Skip to main content

Friday Discussion: Are You a Pet Lover…or Not?

By December 10, 2010Culture, Innovation

Here’s my dog NaJe…She’s named for our boy’s Nathaniel (Nate) and Jeremy. She’s been a special dog.

In honor of my dog’s 11th birthday…Let’s talk pets today…

Are you a dog lover, a cat lover, or neither?

Do you like an inside dog, an outside dog, or neither?

Tell me about your pet….is he or she like a member of the family or just nice to have around? Is your spouse the bigger animal lover and you simply tolerate his or her wishes?

Let’s talk pets….

What’s the most exotic pet you’ve heard of someone having…or you have had? Anyone have one of THESE AS PETS? (See the 10 weirdest animal discoveries of 2010…did you know they are still discovering them?)

I saw this couple’s yellow snake pet in Chicago recently…would you consider this animal a pet? Be honest, does it bother you when someone calls a snake…or a ferret…or a _________….??? (I think their pet would like to eat my pet…)

Would you give a snake a name? What’s a good snake name?

BONUS QUESTION: What’s the best name for a dog? Are you like traditional names (Spot, Lucky, Max) or a creative name like NaJe?

Let’s talk pets.

Related Posts

Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

More posts by Ron Edmondson

Join the discussion 41 Comments

  • bradshimomura says:

    We have a dog who is a member of our family. We went on vacation, and she ran away from our sitters and we were devastated. She eventually showed up… She has been with us through some very dark times, and brought comfort that no person could have. Alas, she will be downgraded to "just the dog" in a few weeks when our first child is born…

    • ronedmondson says:

      My dog has gotten me through some hard days. Her constant "smile" when I come home is always a pick-me-up! Congrats on your firstborn…

  • I am convinced that many people who love cats do so because—may we be honest here?—if your cat loves you, you've really accomplished something.

  • amy says:

    I have a cat. (Oreo) she is on my profile pic. She was diagnosed with leukemia recently. I feel god brought her into my life at just the right time. She is a part of our family, and very special to me. We are trying her on some medications that we hope will help her. Me and her are very close. I’m her favorite person. And dealing with this sad news breaks my heart. We are praying for her, and doing all we can to help her at this time. Its holiday time which makes things harder for me. Please send up a special prayer to god. I would greatly appreciate it! Sincerely, amy holley

    • ronedmondson says:

      Animals can be such comfort to us. I'm sorry you cat is suffering. Pray the medicine works.

    • I'm so sorry, Amy. Oreo sounds like a very special cat. I know that God cares about your hurt, and he understands. I think he also cares about Oreo. We recently lost Casey–the very first cat who ever loved me (not a great accomplishment–he loved everyone). It was hard letting him go, but God has been so kind and gentle with us and that has helped. God will comfort you too, and Oreo as well. Bless you, Amy, you and your whole family. May you experience more of Christ's love this year than you ever have before!

      • ronedmondson says:

        As many cat jokes as their are, there are just as many, if not more, cat lovers. It's probably not a fair place to joke, but cats do have a unique personality. Those who do love cats appear to be some of the warmest people I know. Cats do give a special kind of love.

        I'm not one of those "warmest peoples", but I happen to like cats!

  • @KevinBJohns says:

    Mostly a very big dog lover – though I can tolerate a cat.. they are very neat to watch for me- always acting stealthy and all… I wouldn't say I really love the inside part with dogs – but we don't have a choice where we live, and we have three so that makes it esp. difficult. But it is neat to see how they all (a 16 year old Dachshund, 4 year old Chihuahua, and a 2 year old Golden Retriever – all female) understand their place and coordinate well for the most part with going in and out, eating, etc. Just a lot to keep up with on the bathing side(: Dollie – the Dachshund is of course queen and has endured several brushes with death but is in fair condition for her age. We do think she may have a serious illness and she is loosing her hearing for sure. They are all so very loyal, and have their favorites from the 4 of us humans that live in the house… but yet I as the father get the most reverence from all three when it comes to obedience.. this doesn't sit well with my family sometimes. I tell them that the dogs are simply that observant – they know who the boss is 🙂 Yep – dogs are a big part of our lives…. very special gifts from God…

  • @Bryankr says:

    What is the "best" name for a pet? Sometimes that's not so easy to find. In my case the dog came with a name; the family that gave Jack, my Boston Terrier, to me had already named him BlackJack, I call him Jack. I am told that you need to find a name that the dog will actually like and respond to. Boston's are really pretty smart, so he caught on quick. It's an easy name to remember, easy to call, easy to spell on a collar. I have a hunch that if you really love the dog any name you call it by, they'll probably come. Love tends to have that effect.

