Okay, they're not exactly lions or lambs, but it sounded better than "of dogs and cats". The symbolism remains the same. Once upon a time, we had a male Doberman named Nash (King's Nashman) and a female American Shepherd named Xena. We also had a male cat named Tucker and a female calico cat named Peepers. They were quite the happy little crew...
Our old couch was turned into the animal couch. As you can see, it was well used. That's Nash and Peepers on the left and Xena and Tucker on the right. (Click to enlarge.)
Nash considered himself a regal gentleman and wasn't above letting the cats share his space.
I pretty sure this isn't quite what he had in mind, though. Tucker is sound asleep, but underneath that leg Nash is very much awake, but too embarrassed to let anyone know.
Of the four in this silly little group, only Tucker is still around. Peepers developed complications from old age and was having violent seizures. We had to have her put down. Nash had contracted Blastomycosis (a fungal infection) when he was just a puppy and we battled it on and off his whole life. Later, we had to have one of his back legs amputated because the Blasto was in his bone. A few days after surgery, we learned he had a blood condition that prevented his blood from clotting properly. They couldn't stop the bleeding from his amputation and we had to put him down. Xena also contracted Blasto, later in life, and it took one of her eyes and got into her chest. She eventually passed away from the infection.
After Tucker lost his three running mates, we decided he needed some company. He now spends his days hanging out with his Maine Coon buddy, Gunny.
9 comments:
We once had a "dog chair" in our house...so I understand how pets can take over furniture. Your reference made me laugh.
I'm sorry 3/4 of the original clan have passed, but it seems like you have nothing but good memories.
We have the "cuddle chair," it is the only piece of furnature the dog is allowed to be on, and then only when someone is there with her.
She gets so excited when we sit in the cuddle chair.
I really enjoyed these pictures.
I'm sure you're shocked, but I LOVE this post! Ha ha! Our old couch is the doggie couch too. I love that all 4 of them got along so well! Sorry 3 of them are gone, but glad you added that B-U-T-ful Maine Coone! I love cats, but I couldn't exist without a dog - or 5 in my case...
BTW, you and Blogger must be friends again. This is the most activity I've seen from you in a long time!
haha! Obviously, many pet owners have the designated animal furniture! Anybody who has owned a cat knows they hang out wherever the hell they want, anyway.
texwisgirl, I'm not sure I'd go so far as to call my relationship with Blogger a friendship. It has actually been better for me the past day or so, but I'm not holding my breath. It's so nice to be able to visit blogs and leave comments without having to try 3 or 4 times. We'll see how long it lasts.
We have a dog couch. No matter if we buy new furniture or we put the old stuff in the living room, whatever Dustin and I don't plop our butts on, becomes dog habitat.
Brian, I'm glad to see you have a life outside of hunting and fishing! Haha!
You must have loved these pets very much -- these photos are priceless and I appreciate your sharing them with us.
Maine Coon Cats? Awesome! I would love to have one -- but they are not easy to come by around here. Such a beauty. I'm glad Tucker has a buddy now.
I know what you mean, Stephanie. When we bought new furniture we had to do some "training" so the dogs would stay off the new stuff. Our Doberman, in particular, liked to lay anywhere.
Our Main Coon was actually a rescue, Nancy. We heard from a friend that someone had dropped off 3 MC kittens at a shelter in a nearby county. We were able to get one - aka Gunny.
In the first picture, your Doberman appears to be sleeping with his hind paws all pulled up - almost like fetal position. Did he do this often? I ask because we have a shelter rescue which as far as we can tell is either Doberman Chow or Doberman Shepard, or possibly Doberman Mutt...Anyway, definitely Doberman and she sleeps like this all the time. I'd never seen another dog do it until your pictures! We figured it was just from her traumatic past (she is very neurotic) but now I'm wondering if it might be breed thing.
Yes, Nash would sleep with his legs all curled up similar to the fetal position. Not always, but often. He could fit himself into some pretty small spaces! We got him as a pup from a breeder so I don't think there were any trauma issues.
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