Pets are a part of our family. They are just as quirky as humans. Sometimes, even quirkier.
We know our pets like we know our brothers and sisters. They are pieces of us. And we adore each and every bit of that.
And though they may have no idea of whether or not we notice their little quirks, we love pointing them out.
u/fluxifye asked:
What is a little fact about your pet?
Here are some of those answers.
Meowt Of Line
My cat is angry today because we got a new oven. She hates when we get new furniture or move things around and will loudly meow at the offending item.
I moved some stuff around on my porch, and my cat refused to go on it after that. The changes were not to her liking apparently
And He Was Mine Forever
He just showed up one day meowing at the door.
He wouldn't go away. Just meowing over and over like Meatloaf in Fight Club.
After a week or so I put a collar on him, assuming if he had a home to go to the owner would remove it.
Knocked on doors up and down the street to see if anyone had lost him.
Nobody had lost him so I gave up, opened the door and let him in.
Only For The Kids
Dyna (St. Bernard) will let my kids use her as (a pillow, a fort, a tractor, a sled pull, garbage disposal) if my 4 yr old calls the dog is up for whatever. If i try to get her to do anything it is too much effort and she just can't be bothered. "
Dyna please move, i cannot open this door" dog sigh, stretch in front of the door "Giant horse monster dog please move" sad dog eyes no movement on and on it goes she is 180lbs i cannot make her do anything she is not willing to do. But she adores my kids and i think thats all we really need in a family dog.
Love To Stand
We gave the gerbils a plate of sand to have a sand bath in, and instead all they do with it is stand in it. Not that they don't appreciate it - they often come to the top level of their cage to just go and stand in the sand, and then they go back down again. We don't really understand what the appeal is, but it's very sweet nonetheless.
Wrapped Around Your Finger
My Maine Coon can do various actions on command (if suitably rewarded - no treats = no tricks) including sit, lie down, high five, kisses. He knows the command "show me", and will walk you to the thing that he's upset about (empty food bowl, light on when it shouldn't be). He knows about 50 phrases and will react to them in a manner that lets me know he understands.
Nevertheless he has me far more well-trained than I have him, and he knows it.
We Love Affectionate Noodles
Our cat was "feral." He was rescued from an apartment complex with the intent to just neuter, so he has the tip of his ear cut, but someone decided to foster him and put him up for adoption. He's now a one year old fluffy black cat that has never hissed or tried to claw at us (even when we had to give him a bath) and falls over/goes limp noodle when you try to pick him up.
I Skype Too
I've read that cats like to "mirror" what we're doing, if they're really attached to us. Like it makes them feel included or something. My girl, Cleo, likes to try to climb all over and rub her face on mine and my friend's laptops. And stick her face in the camera when he's doing Skype meetings for work or interviews. It can be mildly annoying, but at the same time, it's so damn charming because she just wants to be involved, too.
I Am Friend To The Meeses
My doggo likes rodents cause I used to have pet mice and guinea pigs so when field mice infested my house she wasn't any help cause all she would do is try to be their friend.
She also rests her head on pillows like a human.
She's a very good girl.
Team Fly-Swatting
Cat 1: he hates being home alone and cries when he thinks I'm gone, yet won't come in the room and snuggle when I say it's ok I'm over here. Just looks at me like "oh ok" and walks away.
Cat 2: he's a little hunter boi and loves flies, ants, lizards, you name it. He's got this little chatter "battle cry" that signals he spotted something. He also like me to pick him up and hold him in the air to swat at the flies since he can't reach.
Dog 1: he's the fastest dog at the dog park
Dog 2: she poops on my porch because she thinks it's "outside"
Raised In Captivity
He's a a 6-month-old puppy named Murray. Here's some little facts:
His favourite food is toast but he doesn't get it often.
His current favourite activity is stealing plastic bottles from the recycling.
He also enjoys stealing socks, pens, bobbles and the hair brush.
He absolutely loves attention and shows off his toys to anyone who passes the garden.
He also loves the wind and likes chasing leaves when out for a walk.
He hates water. He won't go out in the rain and is not a fan of baths.
He's been growing up during lockdown, so the first time we had a visitor round he peed himself in excitement.
Speaking off lockdown, he also enjoys stealing face masks. If he sees you wearing one he will be determined to get it off you.
Ever see those viral videos of when a newborn meets their parent's identical twin?
Those videos of bewildered babies are adorable! But what can be cuter than a baby? How about... a pet? You would assume most animals could distinguish between people by smell, but sometimes it may take a pet a minute to understand that they are looking at two identical people.
