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PackTbone
From the minute I was born, I've been surrounded by and in love with animals, particularly dogs, but including other beautiful creatures of fur, fin and feather. My current fur-companions are a brilliant wee shepherd mix girl, an unusually HUGE golden/lab boy and a silly foster pitbull boy.
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![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_104981081BirdSpc_greycheekedp.jpg&media=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_104981081BirdSpc_greycheekedp.jpg&description=My beloved great-aunt Ann bought me a sweet little bird as a gift when she was making a rare family visit all those years ago. I named the bird after her -- Annie.<br>Day after day for close to 13 years, I started my day being greeted by song from this tiny bright feathered friend as I uncovered her cage for the day. In no way was she ever a bother, in no way ever a single thing but precious. She had a mate for most of those years, Budgie, but when he died I didn't replace him, so she was alone with me and my dog for the last couple of her years, and she was ever playful and vocal. She managed to mimic my calling my dog's name and eventually on her own call out for my dog "Hey, Sweetie! Hey, Sweetie!" and, amazingly, also mimicked the sound of a car coming down my gravel driveway! So funny! Overall, parakeets are great fun, minimal trouble, and very cheerful. <br>They tend to throw seed/food outside the cage, but that's about the worst they can do. Terrible, right?! Ha! It's super important to keep them from drafts and not in an environment of temperature fluctuations. They are social creatures and can truly suffer as an only-bird if you're unable to give them much attention. They do well in groups. I've had parakeets for dozens of years, much of my life, and usually as pairs. They're great low-maintenance companions and have been known to mimic a large range of words. They are tiny and have good flight, so please be careful if letting them fly around your home -- many hazards may not be apparent and if they escape to the outdoors they are unlikely to survive long due to temperature changes and lack of food.){kind=link}
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_101414041MammalBreed_rabbitfrench.jpg&media=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_101414041MammalBreed_rabbitfrench.jpg&description=Aesop was a real funny bunny. Adorably soft, super active and friendly. He got along very well with my Norwegian Elkhound and would hop around him in circles. He enjoyed running around and jumping through the air far more than being held. I could pick him up but after a short while, he'd want down. Cage potty-training him was easy and he'd simply hop back into his cage when he had to go. For his safety I, of course, let him loose in the house only when I could supervise. He lived a long life, having grown "long in the tooth" at some point... I had to take him to the vet a number of times in his older years to have his teeth (ouch!) clipped as well as his nails. It broke my heart the morning I found him still in his cage, he had passed away in the night peacefully. The darling bunnyhearted gentle soul... what a cutiepie.<br>A rabbit does make a wonderful pet if you recognize their limitations and their simple but vital needs. Cleaning their cage frequently prevents a terrible ammonia pee smell for you, but also is incredibly important for their general health. While a rabbit looks sturdy, they are quite small-boned and fragile, so they may not be great for young children who tend to handle animals roughly. This dear little lop is not an outside pet. The right indoor environment and taking care of their fairly simple needs will bring them a long life and provide you with years of adorable companionship.){kind=link}
 or chew on your furniture... mine did a handy carpentry job on my wooden window frames.<br>And, yes... they poop a lot.<br>A large cage for their safety is best, but you'll want to have a play area atop it or near it for them to get more exercise. Sun conures are gorgeous -- brilliantly colorful -- and quite friendly! Mickey enjoyed riding around on my shoulder at home, and sitting on the shower rod in the bath room when I showered. A real cutie. <br>When considering conures of all types, it's important to know that they can be quite loud. For this reason, I believe they're not perfect apartment pets. Sadly, when I had my three, I divorced and moved from a large home to a small apartment and their occasional but quite loud voices caused me to cover them up too often to quiet them. Eventually I realized this was not the best life for them. I've never given up an animal in my life -- I consider them a permanent commitment like a child -- but in this case my avian veterinarian offered to adopt them. They went on to a spectacular life in a large aviary and that was incredibly hard for me but so much better for their happiness and well-being. Unless you can devote time and attention and have the space, a pair of smaller birds might be best for you, such as parakeets or finches.){kind=link}
![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_920322118071DogBreed_151121610152.jpg&media=https://cdn.rightpet.com/Thumbnail/BreedReviewsPhotos/2082014_920322118071DogBreed_151121610152.jpg&description=As I write this, beautiful little Sophie is on a hike with her wonderful adoptive dad. She has been in her forever home for over two years now and I have to say, that makes me feel like a million bucks. Instead of being one more casualty of overbreeding and shelter overcrowding, she's having the life any dog would be fortunate to experience. <br>I fostered her from the "kill list" out of the Manhattan "shelter" on her last day. Slated to be killed the next morning, as so many pitbulls are due to shelter overcrowding, her photo was online in a list. I saw her irresistible face and had her pulled. In the couple of months she was mine, I saw her transform from fearful and snapping to relaxed and joyful. In the affectionate but firm hands of her new papa, she steadily and quickly became socialized and now has frequent playtimes with dog buddies. <br>From the start, she was completely people friendly, always affectionate. I was at first worried that she may not be able to make friends with other dogs, but that has proven not to be the case. Being fresh from a shelter, she was naturally terrified and tense. What else should we expect? Any dog taken from such an environment will have an adjustment period of several days to even several weeks. <br>Again, consistent training combined with attention and regular exercise proved to be transformational in a dog. If you're considering a pitbull for adoption, please bear in mind that they are strong, muscular and very intense -- in all ways. They will love you and adore you and become your best buddy for certain -- I think it's impossible for this breed to be aloof. As with any breed, please consider your own abilities and availability. The pitbull will protect you, learn what you teach her, and make you absolutely proud. <br>Certainly one main reason this breed is misunderstood is their appearance and strength. I can attest from fostering three of them, having them in my life for most of the past 5 years, they are no more inherently aggressive than a poodle. Find the right fit by taking a good look at your own lifestyle. If you're youthful and active, a young pitbull is a dream companion. If you're older and have a hard time getting around, a senior pitbull could be a great buddy -- take my word here -- nobody likes to couch cuddle and curl up for a movie with you like an older "pibble". <br>As for Sophie, I am honored to have been part of her life and the idea that I stood between life and death for her makes me feel like a million bucks. If you've never considered fostering, give it some thought.){kind=link}