Domestic Geek

The other day when I stopped at the Hallmark store, I saw the cutest little ornament that featured a dog trying to get a toy out of a vending machine. It made me realize that this is the first Christmas in my whole life that I am dogless and my heart ached. I know I'm going to lose it when I unpack the stockings and see both Ursa's and Skippy's stockings (that I lovingly made) packed away never to be hung again. The sensible part of me knows that getting another dog is not the right thing to do, but he selfish part of me wants a furry friend to love. It's early, but I'm making a resolution for the coming year that I'm doing whatever it takes to get myself into a better living situation so that next Christmas, I'll have a reason to put a wrapped rawhide under the tree.

A long time ago, waaaaay back before I even had a blog, a coworker at the place of pizza employment was going through a divorce and had to get rid of his birds. I was told they were parakeets, so I agreed to take them in. Well, imagine my surprise that one of them was not a parakeet at all. After a bit of research, it turned out that one of them was a Peach-faced Lovebird — not only an expensive bird, but one that has quite a long life span. Marcus named it Kane after a popular WWF wrestler at the time that wore a red leather face mask (we later learned it was a girl when she laid eggs, but the name stuck). She's been in the original cage that I was given when I got her. Marcus and I both felt it was a little small for her, it was a pain in the butt to clean and the plastic bottom was actually cracked. We had planned on getting a new one, but circumstances and finances had never aligned right for us to get her a new home.

Now, I need to mention before I continue this story that I used to be quite the garbage queen, especially back in my pizza delivery days. Many a day I would come home with "treasure" that I had found in someone's trash and it would drive Marcus crazy, especially when it would sit around being more clutter. I promised him a few years ago that I would quit bringing home other people's trash.

About a month ago we were coming home from the store and as we turned the corner onto our street, there, perched upon the stuffed Hefty bags, sat a huge bird cage. I excitedly asked Marcus to pull over so I could get it. He said I wasn't going to take it and I begged for him to please stop the car. He gave in, and even though it was raining pretty steady, I got out and snagged it.

As per my procrastinating ways, it took a couple of weeks before I got around to cleaning it up (it was rather filthy from a parrot or something) and got it ready for her. It was missing the seed and water cups, so I found a suitable water dish and a couple of new wooden bars. While I was out getting those, I saw the same cage at PetSmart retailing for $119 (though the model originally came with a stand). Score! I was feeling quite happy that I had snagged it for free! Well, we got her all moved in and it took a few days for her to get accustomed to the new digs, but she seems quite happy now and her old cage has since ended up in the dumpster.

I couldn't believe that someone would just throw a cage they had obviously invested such a chunk of cash in, but I am so glad that they did.

So, I tried to get a dog this past weekend. A friend of mine sent out an email that a friend of hers was fostering a dog that needed a home. When I saw the picture of the shepherd/husky mix, I knew I wanted that dog! I emailed back and forth with the foster mom and had the application all filled out and was rounding up some references. I asked my friend that sent me the original email if she would be a reference and she told me that the dog was undisciplined. I had been given the impression that the dog was well-behaved and just needed some leash training. With Marcus and I both working, I need a well-trained dog and can't have one at home eating and chewing everything in site. I emailed her back with my reasoning for withdrawing my offer to take him. I was crushed.

I still want a dog, dang it.

Someone on a forum I frequent posted a link to a site called abc distributing. While looking around over there, I saw this novelty toilet dog bowl that I absolutely must have once I get another dog. Since every single dog I've ever had in my life has been determined to drink out of the toilet, this thing would be perfect.

On a related note, my friend Amy found a great dog brush called a FURminator for her dog Grace. It's supposed to be absolutely amazing at getting those thick undercoats out. I know that was one of the biggest problems I had brushing Ursa and since I'd like to get another Malamute, I wanted to make note of this product before I forget about it. She got hers on eBay, but they sell them at PetSmart and Petco, too.

It's long been known that pet owners have less stress in general that non-pet owners. There's something therapeutic in stroking a big, fuzzy creature.

I want another dog. While we still have bunnies, it's just not the same as having a dog, you know?

I've been reading a fellow 'thonner and Colorado resident over at Tucker Talks Back (blogging for Max Fund). Tucker is a Siberian Husky. Made me think of my old beloved dog Ursa that was an Alaskan Malamute.

EDIT: If you haven't been around the last few years, I wanted to share a picture of my beloved dogs. We lost Skippy this last January (the brown Shepherd mutt). We lost Ursa (the Alaskan Malamute) back in August 2002. I miss them.