Pet’s are truly amazing characters, willing to be in a fun shot as long as you give them love all the rest of the time.
—-
Raymond Marr

http://blog.homeofknatchwa.net
http://facebook.com/raymond.marr
http://helium.com/users/224664

—-
Raymond Marr

http://blog.homeofknatchwa.net
http://facebook.com/raymond.marr
http://helium.com/users/224664

—-
Raymond Marr

http://blog.homeofknatchwa.net
http://facebook.com/raymond.marr
http://helium.com/users/224664

A gift from a neighbor, a lover of pets, with 3 Dogs all her own, brought an early Christmas Gift, for our dog Annie. It was a gently used dog bed shaped as a bone, as her own dogs have enough beds. Initially Annie – Sniffed it checked it out and then walked away. Seeing as it was something new our dog usually likes to check it out beforehand and check it out time and again before she would settle down and make it her own.

The big difference is though, the fact that she is also competing with our youngest cat, Mona, who has a tendency to take initiative more then wait and wait. This new bed was the same, though Annie was trying to take the time to check it out, our little feline decided she would go check it out. After it passed her initial inspection she passed it up at first but then returned to it, this time kneading and forming it to her own personal preference. As cat’s tend to do when they like something, once it was formed to her specifications she decided to nap in it. Later since she has an interest in boxes, to a point where every single box that comes through this house she needs to inspect we moved the bed to a recent box addition. Forming it once again she happily decided that was exactly what she was looking for and since then has slept in that box mounted dog bone bed every night since.

Since Annie did not claim it apparently mona claimed it for herself, now unless that bed is relocated out of the box, I do believe Annie will not have another chance to test it, but since no one knows the future there can only be guesses. Far as mona understands this box mounted dog bone bed is just what the tortoise shell kitty ordered.

The Youngest Cat Mona

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”  ~Pauline R. Kezer

With the new month turning and a new opportunity for change I figured I would start with something as simple as a change of a profile photo on twitter for an account of particular interest, to animals and owners alike.

The end result is the photo you see here, of our youngest Tortoise Shell cat devoid of anything but the simplest of black and white. The simplest colors, yet they also bring out the best attributes of this one of a kind little cat.

I have written about her before, in earlier articles that are found in earlier posts, yet it seemed so proper, as we move from summer to fall, as the seasons change, so must we in our day-to-day grind that is often called life. To change things even if slight can often help you see something different, view things from a different perspective and grow through the challenges that are also par for the course.

It is that simple idea, why I made the choice today to make that slight change, as a movement forward in a slightly different direction. With that change the plan is to also update and share more stories, of animals pets and the love that is shared so keep checking back.

Sweet & Sassy

“With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?”
– Fernand Mery

It is a remarkable thing, how a cat can be so independent and loving, an animal who knows from experience that survival is of the utmost importance and food being the key to healthy life. That of course the unspoken truth, yet to be sure today, as I write this our cat pictured here did something surprising and perhaps cute.

You see she spends more time in retirement sleeping but she also can be found exploring  a closet or resting under covers. Partly because in the closet is her litter box, that is of course not the only thing that is in that closet. There is also her dry food, that is usually closed or at least so I thought. The result was the next time I check on her she has her head in the food bag and chowing down, even though her food bowl had some food in it she wanted the fresh stuff straight from the bag. Instead of waiting she just went for it. The funny thing was this is the first time I have seen her do that. Otherwise I probably would have stopped it earlier. At the very least it was good to laugh and to offer the same love that she offers without condition by smiling and giving her a hug. Though I think I put a damper on her raiding of the food bag by closing it up. She still is a feline of surprises, as loving a cat as a person can be so fortunate to have in their life.

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.

~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

What is mentioned by Chief Seattle, holds true even today, where there is still that connection, the photos below show some of those pets who continue the connection with Earth, Who Offer Love without Condition or Expectation.

…she just wanted to play so I ran after her knowing full well I could catch her but not planning to, instead just sneaking up on her as she ran around again.

It is in these moments of natural silence, with complete relaxation, that often inspiration can be found to bring out the pen and the paper and write a sentence, a paragraph and perhaps a page. To write about a simpler existence, in recalling that it still exists if we would just take the time to see it with our own eyes and experience by our own human locomotion. A cat knows this world, when she is loved and taken care of, when she is happier when there is only silence, providing an ample opportunity to relax.

Read More @

One of the most amazing things about this breed is their ability to adapt to almost any situation. They serve in a wide variety of professional fields as well as making outstanding companions.

via Pit Bull Lovers

When you hear about Pit Bulls, what are the first thoughts on your mind? Sadly most of the thoughts in relation to Pit Bulls, are of a negative sort. Usually a direct result of all the Bad Press, that gives Pit Bull’s a bad rap. It’s really to bad because in actuality Pit’s are great dogs, as they one that has been in my family for years, has never shown to be the snarling beast, that doesn’t let go as the media likes to present them. What is the worst of it, is that is what usually sells newspapers, only bad news. My hope with this article is to shed some light on the subject, and help others realize Pit Bull’s are Great Dogs.

To start the history of Yoda, was of a regular born Pit Bull in the rural areas of Salinas, where he was well taken care of, just as his mother was also, when they had puppies Yoda was the runt of the litter. My little brother Paul Marr (Link to His Facebook) who was part of FFA and was helping to raise a pig,(Link to Article)  had come across Yoda, at a farm nearby where he was keeping his pig. He immediately fell in love with the dog, as little Yoda was friendly and inviting. There was no pre conceived notions about this breed when he decided to take this little puppy home, and to raise him to be the best dog ever. Certainly it was not a walk in the park, but throughout all the years I have known Yoda, he has not snapped at anybody, or attempted to attack them he has only shown unconditional love and appreciation, for this family that he adopted.

Certainly he has been to obedience school, to make him a better dog, not as a punishment, but instead just as with any breed, obedience training always helps. Funny thing he had to go through it twice not for him but for my father who is currently his handler and his wife. Yoda picked up on it the first time the second time was so my father could get it, interesting how a pit bull is a faster learner then a human.  Though it also proves the point that Pit Bull’s can be trained, and they are quick studies. Why I also say how your Bull Terrier acts is a direct result of how you train them too. For the better or the worst certainly Pit Bull Terriers are quick studies.

As with everything they are a result of how you train them, for the better or the worst. The bad raps they get from the press, is simply because they sell, mauling, rabid dogs, these sort of things sell and why not make a breed out to be the enemy, simply because they can learn more quickly than most humans?  Really the Bull Terrier breed does not warrant such bad press, yet the only way for stories to change, and points to be made clear is that there is awareness. Understanding that Pit Bulls, can be trained, and should be trained for the companionship that will last a lifetime, not as fighting dogs only there for a quick buck from a bet on a fight. Instead the Pit Bull Handlers, should take the time to lead by example, by training your Bull Terrier well, you will be rewarded with a flexible dog, strong and willing, to be the best pet it can be, as the quote I started with on this post, they are flexible and uniquely sharp, so be the best trainer, to be rewarded with the best pet, who will love you for many years of your life and will be there at your side through the good and bad times as a companion for life.

What is your story? How have you made your Bull Terrier the best pet ever, and the lifelong companion? Why not share in the comments down below. Truly Bull Terriers are wonderful dogs, our Yoda still is with us to this day, he has certainly grown, but he is also the most caring companion you could ever know.