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January 01, 2006

creatures great and small

charlytree.jpg

Charlie Brown was sleeping so peacefully under the tree we hated to wake him. But it was New Year's Day and time to pack away the ornaments, lights and tinsels for another year. Don't worry, he will move upstairs to our bedroom to finish his nap in his usual slumbering spot under our bed. Charlie Brown, or Chuck for short, is a Bichon Frise with a wonderful temperament. They make wonderful pets for families. Chuck meets each family member at the door with such warmth, affection, jumping, and friendly growling that you'd swear he/she had been gone for years. We have a "Beware of Mean Dog" sign on the front door but it is mainly to scare away the burglars. If some one were to break in, I am certain Chuck would give him the same friendly treatment he gives Grandma. Heck, Chuck might even help carry out the loot.

Charlie is the best and most wonderful pet we have ever had and we have tried them all, just about. Lizards, gold fishes, turtles, hamsters, white rats, rabbits, and one pet rock have entertained our children through the years. Except for the rock, they have all been a pain in the pitute for the care givers, mom and dad. Turtles don't show or give a lot of affection in return for their bed and breakfast. I mean no offense to you turtle lovers out there.

We had a tom cat once. His name was Binks. By the time he was 6 years old, he was so mean that he made a better watch cat than our watch dog. He had a regular habit of biting every one in the family on a regular basis. When my youngest daughter, Erin, was only 7 or 8 she was petrified of him. Before entering every room, she would peek around the corner to make sure the cat was not there. He went to his eternal reward in cat heaven or the other place more likely.

There is one caveat. Bichons do not shed any hair; they must be brushed every single day without fail. If you don't, their coats will mat in very short order.

Posted by roadapples at January 1, 2006 09:28 AM

Love the site. Happy New Year.

Posted by: Strode at January 1, 2006 12:15 PM

chuck sounds like a winner. i like dogs, and cats, and goats. had all of those. and birds. too much active responsibility.

spiders. not tarantulas, haven't tried them, might be ok though. but wolf spiders and daring jumping spiders. jumping ant mimics might work too. takes their tiny brains a bit of time to recognize your interest in dialogue, and to understand that they are safe in your care. once that's established though, you have a trusting friend. pretty much.
grasshoppers too.

Posted by: kim [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 1, 2006 03:34 PM

I have 2 dogs and 3 cats living here and the dogs are my best friends. The cats? Not so much ;) But they kill the mice so I let 'em stay.

Posted by: poopie at January 1, 2006 03:45 PM

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Mr. Apple

Thanks for dropping by my place and leaving a comment.

By the way...I was saying "Good Night" to Mrs. Calabash's daughter and not the older dame.
You believe that...don't you?

Love Chuck. Hate all the brushing.

Posted by: Clarence at January 2, 2006 01:25 AM

Dude. I got home from vacation and went to my blog and yelled "What in the happy hell is all THIS crap?" *roflmao*

Thanks for the entertainment! And Chuck looks like a peach. :)

Posted by: Iki at January 2, 2006 08:35 AM

We have a Chow. It was given to my son as a puppy by a girlfriend and he brought it home without asking...and later moved out. I wouldn't have chose a Chow, but she has worked out to be a great dog.

PS I do lean towards the Flower Child persuation but the Peace March against the Iraq war was my first.

Posted by: colleen at January 2, 2006 09:52 AM