Being A Pet Parent

Homesteading & Country Living Forum

Help Support Homesteading & Country Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

teeceetx

Awesome Friend
HCL Supporter
Neighbor
Joined
Mar 9, 2024
Messages
1,830
Location
Texas
We have 2 dogs and a pet pigeon.

The 2 dogs rule the entire house most of the time. They bark in the morning if they don't get a treat at a specific time! They chase the pigeon and roughly paw her to the point when she sometimes loses feathers. They are master manipulators ... in, out, in, out, etc. And I'm on the dog diet now - they park themselves at my leg - both of them - begging for a taste of my food. When they get really into it, they climb up on my leg and stare directly into my plate until they get something. They whimper and cry when the wife walks one of them, the other waits behind. You'd think they were being tortured or something ... crying, whimpering, and making human-like sounds! They like to lay on blankets and pillows, and even like to be covered with a blanket when it's chilly. The "littermate syndrome" is alive and well with them!

The pigeon is just as bad. She cannot fly very well. I've become her mate I guess. She follows me everywhere I go, including the bathroom. She demands to be petted almost constantly. When I'm watching TV, she'll sit on my lap and demand attention. I have carpal tunnel from all the petting. She's been in the pool 4 times to date. twice, the dogs chased her, forcing her to fly into the pool. Of course she always has to be rescued - not sure if she can get out on her own. The dogs are completely enamored with her, but are too rough. Occasionally, she'll get pissed and wing-slap the dogs when they've gone too far. She does like to go outside, and loves to sit in an open window and snooze. When she wants something, she'll "growl" --- a deep rapid coo'ing.

Oh, and they all DO get jealous when one gets attention, so it's always a battle to divide attention to all.

I'm sure my experiences are much like many of yours. It's just so entertaining and interesting to observe them and their behaviors!
 
We have 2 dogs and a pet pigeon.

I'm sure my experiences are much like many of yours. It's just so entertaining and interesting to observe them and their behaviors!
You left out annoying :p , yet we still listen to them :). My alarm cat goes off at 4, and has no snooze.
 
We have 2 dogs and a pet pigeon.

The 2 dogs rule the entire house most of the time. They bark in the morning if they don't get a treat at a specific time! They chase the pigeon and roughly paw her to the point when she sometimes loses feathers. They are master manipulators ... in, out, in, out, etc. And I'm on the dog diet now - they park themselves at my leg - both of them - begging for a taste of my food. When they get really into it, they climb up on my leg and stare directly into my plate until they get something. They whimper and cry when the wife walks one of them, the other waits behind. You'd think they were being tortured or something ... crying, whimpering, and making human-like sounds! They like to lay on blankets and pillows, and even like to be covered with a blanket when it's chilly. The "littermate syndrome" is alive and well with them!

The pigeon is just as bad. She cannot fly very well. I've become her mate I guess. She follows me everywhere I go, including the bathroom. She demands to be petted almost constantly. When I'm watching TV, she'll sit on my lap and demand attention. I have carpal tunnel from all the petting. She's been in the pool 4 times to date. twice, the dogs chased her, forcing her to fly into the pool. Of course she always has to be rescued - not sure if she can get out on her own. The dogs are completely enamored with her, but are too rough. Occasionally, she'll get pissed and wing-slap the dogs when they've gone too far. She does like to go outside, and loves to sit in an open window and snooze. When she wants something, she'll "growl" --- a deep rapid coo'ing.

Oh, and they all DO get jealous when one gets attention, so it's always a battle to divide attention to all.

I'm sure my experiences are much like many of yours. It's just so entertaining and interesting to observe them and their behaviors!
We had a house pigeon for a number of years, didn't know anyone else did that. Our son was a magician as a teenager, worked birthday parties, events, and a restaurant on the weekends. He wanted a dove for his act, picked one up from a lady, brought it home, and it was not a dove. It was a pigeon. Named it Bird. Bird would follow me all around the house most of the time. But after walking in a room, she'd get confused by the door, walk behind it, her beak against the wall, and would be "stuck" there. If I couldn't find her, we'd have to check behind open doors. She was a crack up.
 
Y'all have heard endless stories about my bunch!! Poor Bear the German Shepherd has to put up with cats, inside and outside! The youngest inside cat lives to snuggle and play with Bear, like he's a dog too! The outside cats go on walks through the woods with us! If Bear is in his front yard, he has his big brother the donkey close by! They like to bark and bray at each other! They all demand a lot of attention from me and Hubby! Endless treats and petting!! They are all truly a blessing!!❤️
 
We have 2 dogs and a pet pigeon.

The 2 dogs rule the entire house most of the time. They bark in the morning if they don't get a treat at a specific time! They chase the pigeon and roughly paw her to the point when she sometimes loses feathers. They are master manipulators ... in, out, in, out, etc. And I'm on the dog diet now - they park themselves at my leg - both of them - begging for a taste of my food. When they get really into it, they climb up on my leg and stare directly into my plate until they get something. They whimper and cry when the wife walks one of them, the other waits behind. You'd think they were being tortured or something ... crying, whimpering, and making human-like sounds! They like to lay on blankets and pillows, and even like to be covered with a blanket when it's chilly. The "littermate syndrome" is alive and well with them!

The pigeon is just as bad. She cannot fly very well. I've become her mate I guess. She follows me everywhere I go, including the bathroom. She demands to be petted almost constantly. When I'm watching TV, she'll sit on my lap and demand attention. I have carpal tunnel from all the petting. She's been in the pool 4 times to date. twice, the dogs chased her, forcing her to fly into the pool. Of course she always has to be rescued - not sure if she can get out on her own. The dogs are completely enamored with her, but are too rough. Occasionally, she'll get pissed and wing-slap the dogs when they've gone too far. She does like to go outside, and loves to sit in an open window and snooze. When she wants something, she'll "growl" --- a deep rapid coo'ing.

