Pet Monologues

This post celebrates World Animal Day and Bless the Animals. Follow the links to learn more about PM’s initiative which started on October 4.

Nyctanassa violacea

Free Performance
Our resident Yellow Crowned Night Heron
perched on the pier at dusk and posed patiently
while I memorized her theatrical black mask.
After a time, she turned full circle, fluttered
an operatic fan of dark spiky wings,
opened a long pointy beak,
spat something that bounced hard
–a brown ruby, perhaps—
and flew off to another engagement,
charging absolutely nothing for the show.

Poem by Lucia Blinn

Phylum:Chordata Class:Aves Order:Ciconiiformes Family:Ardeidae Genus:Nyctanassa Source by New Hampshire Public Television/NatureWorks

Editor’s note: wonderful timing on this from our brilliant contributor Robbay. When I saw the cartoon I told him the pros and cons of this TV writer’s strike thing and what it is doing to me. Thanks Robbay!

created by A side of cartoons please

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Your dog doesn’t want to just play…he wants to play with you!!

Catch & fetch star

Hover craft dog toy

Seen at Ruff Wear

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Even the strongest canine swimmer needs to be safe and seen in open water.

K-9 Float coat

Made by Ruff Wear

Seen at Ruff Wear

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Hand painted products by American designer Michelle Allen.

Seen at chimpfeet.com

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Recycled rubber pet placemats from o.r.e. is perfect for you and your pet. The special non-skid surface keeps the mat and bowls in place, even better the mats are washable! (just rinse under cool water & clean with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth)

Seen at thecatconnection.com and chimpfeet.com and o.r.e. originals

My grandmother is ill and cannot care for her aging Yorkshire terrier.

Editor’s note: This is a letter to Cary Tennis, advice columnist, Salon Magazine

Dear Cary,

I am stressed and wrestling with an ethical dilemma: Would it be right to put down the 11-year-old dog of my grandmother, who has middle-onset Alzheimer’s disease?

It’s the eve of Thanksgiving and my grandparents are both here, with this dog, a tiny, whiny Yorkshire terrier who has learned to beg constantly. It’s not her fault; my grandmother forgets that she has just fed her, hears her whine (oh the sound of that whine!) and gives her another largish helping of steak or chicken or cookies, or whatever anyone happens to be eating at the time. As a result, the dog is overweight, out of shape (she will not walk more than five feet before stopping and dragging her feet), largely incontinent (I just wiped up hot dog pee 10 minutes ago), and the most annoying creature on the planet. I mean, I don’t have kids yet (I’m 24), but if this were my kid I would send it straight to boarding school.

Unfortunately, though, this dog is the center of my grandmother’s small and dimming world, along with my grandfather, who is in fine mental condition but has some cardiac problems — I think she likes to feel that the dog needs her and isn’t judging her for mental lapses (not that the rest of the family is, I think we’re doing a good job of stimulating and caring for her). My mom asked her once whether she would be more upset if she (her daughter) died or if the dog died, and she indicated that the death of the dog would make her more upset. Read the rest of this entry »

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

For the pampered pet, or the owner with an appreciation for architecture, this unique dog dwelling features a skylight, a plush ultra suede cushion, and mod styling to fit your decor.

Available in Poplar (shown) and Brazilian Cherry (outdoor). Custom sizing available for small (shown) and medium size dogs.

Seen at Modern Object

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Here are two innovative skritchers. Cats love them. Furniture loves them.

Pounce designed by Everyday Studio

Skritch

Scritch is made out of sisal and Pounce out of corrugated cardboard, a sustainable product.

Nap seen at Better living through design Skritch seen at Wowbow

Holiday shopping. Here come the animal products!

Ultra. Tut tut.
Studio. Yum yum.

Roll dog. Fun fun.

Wetnoz offers a range of contemporary styled luxury pet accessories for both Fluffy and Bowzer.

Seen at Wetnoz