  • Ron, just as I saw your post I had come inside after spending the last four hours digging a hole in my Mom's backyard. Tomorrow morning is the day we've picked to have our fourteen year old Dalmatian, Shelby, put to sleep. As you might imagine, making the decision was hard enough, but having to prepare her final resting place a challenge too. It will be the first pet my children (11 &7) will lose. Yet in the difficulty of the situation, it has allowed me to explain life and death to my kids in a way I believe will allow them to see God's incredible power.

    Shelby has been my favorite pet and I don't see another taking that special place although I look forward to having another in the near future. All I can think about are the good times and how beautiful she looked in her prime. Good girl Shelby.

    • ronedmondson says:

      I'm sorry. That's hard. We know our yorkie won't live too many more years. Grieving for a pet is real too. Praying for your children.

  • rachhillis says:

    We have 2 dogs and 3 cats. I think we have writing on the front of our house that says sucker….in ink only animals on the run can see. We have a Boxer – Pitney, Boston Terrier – Shug, two black cats – Bucky and Smalls and a grey tabby – Oscar.
    I have had pets all of my life and can't imagine not having them around.

  • I never wanted any pets, but the Lord gave us a precious MaltiPoo dog in May. She has become part of the family and is now like my third child. We found out just today that she has cancer, and may only have a few weeks left. We are a mess, and I begged the Lord the whole way home from the vet to please not take my babies' first pet right after we got her. I can't imagine having any other pets. Her name is Lily Kate. We kept her first name when we rescued her, and added the middle name Kate because she's a little Southern Belle like the rest of my girls.

    • ronedmondson says:

      You are the second one today that told me about an animal with cancer. Not sure I even heard of that until recent years. Praying for your family. If you love your pet this is real stuff.

  • ronedmondson says:

    Thanks for loving God's creation!

  • Definitely a lover here! I have four rescued doggies: a Golden that is 8 years old (rescued from tethering), a Pekingese that is 10 (rescued from a puppy mill in Gallatin), and two loving super-extra-combo-mixed that are 11 and 10 (rescued from the streets). So, yep, I have my share every day of wagg'n tails! Oh, and I do kind of have a kitty. She is our office pal but spends most of her day with me by my desk. (Love you Emma!)

    Best thing of all is that I get to meet so many new ones at the place where I currently work at and find out every day that I'm not the only one that goes to the pet store to find birthday gifts for them… I do love all kind, but we probably would need to talk about that snake on the pic. Hmm. That may need some convincing.

    Now in names, I don't stick with traditional. For example, my Peke is named "G" (yep, just the letter) because he has it tattooed on his ear. That was his kennel classification at the puppy mill from where I rescued him. 🙁

    See you soon! ~Kathie

  • Cindy White says:

    We have one dog named Sasha. She came to our house, jumped into the back yard and refused to leave. We tried to find where she lived but finally decided that she didn't belong to anyone. She was really skinny and seemed to be abused. She has lived with us for 4 years now and was just a puppy then. We have at this time 2 cats. We lost our 3rd on this past Thanksgiving. The cats that we have now, 1 was found and taken to the vet by someone else. Their mother had been run over and the vet nursed them to until time to be adopted. The other one we got when my daughters teacher found him at school. He was as well hungry and it has taken us about a year to get him to warm up to us. He was just looking for food wherever he could. We also have 1 rabbit left that my oldest daughter got for school and two ferrets. They are young and are my youngest daughters that she got about 6 months ago. We have as well had hedgehogs in the past. I would adopt every animal around it I had a place for them and had the money. I am truly a animal lover.

  • Tricia Tice says:

    We have two cocker spaniels–Cindy and Sally. Sally is still pretty young and provides unconditional affection even when it's not wanted (only needed). Cindy is getting older and her hips aren't as happy with her getting up anymore, but she will work her hardest to get off the floor if there's the least bit of hope about getting attention.

