Raising Animals.

So, many people who know me know that I would probably be willing to raise any kind of animal except eels or ants. But even ruling them out could be an overreaction. See I have always had a fear of birds. Mostly geese and chickens. But penguins were always the exception. So then I thought to myself that if penguins are okay then maybe ducks are too. Then I fell in love with ducks and now I own 7 ducks, 5 chickens, 2 dogs, 3 cats, 20 cows. So you would think that I'll just take care of any animal that I encounter but that is also not true.

Before I got my first dog, Fubu, I researched Pugs, and health problems they can have and how much of a financial investment they can be. I looked up how much space and walking they need. I looked for what their average lifespan is, everything. I still do this with every animal I get I research as much as I can until I feel comfortable that I am familiar with their particular needs. At the time I got Fubu I had already had several family dogs and I worked in a dog grooming van. I wasn't a dog newbie. But I feel like it's your job do research an animal before you decide to be responsible for it's life and well-being.

So although it may seem like an all of the sudden snap decision to some people that I got chickens. It wasn't I had been discussing it with my husband for about 3 years. We discussed where we would keep them who would care for them if we went on vacation. How I would deal with my fear of the chickens. We knew that I would have to get babies and raise them from that age so that I would get attached before their pecking could do any damage. We knew that we wanted to raise chickens for eggs and not for meat as I can't handle eating something I raised very well yet. (I do eat our beef but I eat much less beef now that I raise them and I can't think about which cow I'm eating because it breaks my heart.) We researched what kinds of chickens we want. I have watched videos on other peoples nesting boxes. We knew how much it costs to feed and care for them. All of that. So it was in no way a snap decision. I did indeed see chicks in the feed store and decide that was the day I was going to get chicks but I still went home and slept on it and got chicks the next day.

This may seem like common sense to a lot of people but there is a disturbing number of people out there who just get something cause it's cute and learn how to care for it later. That to me is the epitome of irresponsibility. I can't imagine not knowing how to care for something before you get it. It's a tiny little life you are now responsible for and just like with children, you don't just need to keep them alive but you need to make sure they turn out good. I raised Sasha our lab/elkhound mix from a pup and I didn't need to just keep her alive, I had to make sure she knew not to nibble on peoples hands and how to go potty outside. I had to teach her how to walk on and off the leash. She has cute tricks she does like tucking me into bed and shaking, that weren't necessary but people think it's cute. It was a lot of hard work to turn her into the dog she is today. But she is a great dog now.

Some people think of animals more like decorations then living beings. You don't buy a dog to let it just be out for decoration. They have feelings and needs too. So before you go buy a bunny for your kid for Easter or a chicken for eggs or even a dog or cat. Please make sure you know not only how to keep it alive but also how to raise it and love it!

Shasha the dog that doesn't fit in.

This is my dog, Sasha. I got her as an early Christmas present for my husband a few years ago. Her daddy is Lab/Norwegian Elkhound. And her mommy is Lab/Jack Russell. She is the thing I never knew I needed. But I'll save all her praises for another day. Sasha's most outstanding quality is her love and compassion. She feeds her stuffed animals everyday. They take turns going head first into her (usually already empty) food dish. She loves all animals. We have cattle and she plays with the babies. They kiss noses. She has a Puggle brother who she adores. When we had ducks she would kiss them and swim with them. She and Carlisle (my duck) would run up to each other so she could kiss his beak. She once found a little roof rat she wanted to be friends with. But she played to rough and accidentally killed him. She looked so sad. She didn't want to come in she kept poking him with her nose trying to wake him. She mourned that stupid rat for weeks. She would go outside and go straight to that spot and lay down and pout. She never makes noises but she would wimper at night. She is truely the most warm hearted dog. So on the farm she can't understand why the chickens run from her. She doesn't know why they don't want her kisses. The only thing she is lacking is any skills to actually be a dog. See when she was a puppy she was around an unfixed male dog and my husband taught her to sit when he tried sniffing around her area. Well as I'm sure you know dogs get to know each other by sniffing each other's areas. But Sasha is a lady. So any dog comes up and she sits. Which leads to every dog looking at her like she's nuts and leaving her alone. My husband was recently building fence with two family friends and between the two of them they have 3 dogs. All slightly smaller then Sash. So Hubby took Sasha with him. All the other dogs ran and played while Sasha sat by her human and watched him build fence. During a break he saw a mouse. She did everything she could to try to befriend that mouse. Slowly approaching and even crawling on her belly under a farm vehicle because her friend was running away from her under there. Poor girl she gets along great with her brother, Riley the puggle. And she is never mean to other dogs she just doesn't fit in. Her daddy taght her to be a lady which made her socially awkward around other dogs. Anything from lizards to birds to cats or beavers are her friends, but not dogs, dogs are weird.

Dogs or Cats?

I feel like everyone needs to define everyone else too much. You're either a dog person or a cat person. A liberal or a conservative. You either love or hate cilantro. When in reality I think there is a lot of people who fall into the grey areas. I love cilantro so that one's black and white. I am mostly liberal with a few conservative viewpoints. So that's mostly cut and dry for me but Cat person or Dog person. How could I choose? I have always had both in my life. I love cats. They have a diva attitude like me. They are always good snuggle buddies. They do hilarious things like trying to walk vertically. My cats can say mom, dad, and out. They can also say yes and no. A cat like a baby is far more entertained with a box then with the contents of the box most of the time. I can hold my cats like babies. They are good listeners. But dogs. They are never anything less then crazy enthusiastic to see you. They keep you warm at night. They always put your needs first. They are selfless piles of love. My big dog can tell me when I'm going to have a seizure. My little dog has the most adorable smooshy puggle face in the world. I feel like every animal I have had was meant to be in my life. Dog, Cat, Duck, Rabbit, Cow, Rat, or Bearded Dragon. They have all come into my life for a reason and there is no way I could say that I'm more aligned with one type of pet. So sorry people I'm not a cat or dog person I'm a catdogcowlizardamphibianbatrodentduckfishetc. person. I love them all! Don't make me choose. or I'll make you choose which eye you'd rather have me poke :p