: Lest your other pets get offended, they are equally GORGEOUS. I just have a particular soft spot for small/tiny animals.

  112. September 11th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Char, y’all have your very own food chain right there at home! Do they really all play nice together?

  113. September 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
    cat said

    Hi Liz, thanks!

    Rick,

    “I hear ferrets make good pets. Has this been your experience?”

    I loved my ferret, but she was a naughty little thing. Always stealing food and getting into tiny places where it was difficult to extract her. She loved her showers though.

    If ferrets eat some meats with preservatives, then they can get really ill. Also, if the females don’t have shots when they come into heat, it can be life threatening.

    Suzy would dive into the fridge and rush away with whatever she could find. Have you ever tried to take a piece of smoked salami away from a sharp set of teeth?

    One time I almost lost her (well, many times but this was the worst). It only took ten seconds for her to hide in a garbage bag before it went outside. But, a loping ferret is easy to spot if you have the patience to wait.

    “I had a baby possum once. Meanest critter I’ve ever seen. He found a home in the woods pretty quickly.”

    Mine was also a baby. It was in New Zealand, where they were illegal. My brothers had been hunting in the woods and shot its mother. Poor thing. It slept with me every night, under my electric blanket. During the day it clung onto on my head or shoulder.

    “Baby raccoons are a lot of fun, though.”

    I’d LOVE to have raccoons! They seem like cats in a way, but more of a handful. I guess I have that impression because all the movies show them getting into things.

    Did you have one long?

  114. September 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    You have some pretty pets, Char. The cats look like they’re doing what cats do best - supervising.

  115. September 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
    Joe said

    Chris, Don’t get upset now, I think Whitney is talking about a Rabbit. Not Your Gorgeous! ;-)

  116. September 11th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz, of course I’d adopt Mike!

  117. September 11th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
    Char said

    Thanks Whitney. She is the softest bunny I have ever held. She was the bunny that my daughter was given and my husband tried to veto. Then he fell in love with the bunny and built it a mansion - here is the mansion picture

  118. September 11th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
    Trisha said

    Hi Liz! Sorry I had to leave for a while.

    I had a border collie once - he was just great. I still miss him a lot. I would like another one someday when I have the time, etc.

  119. September 11th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Another off topic question: is anyone going to Blog World?

  120. September 11th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
    Mike said

    Psst. Liz, I feel I can trust you now.

    There’s a bustling black market for custom Klondike bars. It’s run by the Russian mafia, but if you’ve got the Benjamins, they can hook you up with some serious treats! The bars with Blue Bell cookies and cream covered with malted Godiva chocolate are unlike anything else you’ve ever tasted!

    Mike

  121. September 11th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
    Char said

    Whitney and Chris - we live on four acres with 450 undeveloped behind us - it is a regular “over the hedge” here on a daily basis. We have to humanely trap raccoons and release them in a field far away all the time. We have possums, squirrels, and such. We even had a billy goat come strolling through the yard once - but we still don’t know where it came from.

  122. September 11th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
    Mike said

    Thanks Glenda! It may take a while to pack a proper hobo bundle, so don’t worry that I’ll be there tomorrow! ;-)

  123. September 11th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
    Mike said

    Hi Trisha, welcome back!

  124. September 11th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Char, All I know is that if Low Rider saw your bunny, he’d mostly be thinking, “Lunch!”

    He goes totally bug nuts with the birds at the feeders that Gorgeous has right out side a couple of our windows.

    ‘Course our boys don’t go outside at all, even when they were in the Dog House.

  125. September 11th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    I hear you, but I think people could be listening. :)

  126. September 11th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    @cat - Ferrets are definitely too busy for my house, especially with grandchildren here, now.

    My dad was a coon hunter. The baby possum we got when his dogs killed it’s mother, so it was wild to begin with. We just kept it long enough to make sure it was weaned before releasing it.

    Baby raccoons we would get when my dad got a call from someone in town who had them living in their chimney or attic. Sometimes he could get the mother. At other times not. In those cases he would bring the babies home. My mom would bottle feed them until they were old enough to eat on their own. Then, when they had a chance of survival, we would release them.

    When they were young they were friendly, inquisitive, and would get into anything they could reach. You wouldn’t believe how skinny they can squeeze up. :) As they got older, though, their lack of domestication would begin to show and you couldn’t trust them not to bite. I wouldn’t recommend them, or any other wild animal, as a pet.

