Other Rescued Pets in the Family

Where are those darn birds anyway?

All of the cats and dogs in our home are rescued from someplace. I came from the animal shelter. Leo came from a litter of pups being given away. Fat Max was thrown from a car into a ditch and still has a broken tail after that traumatic experience. Tatem the cat was in a box at the supermarket and Lucy was abandoned in icy January weather as a kitten.

These are just the group that make up our family at present. In the past there were other various cats and dogs, given a good home after being tossed away by someone else. One cat, Tommy, was rescued from a median on a super busy highway . He wouldn't have lasted long out there, I can tell you. Charlie was left in a house near us in Oregon when his owners moved away and on and on.

Tater - Waiting to Pounce on the Unsuspecting

We might not have started out int he best of circumstances but we're a happy group now - well all except Tatem, AKA Tater, who has been in perpetually bad humor for the past 14 years!

Lazy Cats

Fat Max - Need I say more?

Leo and I, being the dogs in the family, naturally rule the roost, no matter what the cats think about it. Lucy, the newest member of our little tribe, sleeps in  he window most days, helping me guard the house. She also loves to play hide and seek on the stairs for some reason.

Lucy playing and seek

Lucy was originally rescued by Joan and Ted's daughter but her husband is allergic to cats and Lucy was pretty much forced to spend the winter outside. So, of course, Joan brought Lucy over here to live, on a "trial basis" which turned out to be permanent. Lucy didn't care for the other cats at first and they really didn't like her but now we only have the occasional cat skirmish- Leo and I stir clear of that!

Overall, life is pretty exciting at Joan and Ted's house - at least we try to keep it hopping!

Molly's Dog Blog - A Full Day in My Life

This is me - keeping watch and protecting the family.

Since I'm part Australian Shepard, I need a job to do and living with Joan and Ted, I have quite a few important jobs to take care of during the day. They're lucky to have me around, I can tell you that.

One of my main jobs is protecting Joan from various delivery men who come to the door during the day and all the people and dogs who walk by our house. I sit in the window quite a bit of the day and keep watch. If someone goes by, or a delivery truck stops, I set off the alarm, which is greatly appreciated, I know.

I'm a terrific guard dog - unless the vacuum cleaner comes out. If I see that noisy monster, all bets are off - I have to abandon my post. Or if it looks like bath time - I hate that! When I see the dog towels, I know immediately what's up and I try to hide out under the bed. This never did much good, but I keep trying.

Another job I have is keeping Joan company and keeping watch while she works at the computer all day. I might take a little snooze now and then but if she gets up to go downstairs, I'm right behind her in a flash. She might be going to the kitchen to get me a treat!

I have to be in the lead when we walk.

We have some other important events on our daily calendar too. Eating breakfast and going for our morning walk - which is at the park if we're lucky! When it's cooler, we go for a walk in the evening too and Ted comes. In this 105 degree heat, though, we've been skipping the evening walk. I wouldn't mind going in the heat but Leo can't make it very far.

Somewhere during the day, Leo and I have to fit in our regular 5 or 6 naps too.

Leo and I love evenings when Ted and Joan sit down to watch TV. Ted always gives us belly rubs and Leo and I take turns sitting by his chair. That Leo! When she thinks it's her turn, she just barges in and pushes me out of arms reach.

Here's me enjoying my nightly belly rub!

Every evening too, we have to let Joan know when 8 o'clock comes - we always know exactly what time it is, I can tell you. At 8 o'clock, Joan takes us outside to go potty for the last time at night and we get a treat that's good for our teeth when we come in. We could go out alone anytime - we do have a pet door - but hey, we have our routines and we need Joan to go so she can give us the treat afterward!

Leo's undignified when she gets her belly rub

Pretty soon it's bedtime. I'm the first dog Ted has ever let sleep in the bed but I hate sleeping with people. Due to my animal shelter "issues" I like my own space. I lay on the bed until Ted gets in, then I retire to my own. That is, if Leo hasn't messed it up. She loves to push her nose into my dog blankets and mess up my bed. She doesn't do it to her own bed, mind you, just mine. Probably due to some "issues" of her own.

All ready for a much needed night's sleep.

We all need a good nights sleep as morning comes very early and we get up and do it all again.

It's sure a dog's life!