    One thing a friend recognized last year–they are great ice-breakers. She does not have animals of her own and she was at a farmer's market with a friend and his dog. He had to run off for a second and left the dog with her and she found that people who would not even look her in the eye moments before would come right up to her and strike up a conversation. Dogs in evangelism–who knew?

  • ronedmondson says:

    Ha! I've seen that many times. Glad your wife tolerates your dog loving…

  • Laurinda says:

    I love BIG dogs – German Shepherds are my favorite breed. But Labs, Golden Retrievers or Huskies are cool. Not a cat fan at all. Twice I had a parakeet – they died quickly. I love aquariums.

    • ronedmondson says:

      I wonder if leaders like cats… They are an animal hard to discern…dogs make sense… Ha! Just wondering.

  • Bryan
    Twitter:
    says:

    I am a dog lover! I have nothing against cats, just have more of an liking for dogs. My dog’s name is BlackJack or Jack for short. He is definetly part of tje family! I make sure to take take him for a walk every night, bath him and take him to the Vet when he needs it; I even talk to him as though he were a person! I don’t wait for responses, but I do talk to him. He is a Boston Terrier and a wonderful companion as well as a great pet! He has been a good therapist on occaision! Always there and listening, always excited when I get home. I love my dog.

    • ronedmondson says:

      Great dog name! My dog has "counseled" me many times also. Some days…especially hard days…a man just needs his dog who understands…

  • @jefejeffs says:

    Definitely a pet (DOG!) lover…although my wife is not. Makes life interesting. We have a rather large Border Collie with long hair. He brings all the leaves & dirt in with him…thus the disdain my wife has for him. His name is Bearach (say Bear- uck) which is an old Scottish name that my daughter & I found on the internet. He thinks he's a member of the family. Very sweet dog! We let him inside for the night & he's in and out when he wants. He really loves sleeping in the sun on the living room floor!

  • jack42 says:

    I love both dogs and cats. I had a cat for 16 years that I had to put down last year. I cried more for him than when my dad died the year before (but I think the dream I had where cat was killed in an explosion right after my dad died and the realization the dream wasn't about my cat might be the reason why that is true; I loved my dad very much).

    His name was Clark Kent. The cat, not my dad. I like non-traditional names for pets, but whatever works for you is good, but I don't think "whatever" would be a good name for a pet.

    Cats fit into my schedule better than a dog would. Inside only, please, and same for any dog I would have (within reason, of course). Can't imagine having a snake; a rabbit or ferret might be okay, but not likely.

    • ronedmondson says:

      There aren't a ton of dog and cat lovers who aren't "animal lovers" and would take anything for a pet. I could be wrong, but people either tend to be cat or dog lovers. I happen to be one though…but my wife can't stand cats.

    • ronedmondson says:

      I don't want a cat though…for the reason I said to Laurinda. Can't figure them out.

      BTW, mourning for our animals is a real deal and something seldom talked about….

  • Amy says:

    Well, I like my cat. I don't necessarily like your cat though. So am I a pet-lover? Sort of. (Really not a fan of dogs, by the way – way too much trouble. Sorry, dog lovers ; ) )

    As for good snake names, my friend had a snake named Mittens. That works for me! : )

  • Tom Jamieson says:

    Hey Ron! We are definitely pet lovers. We have 5 dogs of varying sizes, ages, and breeds. They are all rescues and are definitely part of the family. Angel, a border collie/shepherd mix, is the oldest and we have had her the longest — almost 12 years! Sheba is close in age to Angel, and she is a shepherd mix as well. We have a large-breed beagle named Joe (after Snoopy's alter-ego, Joe Cool) — he's the only male in the pack. The other two are hound/ridgeback mixes from the same litter — two females named Rascal (and she is one) and Dolce (pronounced DOLE-chay and is loosely translated "sweet" from Latin). They are mostly inside dogs and we couldn't imagine life without them.

  • We have two dogs. The only other type of pet I would consider is a Parrot. Our dogs are named Kudlow 9 years old ( beagle dachshund mix). Rescued him from the shelter. The most awesome docile dog ever. Boomer Sooner, 4 years old. And yes, he is named after the Oklahoma Sooners. He is a full bred, mini-dachshund. We bought him from a breeder online. He is a complete opposite of Kud, but has his equal place in our hearts