  127. September 11th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
    Whitney said

    The woman who runs the rescue I work with has battled a woodchuck for the last two summers. She plants a huge garden of veggies for the guinea pigs to help reduce the grocery bill for a few months. For the last two summers, a woodchuck (and we think maybe her babies) have raided the garden and eaten all the lettuce and broccoli. She usually levels the garden in one or two days.

    Must have been some very gassy, bloated woodchucks!

  128. September 11th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
    Mike said

    Hi Liz,

    After comments about showing up at Chris’ to be adopted for lunch meat, I think that I have a ready-made ‘mentally defective’ defense!

    Mike

  129. September 11th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
    Mike said

    And besides, the Klondike cabal has greased all the right palms in the Windy City!

  130. September 11th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Mike, the light will be on for you. Figured you might like to tinker on my Ferrari.

  131. September 11th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
    Char said

    Chris - our animals all get along really well. On a cold winter night, you can actually find both dogs and both cats all snuggled into one big ball in the garage - comical.

  132. September 11th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    I don’t know, Mike. You’re ready to live in Glenda’s trunk, and now you’re off to Georgia for Chris’ chicken. Does your wife know about this wanderlust?

  133. September 11th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
    Whitney said

    Char– I understand “over the hedge”. The hills around our office building are filled with hawks, turkey vultures, wild turkeys, woodchucks, coyotes, more species of small birds than can be identified.

    Springtime is interesting in the skies when the hawks and vultures are teaching their babies how to soar, dive, ride the wind, hunt, and so forth.

  134. September 11th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
    Char said

    Whitney - my daughters have been on my case to get them guinea pigs (like we need more pets) - I’ll have to show them your site.

  135. September 11th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
    Mike said

    Rick,

    My employer just got bought out, so you’ve got to have contingencies. Okay, so maybe the ‘migrant pet sending back slices of fine rotisserie chicken’ option is WAY down on the list, but you can’t be too prepared.

    Mike

  136. September 11th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
    Whitney said

    Char–
    Our “Are Guinea Pigs Right For Your Home?” questionnaire at http://www.ctguineapigrescue.org/adopt/aregpright.html might be helpful to all of you.

    If you, or they, have questions, don’t hesitate to drop me an e-mail. The e-mail link on the blog that my name (above) links to will connect you to me.

  137. September 11th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
    Trisha said

    Hi Mike!

    How can I turn this into a Doctor Who discussion? Let’s see - the doctor doesn’t have any pets (unless you want to count his human companions), there was an episode this season with cats that are sort of like people though. Maybe not one of the most realistic stories - that part of it anyway. And in the alternate earth stories rose’s parents didn’t have any kids, but they did have a dog they named rose.

    Well, I’ve got to go again, I’ll try to stop back if I can later.

  138. September 11th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
    Chris Cree said

    Mike, you are cracking me up! I’ll have to let Fat Boy know he’s got a kindred spirit out there. :)

  139. September 11th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
    Chris Cree said

    OK folks, I’ve been informed by the boys that they want to go to bed. Since my office doubles as the feline sleeping quarters, I’m off for a little shut-eye myself.

    Y’all have a wonderful (and fuzzy) night.

    Enjoy!

  140. September 11th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
    Mike said

    Hi Chris,

    Rick called me out and I had to come up with something on the fly. I’m guessing Google has never spidered past that phrase before…

    Mike

  141. September 11th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good Night, Chris!
    Thanks for coming!

  142. September 11th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
    Rick Cockrum said

    Cover all the contingencies. Spoken like a true programmer!

    I’m going to say good night. Thank you, Liz. Thank you for the information about ferrets, Whitney and cat.

    Y’all take care.

  143. September 11th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
    Mike said

    Night, Chris!

  144. September 11th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    [noone here is going to Blog World, she asks disappointedly]

  145. September 11th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
    cat said

    Rick,

    I wouldn’t want them around my grandchildren either. My son was around 8 or so when we got her, but he’s a special case. He has a kinship with all animals. The problem with ferrets and children is that the children don’t take care when going outside.

    And after your explanation of coons, I guess I wouldn’t want them either. Life is interesting enough with two ‘children’ to take care of!

    Well, I’m off all! It’s Wednesday morning, where JJ’s (weekend market) turns into a plant market.

  146. September 11th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
    Mike said

    Adios, Rick! Thanks for inspiring one of my truly goofiest comments ever (and that’s saying something!).

    Mike

  147. September 11th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
    Whitney said

    Heading out too. “Damages” just started on Fox. I’m hooked on it and the ads promised this episode was the one where all the pieces came together.