Redditor u/avianthon asked people to share their pet's reaction to their identical twin, and it proved that animals aren't always as sharp as we may think.
20. They become a lap dog
"My sister lives an hour or so away and doesn't see my dog that much but she gets far more excited to see her than anyone else. She's a 70 pound pit and we are 5'1' and gets right in the center of her lap. It's very cute and funny."
19. Cat and dog people
"I have a dog, my twin has a cat. They both treat us like a different human. My dog adores my twin sister and her cat adores me."
18. They listen very well
"Not a twin, but my sis and I sound and look alike. My lab/blue heeler mix will greet her like she's me. Madi (the dog) loves my sister (who tolerates dogs) almost on par with me. My sis lives 3 hours away, so we only see her a few times a year, but man, Madi listens to her like a champ. Madi knows its not me, but she still respects her as a leader of the pack."
18. She never forgot that vet visit
Giphy"My cat (died in December) hated my sister. She first met her when she was a kitten and was actually the person who took her to get spayed because I had to work. Up until that point she seemed to tolerate my sister so she blames that on the personality turn. Either way even when my sister lived with me for a few months when she moved back to this state my cat never warmed to her."
17. This lizard was afraid
"My red eyed crocodile skink kept looking at the two of us then ran in it's cage"
16. They can smell who is who
"Idk what happened to others, but I have 2 friends who are identical twins, they own a golden retriever. One of them, Quincy, owns the dog. They lived separately and when they reunited, me and the dog were there. And the dog was ok, he could smell who's Quincy and who's not. But at the end turns out, the dog likes me the best."
15. This cat loves everyone
"I'm an identical twin and adopted a cat 3 years ago. She's had no different reaction to my brother than me. She's super chill and loves all people."
14. These pets are very welcoming
"My cat doesn't see my brother too much, but if he sees us on the couch together watching football or something, he'll alternate between the two of us like we're the same person. He doesn't really freak out or anything. I just think it's hilarious that my cat doesn't even really know my brother and he still treats him like family, but won't give my roommates the time of day. He either knows we're twins, or thinks we're the same person."
13. This dog was confused by matching outfits
"Our sons are not twins at all, but people mistake them for one another all the time. Oldest son left for 2 years during which time we got a new dog. New dog did not like oldest son when he returned, but adored youngest son from the get go. One day both sons walked in the door wearing the same outfit (not planned) and the dog stood there not knowing who to bark at and who to go to for loves."
12. This dog had to pause
"His dog Pablo the pitbull lost his freaking mind when I walked in, then my brother walked he just.. froze"
11. Like having another dad
"Our dog loves my husband's twin! He went crazy for him immediately, and jumps on him like he does my husband."
10. The cat didn't know who to trust
Giphy"My mom is an identical twin. My childhood cat Linus was a total scaredy cat, abused at an early age and terrified of new people, but an absolute sweetheart with us. When my aunt came to visit for the first time, Linus walked right up to her and snuggled against her leg. She started scratching him and all was going great until he saw my mom. Cue very quick back-and-forth head turns, followed by running up the stairs and hiding for hours! Poor baby!"
9. Pups and kids can't tell the difference
"Rusty was a good boy and was ecstatic there were two of us. More to play with, I guess. He learned to tell us apart though, and I kind of felt like an indulgent uncle with him. It's even more fun as my brother and I have had children in our own families and they can't tell us apart until they are almost two."
8. The birds wouldn't fall for it
Giphy"My dad and his brother were identical and same voice, too. My dad rescued a nest of bird babies whose mama never came back and he would feed them. He would go outside and say 'where are my babies?' And their little heads would pop up, chirping and chattering and he would feed them.
One day his brother came over and my dad told him to go out and say 'where are my babies?' And the birds stayed silent. Not a peep.
He tried again to no avail. My dad said it and instantly the babies popped up and chirping.
They couldn't see him, and his voice was identical yet they just knew. It was uncanny!"
7. An evil twin
"Identical twin here. It's weird because my dog loves me but HATES my sister. Like, when she comes around he growls at her and barely lets her touch him. I have no idea why, he isn't like this to the rest of my family or friends. Maybe he thinks she is an imposter? Lmao we have no idea!"
6. Poor pup...
"My dad and my uncle were identical twins - their voices sound so similar even my mom would get confused before the invention of caller ID. My dad passed away last year, and when my uncle came over the family beagle didn't notice, but when my uncle spoke he perked up. But then he would go and sniff him and get sad again."
5. They can smell the difference
"I'm an identical twin, my dogs had no issues distinguishing between me and my sister. They could tell by smell."
