Your First Pet Responses

We received hundreds of responses from people who took a trip down Memory Lane and shared memories of their first pets. Thank you to everyone who shared. Here are the questions people responded to with their answers. Our personal answers are listed in italics:

What kind of pet was your first pet?
74% said a dog
19% said a cat
3% said a lizard
1% said a gerbil
1% said a rabbit
1% said a frog
.5% said a pony
.5% said goldfish

Our first pet was a male puppy named Laddie my parents adopted from the dog pound when I was a 7 years old. Laddie was a black lab mix with floppy ears, long gangly legs and never ending energy. He was famous for licking anyone he could get close to.

The next question was: Do you still have your first pet?

96% said no
4% said yes

We do not still have our first pet.

If not, what happened to it?

23% said their pet got out and was lost
15% said their pets were given way to others
49% said their pet died of old age
13% said their pet got sick and had to be put down

Our first pet was given away to others as one of my siblings had an allergy to it. The family he went to seemed nice and my parents thought they would give the puppy a good home.

Pets leave a lasting impression in our memories and on our lives. A positive relationship with a pet is one of the most rewarding things one can have.

Holiday Shopping

This is the time of year when many people are out doing Holiday shopping. When we are busier, we often (unintentionally) spend less time with our pets. You can make it up to them. If you do not already do this, take your pet shopping with you.

Many of the pet stores will allow you to bring your leashed pet with you. Why not take them? You have to go there anyway. Most pets will be a bit nervous the first few of times they go. However, most dogs and cats will be glad to learn there are other places besides the veterinarian where they can go.

This also helps their social skills. When you take your pets to the pet store, they get lots of attention from both the other customers and the store staff. Shoppers and store staff will often come talk with you about your pet so you get to brag on them. They will want to talk to your pet and, if you pet is up to it and you allow it, will want to rub them. Most pets will love this. However, you know your pet better than anyone. If you know your pet may be uncomfortable with others petting them or if you don't want them to, politely let the person know this and they will understand. The more your pet is exposed to new surroundings and people the more comfortable they should become. Before long your pets may have friends who look forward to seeing them come to the store with you on a regular basis. Having people say hello and call them by name can soon generate a positive response from your pet. Try it and let us know how it goes. Happy Shopping.

Costumes for Pets

I was in the pet store yesterday and noticed a small crowd gathered around one display. I went to see what they found so interesting. They were looking at the new Halloween pet costumes that had just arrived.

The variety of costume themes, colors, fabrics and sizes was amazing. I heard one lady say she wanted a costume for her dog similar to the one her little boy was going to wear. Another person who was looking at a costume that had a tu-tu around the bottom wondered if there was a headpiece available to go with it. Another lady said she wanted to buy a costume but did not know if her cat would wear it and someone else chimed in with how she gets hers to keep it on for a while. A teenager who was with an adult picked up a costume with a hooded cape and the adult with her said "Don't even think about it!" Make no mistake - pet costumes generate big money for those who make them.

Most pet lovers have an opinion either for or against dressing their pets. If you are against it, the new line of costumes won't affect you. If you are for it, now is the time to shop.