    See you…

  148. September 11th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good Night, Whitney!
    Have a great night!

  149. September 11th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good Night, Rick,
    Put all of that ferret info to good use!

  150. September 11th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
    ME Strauss said

    My older brother used to think I was his pet.

  151. September 11th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
    Mike said

    Glenda,

    I’d never heard of Blog World. The name brings to mind a picture of Wayne and Garth, sitting on the couch ‘air blogging’. That’s not right, is it?

    Mike

  152. September 11th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
    gp said

    Ah, a subject near and dear to this innkeeper’s heart…. With 4 horses, two of ‘em mine, Alle and Picken (thoroughbred mare)… not to mention… Manker our flat coat retriever, aka “the B&B dog”
    http://fishcreekhouse.blogspot.com/2007/07/horse-sense.html

    gp in montana

  153. September 11th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    No Mike, not Wayne’s World! Blog World http://www.blogworldexpo.com/

  154. September 11th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    A dog! GP! A dog!
    Where did the dog come from? !

  155. September 11th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Mike!
    Blog World Expo is a big deal!

  156. September 11th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz, are you going????

  157. September 11th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    No Glenda, I’m not!

  158. September 11th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
    Mike said

    Hi GP,

    For some reason I imagined that you had a whole stable full of horses; silly me!

    Mike

  159. September 11th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    drat, Liz. How come?

  160. September 11th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
    ME Strauss said

    I’d need a client to pay. :)

  161. September 11th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ah, the money thing! I’M letting the universe figure out the “how”!

  162. September 11th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
    Mike said

    Well, I guess I just proved that old ‘ignorance is bliss’ adage!

  163. September 11th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    How so, Mike?

  164. September 11th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
    ME Strauss said

    A friend once told me, “The universe shall not be thwarted.”

  165. September 11th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
    Mike said

    Glenda,

    Until you and Liz told me what a big deal Blog World Expo was, I didn’t know I was missing out on anything!

    Mike

  166. September 11th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Mike, just jumped in your jag and pop on over! lol How far is Vegas from Scottsdale?

  167. September 11th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
    Mike said

    For most cars it’s about 5.5 hours. For the Ferrari, it depends on how hard you want to push it and if you have that radar-absorbing paint job! ;-)

  168. September 11th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Radar absorbing paint job! Too cool!

  169. September 11th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ; - )

  170. September 11th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
    Mike said

    You didn’t know you could actually get one of those? I suppose you’re not a regular reader of ‘Soldier of Fortune’ or its ilk. The custom Klondike guys can definitely hook you up!

  171. September 11th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
    Mike said

    Uh oh. Comments are thinning out. I suppose I should say “Hi Troy” for his weekly late night drop-in.

  172. September 11th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Sure would be good to see Troy!
    I don’t know whether he has any pets.

  173. September 11th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
    Joe said

    Cats and Dogs
    And Rabbits and Ferrets

    I haven’t kept up
    Got lost in the Terrets

    With all our little friends
    And all the Big ones too

    We can find our way home
    With the help of the Few.

    Berma Shave

    Nite Liz
    Nite All

  174. September 11th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Sorry, looking up flights.

  175. September 11th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
    Mike said

    Good Night, Joe!

  176. September 11th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Good Night, Joe,
    Sleepy swell.

  177. September 11th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    aww, now that Joe has posted his ditty, open mic night is complete. Another great evening, Liz. Thank you.

  178. September 11th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Thanks, Glenda!
    Are the kitties sleeping?

  179. September 11th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Faith is out on the deck, enjoying the evening. Rough life!

    Found a flight! Figure I need to sell 100 ebooks in the next 7 weeks. Doable?

  180. September 11th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
    Mike said

    Glenda,

    What is your current run rate?

    Mike

  181. September 11th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    sorry Mike, which run rate?

  182. September 11th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
    Mike said

    How many eBooks are you selling per week?

  183. September 11th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    uh,1-2 in a good week.

  184. September 11th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
    Mike said

    So while you’re putting out good vibrations to the universe, you may also want to brainstorm ideas for bringing in those addtional 12 or so sales per week.

  185. September 11th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
    Mike said

    Okay Liz,

    I’m calling it a night. I’ll have the Russian ice cream man keep an eye on the joint in case any stragglers pop by.

    Cheers,

    Mike

  186. September 12th, 2007 at 12:06 am
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Nite all!

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