Wow...someone just gave me the link to this post, and I am both happy and sad at what I've read. How can ANYONE say that humans are *above* animals??? These are not just pets...they are souls. And who is anyone to say or know that animals are "below" us? Just because we can talk and have jobs and blah blah blah? No...that's just plain wrong. Animals are extremely special, and if anything, THEY are more superious than us! As for pets, if someone looks at a dog or cat as "just a pet" that can be easily replaced, then don't get one! Because a time will come when you may have to make a very important decision about healthcare, and that "pet" is better off with someone who will make the right decision. Now, I am in no means a rich person. FAR from it! But my dog (a labrador retriever) was diagnosed with cancer when she was 6 years old (3 years ago). I know most people would not give the dog treatment, and if you don't have the means, then I can completely understand. But for those that say "my dog/cat is part of the family".....would you let your son or daughter suffer and eventually die from cancer without even doing anything to help them, even if it put you in debt?? I don't think so! Then either take out a loan for your dog/cat, or STOP saying they are part of your family. Needless to say, I did the treatment. Yes, I know she wasn't a puppy...but she still had years of life ahead of her, and she deserved those years. She still thanks me every single day for what I did for her...in her own little way. The treatment consisted of spinal surgery to remove the tumor, followed by 3 weeks of radiation treatment. The cost? Altogether it was $12,000. Now, many of you may think I'm crazy, but my dog is still here with me, and she is the most amazing creature I've ever known. There are people that spend that kind of money on materialistic things in a year's time. I mean, who here has more than $12,000 in credit card debt? Who here has that debt from clothes/furniture/etc? Here's my point: Most people don't have to face the decision I had to make. But I hope you can look at what I did and realize that a few hundred dollars for treatment or even just a "check-up" isn't too much if you really love your animal. If you TRULY can't afford treatment for your pet, fine. But really THINK about whether or not you can really *afford* it.....I'll bet you can, you just don't want to, or you can find better things to spend the money on. Thanks for letting me "vent".

You know Rosie, I wonder how I find the time myself! I guess I just squeeze it in where I can find it. I also work full time so it gets even more difficult. I guess it helps that the kids are old enough to not need me every minute they are here so that helps. "Over the top!" You're so right! I started with just two cats, Norman and Lucy. Then we got the dog... then Taz was adpoted after he was hit by a car in front of our house and nobody ever claimed him... then Spoot (he's a Maine Coon Cat) needed to be adopted and my husband and I have always wanted a Maine coon! Sooooo We have put a stop on animals! The bunny is a mini rex and lives in the house with the rest of us. She is litter box trained and loves the Maine Coon cat especially, and the dog too. We did have a chipmunk living with us as well but she passed away last year. People will call me and start off with "do you know anyone who wants a...?" I have to stop them right there! Enough is enough! lol

I just saw outdoor jack o'lantern pieces in front of Kroger before the kids are back in school and thought that was bad. Have received a couple of Halloween/fall themed catalogs recently, but not Christmas (unless DH is pitching them before I see them). I understand stores that sell for crafting stocking early. It can take months to do some projects (needlework, esp) and some folks start making in quantity to sell. I', used to those showing up in July, but I can't think about Christmas when kids are still out of school and we're being told we are just getting to the heart of hurricane season (supposed to be an active one and we haven't really ahd anything yet). And until the rain hit this past weekend, we'd been up over 100 degrees.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and your interest in our "growing" little family! Baby Tonto quickly found his way into our hearts, and as with Posy, we are absolutely smitten with this kitten! He is SUCH a little lovebug. He will literally run and jump into your arms when he sees you come through the door (he's still sequestered away from the rest of the gang, but we are doing slow introductions), and he nuzzles and kisses like crazy, and has his purr-motor going constantly. I have a fuzzy pink robe that I wear in the mornings, and he has taken to kneading it like mad and suckling on it. It must remind him of mama! I just let him do it ... it'll wash! In typical kitten fashion, Tonto is nonstop movement and it's hard to get him to sit still long enough to take his photo. This one looks slightly possessed, but this is pretty much him in action! He manages to somehow look like a big boy in the pictures I do get of him ... But he's still quite itty-bitty, as the size of his head will show here ... The other cats are having mixed reactions to Tonto. While Posy initially seemed ok with him, she's started acting a bit more aggressive towards him. She sits right outside the door to "his" room, but when brought INTO his room, she sits next to the door and whines and yowls, sticking her paws out underneath the door as though to say to the cats on the other side, "Get me OUT of here, you guys!" She has run at him a few times and slapped at him, and of course there's the hissing that comes from BOTH of them. Tonto sounds like the tiniest little snake! He seems to be able to hold his own, and while he hasn't been the aggressor, he doesn't run away from the others either. After awhile, they'll sort of settle down, and even sleep within a couple of feet of each other, but they are still keeping a wary eye out. The playful interaction I'm hoping for just hasn't happened yet. In the meantime, Posy is getting more and more integrated into the activities of the older cats. She is almost always in their presence, and they don't seem to mind her anymore. Penny especially is doing much better with her. Although they still won't play or cuddle together, Posy does seem to have infiltrated their little "posse" and more or less become one of the gang. Old man Pooh seems to like BOTH of the young newcomers. Molly is still ambivalent and a little grouchy about the whole thing. Penny is not at ALL keen on the new baby. I'm sure all things will work themselves out in Catland, as they always do. That doesn't stop me from longing for everyone to get along well in the here and now, so I'm working on my patience as well! Here is Posy after tiring herself out Friday evening being grouchy towards Tonto. Perhaps having a baby makes her seem so much bigger in comparison, but I swear she has had a major growth spurt just in the past couple of weeks. This pic of Posy was taken just recently: And this was taken on Saturday. (I love how her face is a little bit Spuds MacKenzie looking here! Remember him?) She is an amazing little cat. :-) Finally, here's a quick snap of Penny I took yesterday. Her eyes looked so green up against the colors of the bedding. Doesn't quite translate in this photo, but I thought she was still looking pretty. :-)