Did you know that yesterday was National Pet Day? I just missed getting my post in on time by an hour or so. I didn’t even celebrate this special holiday with my pets. I’m in Chicago, at the Appo photo organizing convention…which I’ll be sharing more on later this week. While I’m guessing my pets didn’t notice that I missed this milestone event with them, I decided to write a post on our 7 furry family members anyway to share a few memories.
Saint has been with us the longest. She is petite lab and an absolute love. When she first came to live with us, I came home one day and caught her on the kitchen counter top. Literally ON the kitchen counter, licking bowls in the sink. I screamed so loudly, she has never done it again. I have never seen a dog, and especially one her size, jump up on a kitchen counter.
Clara (aka Clara Belle, or Belle) came to us when we decided Saint needed a friend. Saint picked Clara out. We went to the shelter to walk dogs with Saint to find a friend for her. Saint liked Clara so much, we didn’t end up walking anyone else. Clara came from somewhere down South. She’s an English Shepard mix, was probably abused in her former life as she is to this day skittish around men, and does not like storms (we always know when one is coming thanks to her…she is a big fraidy cat). When a teacher at school asked my youngest son what kind of dog she was, he told her Clara was a Southern belle. She also is a “whacker” when she wants attention…watch out for those paws. And she loves to swim…once she’s in a pond or lake, she’ll swim laps forever…she does not want to get out.
Murphy is the newbie and is the happiest dog I have ever met. He’s a German Shepard – Golden Retriever mix, although everyone seems to think he is a lab. I’ve met his parents, so I know he is not! He gets into everything he should not; chases his tail like a cat and seems to have no clue it’s attached to him; hates to ride in the car and once had an epic accident on a boys trip to our ski condo, causing the complete loss of a computer backpack and a disgusting screen saver that my youngest son used for a year (why is it that boys think this is funny?); squeezes through our pool fence rails which doesn’t seem possible, and his best friend is Luna, the cat.
Luna (aka Lu or Lu-Lu) is the queen bee cat. She is beautiful, has the loudest motor I have ever heard on a cat, and is super sneaky. You can never hear her coming, which is bad for birds and mice. She’s let 2 birds go in the house, which creates absolute chaos. She snuggles with Murphy, grooms his face and ears, and even plays with his tail on occasion. She can pretty much do anything she wants to him, and he’s happy.
Calypso (aka Caly or Caly-girl) is our smallest kitty. She likes to sit under the faucet and get drenched while licking the water off her fur. She will cuddle occasionally…I’m hoping as she gets older she’ll be more cuddly…I really wanted a cuddly cat! Caly likes to wake me up in the morning, which I don’t always appreciate.
Oreo is Caly’s litter mate and is quite helpful to me during the workday (NOT) by walking across my computer and whacking me to get my attention. Oreo’s claim to fame is that she once jumped in our swimming pool, I am sure by accident. She calmly swam to the steps and hopped out. Oreo HATES to be picked up. Sometimes I sing the Ice Cold Milk, Oreo cookie song to her. Secretly, I think she enjoys it.
Gunner (aka Big Boy) tricked us at the shelter. He was cuddly at the shelter…and as soon as we brought him home…not so much! His name at the shelter was UHaul, because they found him in one. He is the only animal that we’ve ever adopted whose name we have changed…I just couldn’t imagine calling him UHaul. He does kind of look like one though. We named him after my daughter’s soccer team last year.
You probably now think I am one of those crazy animal ladies now. I’m really not. I just think we have plenty of love to go around. But I’m not allowed to visit the shelter at this point either.
Ilene
Saturday 13th of April 2013
What an awesome tribute to your pets! Your dogs are gorgeous! I love big dogs - Amazing that a dog as big as Murphy can squeeze through the fence but I guess when there's a will, there's a way!
Michelle Nahom
Saturday 13th of April 2013
I love big dogs too! Murphy's got a lot of "wills"...he is one busy pup! But so sweet and loving too! How many dogs do you have?
Susi
Friday 12th of April 2013
Hi Michelle. I'm coming over from Ann Marie's to say Hello. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has a lot of animals without considering myself a crazy animal person... our zoo is a bit smaller now, as we just recently lost our beloved Macy (a German Shepherd mix)... but we still have our Yorkie, Gracie - our cat, Finn and a hamster and gerbil.
Michelle Nahom
Saturday 13th of April 2013
Thanks for coming over to visit! What would our lives be like without our wonderful pets? I really can't even imagine! I have been at a conference all week (here thru tomorrow) and its been so jam packed, I am really behind on my blogging stuff!! I will be by to visit you too!
The Dose of Reality
Friday 12th of April 2013
Oh...I LOVE this!! I am very impressed. I kept scrolling and scrolling and scrolling and a new adorable pet would pop up every time! I just LOVE it! We have a dog and a cat and I can't imagine life without them. Our pets are as much a part of the family as the rest of us! Love reading about all of their personalities. I just adore pet people!! :) --Lisa
Michelle Nahom
Saturday 13th of April 2013
Pet people are the best! Seriously, they give us so much love and they are a great source of entertainment too. I think Murphy could use a puppy pal, but if I went and got him one, I'd be in big trouble!! Luna is great with him, but she doesn't roughhouse.
Kim
Friday 12th of April 2013
Love this peek into life with your animal friends! We had a dog and a cat, both of whom are no longer with us. I miss them. The boys are slowly trying to convince me that we need a puppy. I am sure there will come a day when we have a pet again.
Michelle Nahom
Friday 12th of April 2013
Well if you've been reading my posts, you know what kind of messes Murphy gets himself into. But he is our first puppy and we have enjoyed him immensely. He, and all of them, bring a smile to my day!
Tamara
Friday 12th of April 2013
I always wanted a house full of kids and dogs. One day! Right now it's just kids but the dogs will come..
Michelle Nahom
Friday 12th of April 2013
We went through a phase when our kids were young where we only had one dog and then we went to 2 dogs, then 2 dogs and 3 cats (of course we could not go into the shelter and come home with only one!), then we added another cat because I wanted a cuddly one...who didn't turn out to be cuddly...and then Murphy came along...I am not allowed to go anywhere near the shelter at this point!!