Oh, and they all DO get jealous when one gets attention, so it's always a battle to divide attention to all.

I'm sure my experiences are much like many of yours. It's just so entertaining and interesting to observe them and their behaviors!


I had to look twice wondering when I posted this.......cause your situation sounds just like mine, only we have a cat instead of a pigeon.....plus the 2 dogs, also littermates. Yes life can be chaotic to say the least 🤣
 
Our red heeler pup is the only inside animal now. It was very chaotic when we first got him the beginning of the summer. I'm super glad little granddaughter was on summer break, because he was so time consuming....potty training, watching him so the barn cats didn't kill him (they tried!), everything that he chewed on....
Ten months old now, and we still have to keep a watchful eye out, but he's so much better. He's still a pup, but he's learned alot, and very quickly.
 
I didn't mention the incredible love they have for each other. It's really amazing to watch. They are INSEPARABLE in every way. They are also totally in love with my wife ... it's a true spectacle to watch! They watch her every move, they run to her looking for pets and kisses. When she crosses the room, their eyes are locked on her. When she goes outside, they lay down looking at the door, waiting for her return. Yes, I'm second fiddle!!!
 
Our pup prefers me, too. It's kind of funny. He likes little granddaughter to wrestle with, I don't do that. He just was outside waiting for the school bus, then runs and greets her and gets all crazy. But otherwise he follows me everywhere, and he knows the key words I use, and he's a decent chore dog in the mornings. Husband says that's because I'm always cooking good things and he wants treats. I'm sure there's some truth to that.
 
I always tell Hubby that Bear thinks he's another dog!! It is neat to watch how they all have their own special relationships with each other!!

When the cat starts sniffing butts, you might want to get a DNA test that it isn't a dog.....just sayin 🤣


Idk, that's usually the biggest issue around here. Dogs won't leave the cat alone cause she won't hold still long enough for a good & proper sniffing so they get excited and start barking and pawing at her, that sends her into a hissing and growling fit. "Back off or I'll scratch your eyes out'.......she never does though. I think if she did, they'd probably leave her alone.

I will say though that on a rare occasion (VERY rare), she will 'assume the position' for them to get a sniff for all of about 10 seconds before she's had enough of that nonsense.
 
As a caring and loving parent of a couch potato dog.... I had to teach her the meaning of the word "relocate".

I joke about being a couch potato, she loves to play and is active enough. But, the way she likes the couch and chills is a blessing and relief from being the dog that wouldn't give a moments peace when I first adopted her. That's when her snoring became my favorite sound. Now she'll chill on the couch for hours and when all sprawled-out there's barely room for me to sit. If I wanna lay down and nap..... I say "it's time to relocate". She gets some attention then... then lead to the end of couch to curl-up.
 
As a caring and loving parent of a couch potato dog.... I had to teach her the meaning of the word "relocate".

I joke about being a couch potato, she loves to play and is active enough. But, the way she likes the couch and chills is a blessing and relief from being the dog that wouldn't give a moments peace when I first adopted her. That's when her snoring became my favorite sound. Now she'll chill on the couch for hours and when all sprawled-out there's barely room for me to sit. If I wanna lay down and nap..... I say "it's time to relocate". She gets some attention then... then lead to the end of couch to curl-up.


Speaking of snoring......our female is notorious for that. Talk about 'sawing logs'. good grief........oh that and gas, she 'squeaks' alot 🤣


Funny story..........not long after we got the pups I was in the kitchen prepping meal and they were both sitting right there watching every move, waiting for a goodie. When I could hear this weird squeaky noise and I turned and looked around as said 'what's that noise?' (yes I talk to my animals like humans) and they just looked at me and I didn't hear it anymore so I went back to what I was doing and a few minutes later heard it again. I said 'WHAT IS THAT NOISE?" when the male stood up excitedly........and the female leaned over to sniff his butt and I burst out laughing cause that told me everything I needed to know about what that sound was.

At the time I thought it was from the male and it may have been, but anytime I've heard it since, it's usually from the female. That's not to say the male doesn't have gas too........but his are silent but deadly
 
As a caring and loving parent of a couch potato dog.... I had to teach her the meaning of the word "relocate".

I joke about being a couch potato, she loves to play and is active enough. But, the way she likes the couch and chills is a blessing and relief from being the dog that wouldn't give a moments peace when I first adopted her. That's when her snoring became my favorite sound. Now she'll chill on the couch for hours and when all sprawled-out there's barely room for me to sit. If I wanna lay down and nap..... I say "it's time to relocate". She gets some attention then... then lead to the end of couch to curl-up.
I can point and Bear will make room for me on the couch. Then he'll snuggle up and push me off!
 
I bought a sign to put on my door. It says....

Crazy Dogs live here.
Do Not Knock!
They will bark, I will yell.
Chaos Will Ensue!


And trust me it does!


My neighbors girlfriend is visiting. She has 3 dogs. Every now & then there's a bark fest in my back yard (7 dogs barking at once). So I have to go out & yell at them & make them come in.
 
Our German Short Hair is a weird dog. He's always cold and will sleep with his head under the wood stove. Sometimes he likes to be covered with a blanket too.
When he's outside he runs everywhere. As he's running along he'll drop his head and grab a mouth full of snow without even slowing down. He likes to hang out with the horse too, hoping to get one of his carrots and to get a mouthful of grain. He also thinks he's a cow dog, only he almost never moves the cows where I want them.
He's a good dog, but he's so different from our last dog, a chocolate lab named Gus. I find myself missing Gus more all the time.
 
Back
Top