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inkstainedhands
I've owned so many pets! We are rescue people, and frequently take in the animals that are left behind.
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![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/images/default/dog.png&media=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/images/default/dog.png&description=Rikku came to us as a "secondhand dog". Her previous owners said she "couldn't be trained", which is usually shorthand for one of two things: owners who aren't sure of what they're doing (or don't have the time), a dog with a strong personality, or BOTH. <br><br>Rikku was a handful, no doubt, and I'm glad I had more experience in dog training by the time she came to us. She was intelligent, had a lot of energy and was the sort of dog who needed a "job" to keep herself from getting into trouble. There wasn't a mean or nasty bone in her body, but she had so much going on- she was just so clever, and was just so energetic- you really needed to stay on top of her and her activities for the first year. Really, though, it isn't hard, once you know how. Consistency, activities, and training. <br><br>She wasn't great with the cats, though- they hated her. Rikku never did seem to understand that while she loved the cats and wanted to play with them the same way she'd play with the dogs--- rough and tumble puppy- play--- that would always result in their running away, or swatting her on the nose. Poor baby. Again, best of intentions, poor results. <br><br>Rikku did tend to bark a bit in the beginning, but she trained out of that quickly. She learned just about anything quickly, although we were VERY slow to let her play in parks off lead, as her natural curiosity made her a little slow in returning. She was highly obedient, though- these little dogs are very smart, and exceptionally eager to please their people, as long as they are well treated. They love to be a part of the family, and Rikku slept by the foot of our bed, in her own little bed, for most of her life. <br><br>Grooming is relatively simple, but you do need to keep up on it, as they have a double coat and there is a LOT of fluff to be managed. I brushed Rikku every day and still had a lot of fur to deal with, but that's the price you pay. <br><br>Rikku was a charming, darling little dog, and we really enjoyed having her as a part of our family. <br><br>While I'm a bit nervous about the newfound popularity of the breed due to the Doge meme, I think they're absolutely wonderful, as long as you have the patience to learn to train a dog that has a lot of intelligence. I don't even think all dogs in this breed are willful (although Rikku definitely was!), after talking to other owners- but they are very, very smart, and that means training takes diligence, effort and time. It also means that owning this dog will always be an interesting and entertaining experience, if you're willing to put in the work!){kind=link}
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_1346661615059DogBreed_americanakit.jpg&media=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_1346661615059DogBreed_americanakit.jpg&description=Tinook was my first experience with a so- called "vicious breed" dog; although I'd grown up with a German Shepherd, I had never been the primary owner of one of the breeds that had been given a label as being dangerous. My husband brought her home--- she was a surprise, a gift from a friend after he had helped an injured friend who bred Akitas fix her roof. <br><br>I spoke to friends who worked as professional trainers, as I had concerns--- Akitas had something of a reputation, so I wanted a lot more information, right away. I'm glad I did, too--- I loved, loved, LOVED working with Tinook, but she definitely required a firm hand, and lots of guidance! <br><br>Akitas are amazing dogs, without a question, but without the proper guidance they seem to turn into one- owner dogs- fiercely loyal to "their person", which can be a little problematic. I did a lot of work making sure she was properly socialized-- meeting other dogs, spending time with people. In the beginning she would get a little protective of me around other people, especially if they touched me--- she would try to stand between me and other people, particularly during greetings. We strongly discouraged this behavior by teaching her how she should greet guests, and rewarding better alternatives. It's really, really important not to allow your dog to become a "one- person Akita", but other than that, no issues. <br><br>Grooming is a bit intense- it's a fluffy coat, so be prepared, but Tinook loved being brushed, so we just worked it into what I did in the evenings. I'd watch the news after dinner and brush her over a sheet, and she'd be happy as a clam. <br><br>Tinook adored my daughter, and was intruiged by our cats, who didn't mind her at all. She never really bonded with them, but there wasn't any issues, either. This might have been helped along by our adopting her as a puppy. <br><br>One of my favorite things about training with Tinook: she learned "speak" and "quiet" in what seemed like record time. I know that a dog- lover shouldn't be averse to barking, but I really, really don't like excess vocalization, and that was never a problem with Tinook. Even before she learned to quiet, she was a relatively silent dog, and I really appreciated that. <br><br>We never had any health issues with Tinook, but unfortunately, we also didn't have much time with her, either. Tinook was struck by a speeding car at the age of two and died almost instantly. She was a sweet, affectionate dog who would have made a lovely life partner, and we missed out on many fantastic years with her, but we're grateful for the time we had together.){kind=link}
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_13944331CatBreed_tasha.jpg&media=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_13944331CatBreed_tasha.jpg&description=We brought Natasha into our family while living in the UK. She is the most petite cat I have ever owned, weighing in at barely 5 pounds- and I promise, she's completely healthy! She's just the most dainty, tiny thing. Part of this is due to her having been the runt of her litter, though, so don't think that this is breed- specific; she's just a little on the light side for her breed. <br><br>Natasha is very aloof and likes to have her own space; she is without question the queen of the house and maintains order over all of the animals, canine and feline. She has the quiet dignity that older cats seem to develop, but will still play with us on occasion; she likes to lay on her back and let us rub her belly, and will occasionally still wrestle a little, although I think she's getting a wee bit old for that lately. Still, she does have a playful side; it just isn't as pronounced as I've seen in some other cats. She's a more "cat- like" cat, which is nice. <br><br>Natasha rarely speaks, but does like to sleep in our laps or near us when the house is quiet. She doesn't care for our dogs, but never fights with them--- she just tends to keep out of rooms while the dogs are there. She's still active, and will climb her cat tree, and loves to play with the laser toy, even at thirteen!<br><br>We would definitely, absolutely get another British Shorthair. I love having Natasha in our life!){kind=link}
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_1244373741CatBreed_canicallinca.jpg&media=https://rpcdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/722014_1244373741CatBreed_canicallinca.jpg&description=Inertia was the perfect cat, without question. We brought him into our family as a kitten. He belonged to neighbors, in a way; they'd been watching a cat for a deployed soldier but had let the cat become pregnant, and he was part of the litter, which they were trying to re- home before their soldier friend returned. I'm almost certain he was too young to be separated from him mother when he was given to us, but they were going to put him in a kill- shelter or give him to us, so he came with us, obviously. <br><br>Inertia bonded deeply with our daughter, who was only three when we adopted him. She put dresses and socks on him, which he tolerated very well. He liked to steal her worn clothes and take them to the basement where he'd make a nest out of them to sleep on- less than desirable, obviously, but also a testament as to how much he liked her. He also got along well with our other cat, and our dogs-- which was surprising, as they came into our home after he did. He was always everyone's favorite; even people who had always disliked cats said that if all cats were like Inertia, they would love cats. <br><br>Inertia weighed in at approximately 16 pounds, was an excellent mouser, was vocal without being annoying, and liked to play for brief periods- he'd chase a laser or wrestle for about 10 minutes or so, then go back to resting. He preferred to cuddle, or drape himself over the back of a chair as a family member was reading. <br><br>At age two, Inertia was diagnosed with a "benign heart murmur". We were told that surgery was too risky and wouldn't have any real benefit, as the heart defect shouldn't markedly shorten his life. He died peacefully, without warning, in our home at the age of eight. We had hoped that he might live much longer, but we are happy to know that he was surrounded by so many people who loved him so well.){kind=link}