4. Cats don't mess around
"My twin and I have lived separately and together several times. My dog treated my sister and me like two separate members of the same family, but both our cats (one is mine, one is hers) have made it clear from the beginning the other twin is a second class citizen. We have exactly the same voice so when we visit each other there's about 1 minute of 'why are there two of you' and then it's business as usual."
3. The voice was confusing
"my grandfather had a younger brother whose voice sounded indistinguishable from his own, to all us humans anyway. they were not twin like in appearance (nor scent, one assumes).
one day our big studly master of his domain German Shepard catches Uncle Reggie on the front porch and starts going at him and Uncle Reggie says, 'oh Scout, now stop that.'
And Scout did the full cartoon stop, head sideways, and that whimper that sounds like a question mark.
So his appearance wasn't mistaken by the dog at all - but he did confuse the hell out of him with the identical voice."
2. I feel so bad for this loyal dog
"Long time ago my grandfather had a dog that went with him to work the fields on his farm. He passed away and dog stayed with my father and his mother. G-father's brother came up the driveway one day to visit, walking and looking like my g-pa. The dog went crazy in the house. She was barking and going from window to window. They finally let her out as he was walking up the steps to the porch. She ran up to him all excited until she saw it wasn't her master. It was like someone had kicked her. The tail went under and she slowly walked over to her bed and laid down in her sadness."
1. It's thrilling to have two owners
"The first oddly-specific ask reddit I am qualified to answer. My dog lost his mind when my twin came to visit. He excitedly dashed back and forth between the two of us thrilled to see us both.
Then again, he's a golden retriever so he does that with everyone."
Woman Sets Up Photo Booth For The Birds That Visit Her Yard—And Captures Some Stunning Images
A German woman named Lisa M. Ca, who uses the name Ostdrossel on Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Etsy, has always had a love of birds. When she moved from Germany to Michigan to be with her husband she noticed the similarities in climate, and the major differences in the varieties of birds.
Lisa told Detroit Metro Times about her desire to learn more about these new birds.
"I wanted to get a little closer and started researching what cameras are out there as a little addition to my DSLR. This is how I found the Bird Photo Booth."
The Bird Photo Booth she references is a device used to capture hi-res, close-up shots of birds while they eat at the attached bird feeder using a motion sensor to sense when a bird is there. Lisa's photo booth can capture around 7000 photos in one day, which she spends her evenings sorting through to find the best shots.
Lisa's photos have become an internet success, as she has a talent for choosing the shots that showcase the birds' unique features and personalities.
Cardinals:
The Northern Cardinal, or Cardinalis cardinalis, is one of the better-known North American birds. Their bright red plumage is hard to miss, and makes the Cardinal easy to identify.
Starlings:
Sturnus vulgaris, or the Common Starling, may be beautiful with it's iridescent feathers and intricate patterns, but it is actually an invasive species. Starlings can be useful to farmers when their huge flocks eat insects and other pests in the fields, but they can become the pests themselves when they devour whole fields of fruit or other crops.
Bluebirds:
Sialia sialis are easily identified by their bright blue and orange-brown plumage. They range throughout the eastern part of North America, and can travel as far south as Nicaragua in Central America!
Finches:
Several species of the genus Haemorhous roam through Michigan. They are also frequently kept as pets.
Bluejays:
Bluejays, also known as Cyanocitta cristata, are another easily recognized species. Their bright blue, black, and white markings set them apart from the many other species of birds that live in the area.
Baltimore Orioles:
The namesake of Baltimore's MLB team, male Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) are easily spotted by their contrasting black and bright orange coloring.
Grackles:
The common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) ranges throughout central and eastern United States, and up into southern Canada. They can be easily identified by their black and slightly iridescent blue bodies and bright yellow eyes.
Mourning Doves:
Mourning doves are the source of that haunting "coooo, coooo" sound you may have heard in urban areas. Zenaida macroura range throughout North and Central America, so if you've been to the US or Mexico, you have probably seen or heard them.
Wait...Those aren't birds!
Lisa has captured some amazing bird pictures over the years, showcasing the sheer variety of birds that frequent her area of Michigan. Of the birds her camera captures, Lisa says:
"The birds are like little jewels from nature. They make my day."
Home is a sanctuary. It is the place where we are all entitled to enter and all that ails us just fades away because the outside world is a dark place. And it's our haven, our time in our safe space that keeps us sane. However, this is too often not the case. Home can be a place of turmoil and grief. Sometimes what is on the other side of the front door can be daunting and a life changing experience.
Redditor u/Cyan26 wanted to know what unknowns were creeping behind closed doors by asking... What's the worse thing you've come home to?