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Poll Do You Have Pets / Animal Companions?

What Pets Do You Have?

  • Cats

    Votes: 180 53.1%
  • Dogs

    Votes: 195 57.5%
  • Small or Exotic Animals (rodents, rabbits, reptiles, fish, insects, etc)

    Votes: 62 18.3%
  • Indoor Birds (parrots, canaries, etc)

    Votes: 29 8.6%
  • Farm Birds (chickens, geese, turkeys, ducks, emus, etc)

    Votes: 11 3.2%
  • Farm Animals (cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, etc)

    Votes: 16 4.7%
  • Another animal not mentioned.

    Votes: 11 3.2%
  • I love animals but don't own any.

    Votes: 27 8.0%
  • I'm not a fan of pets so I don't own any animals.

    Votes: 3 0.9%

  • Total voters
    339
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I have a leopard gecko.

I grew up with 3 iguanas. I've always loved lizards because they're so zen. They just are. They're so cool and relaxed. They don't get bored. Dogs and cats like entertainment. Lizards just want to hang out on a rock or log and bask in the sun.

I just love the way lizards lounge around most of the time. They're always relaxing. My dream is to one day live like a lizard. Just lounge around all day, eat and drink, and lounge around some more. Like me, they prefer warm environments and like to sleep a lot.
 
Hi Batgirl,

I have three kitty's and 14 rabbits. My cat's have been a great comfort to me, I've really bonded to them. I used to suffer with panic attacks quite badly before I got my animals, now this is much rarer.

I feel they definately have improved my general wellbeing. I feel happy I'm surrounded by animals i love and it's a wonderful hobby spending time with my rabbits, seeing them out running in the yard.

I never feel alone ever, and i do get lonely on my own. My animals keep me from feeling that. I always have enough love around me from my pets. I feel they have really helped me with my healing.

xx
 
I have 2 cats, one is my baby one is a barn cat that decided he wanted to be a house cat. Kids and carer adore him but for some reason he's the only cat I've met that I just can't stand.

In the process of moving, get to have a dog again in about a month! I can't wait, I've missed having a canine companion.
 
I used to have a dog…

Used to have a very affectionate, well socialised Pit-bull/Ridgeback crossbreed. The Police took my dog from me for ten months, under the conformation sections of the dangerous dogs act in Britain.
After losing their case (to the cost of one of their careers - good), they returned a dog to me that had a penchant for extreme violence (something I worked very hard in the first place to insure against; he WAS very well socialised). The carnage that ensues from having to break up accidental fights involving Pit-bulls is not nice. I love all dogs, particularly crossbreeds, and Im not too hung-up over breed as long as they are a healthy, intelligent cross. I was not hell-bent on keeping Pit- type dogs as some are. So it broke my heart, anyway. And increased my symptoms no-end. If you are a frightened person thinking about a protection dog, I'd think twice about keeping a pit. If they turn not only is it devastating in terms of how you feel about the dog; (maybe even of dogs in general)
However, they're second to none for affection, and they get you about. Also a tremendous social leveller. I used to have some very in-depth discussions with a fella who used to walk his spaniel round my local park at the time; turned out he was a high-court judge. This really helped my feelings of general incompetence and exclusion…he used to really set a bit of store by my suggestions! I was street-homeless at the time, with an old testament beard!!!
 
I have three cats..one is a maine coon (HUGE black ball of fluff, my sweet Jack). All three are rescues...one, LeStat, has been with me for close to 20 years. When he was a kitten, some horrible soul attempted to 'dispose' of him and his litermates in a lit barbeque. Thankfully, someone witnessed it and saved them (almost all survived). LeStat had no fur on his left side when I took him home, and spent most of his life terrified of anything that moved too quickly. He's been my little fight or flight partner forever...lol He's mellowed a bit in his old age, however...and sleeps in the sun all day long, peaceful as can be.

Molly was a little love who came to me with her host of kittens one day. I kept her, and found nice homes for the little ones. She is my little mother - cares for LeStat all day long. (She's madly in love with him too...xo)

Jack, my heart. My Jack is a wonderful cat. He watches over me when I sleep and is ALWAYS right by my side when I wake from a nightmare. The other night, I was dreaming horrible things, and Jack thumped himself down on my chest (almost smothering me...haha..he's REALLY big). He started his engine and purred in my ear so loud, it made it into my nightmare. I remember hearing something odd in the distance...what the heck is that noise??? Open eyes, there's my boy....and the nightmare was gone.
 
I think I probably originally voted no but I now have a kitten nearly a year old and she is amazing to have around... makes my day just a bit better and also provides me my ears in locating sounds.
 
I've always had a german shepherd or a shepherd mix. My last shepherd had to be put down last year due to health reasons :( I currently have a mix...He looks like a coyote and I'm pretty sure he's part australian shepherd and maybe part kelpie (sp?). He is an awesome guard dog and great with my kids. I guess I like the idea of a dog not only for companionship but also for protection. Dogs are much easier to get along with than people..they don't judge, have unconditional love and seem to sense when you are down. I can't imagine not having a dog!

A funny story....I was renting a house with my sister in a pretty bad part of town and we had a female germ shep named Sheba. She always barked ferociously when someone came to our house or even walked by. We THOUGHT she was a great watch dog. At one point the house was for sale and one time the realtor came by to show the house when we weren't home. I happened to show up as she was leaving and I said "I hope the dog didn't scare you". She said "dog???? what dog???? there's no dog!". I ran inside and found her SHAKING under my bed! My vet later told me that female dogs will protect people where male dogs will protect property. She had no people to protect that day!!!

We also have a kitten, a bearded dragon, a turtle and some fish thanks to my boys! Oh yeah, I forgot..my 4yr old has a new pet lady bug!

Sorry...I know I get long-winded!!!

Jen
I love these polls!!!
 
I have 2 cats that are brothers from a litter of 4. I've had them since they were 4 days old. (momma cat died). I also have a Rottwieller named Riddick who I've had since 6 weeks old. I would not be a part of reality if not for them. They know when I'm upset or stressed and act with love and attention until I am better. They are my little angels. My Rottie of course thinks he's only as large as my cats and will try to climb into my lap! This usually brightens my mood and I love on him and feel very safe.
What a blessing my animals are in my life!!
Thanks for the quetion and the poll...suzie q
 
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