Check out these 15 examples of unusual pets kept around the world. Then next time you’re caught in the midst of some tedious debate between a cat lover and a dog lover about which is the better pet, you can just turn to them and say, “Actually, I’m more of a hippo person myself.”

Assalah town, north Dahab. All photos by author.

There are nine goats lounging in the shade of a pebbly grey wall, staring at my dog. Eighteen bulging, cross-slit eyes, expressionless. My dog is staring at the camel standing haughty across the street. The camel is staring at the man sitting outside the café: white galabaya, purple headscarf, smoke from his cigarette rising through the dust-dry air. He is staring at me. Caught in an inter-species Mexican stand-off, I try not to stare anywhere.

The dog is called Nesma. She’s not really my dog. I’m looking after a friend’s flat in Dahab for a while, and Nesma came with the flat. Her name means “breeze”, the sort of fresh, life-giving breeze that in an ideal world would presage the coming of Spring. She’s fascinated by camels.

She’s also fascinated by children. As we turn off the street and duck down a narrow alleyway between two houses to reach the beach she starts straining at her leash. Some kids are fooling around, pulling somersaults and backflips off the top of an upturned boat, landing perfect tens in the sand each time. They see her, shout “Nessssmaaaa!” I let her go. It’s playtime.

Mountains of the Sinai, Egypt.

Running-chasing-ducking-diving; giggles and yelps swirling with the breeze. One boy, butt-naked save for leggings of wet sand, dives to the ground. Nesma rushes and leaps right over him, executes a doggie-style handbrake turn, and then bundles straight into him.

Content to be ignored, I gaze northwards along the sweeping arc of the coastline. Here the jagged granite mountains of the Sinai almost reach the sea. They glow pinky orange, but there’s nothing soft about them: they look stark and unforgiving. Across the Gulf of Aqaba, the mountains guarding Saudi Arabia’s interior are wreathed in a heat haze, the shimmering borders of an almost mythical kingdom.

We wander south along the beach towards town. I’m grinning. At Nesma chasing the birds, at the feel of coarse sand between my toes, at being outside. Living in Cairo had been suffocating me: the weight of her crowds, her traffic, her pollution and her noise finally getting me down. Always somewhere to go or someone to see. Not allowing myself any downtime. More than dog-and-flat sitting, I’ve come to Dahab to unwind and recharge.

The sea seems somehow regal today. Skirts of mottled blue-grey and light green, a fluffy white ruff 100 metres out where the waves are breaking, then a cloak of deepest indigo. I breathe in the sounds: the lap and suck of the water against the shore, the whisper of the wind through the palm fronds, the swish of the sand as Nesma rushes past me and careers straight towards a man praying on the beach…

Nesma the wonder-dog with the author.

“Shit. Nesma. NESma! Come here!” He can’t not have noticed the streak of tiger-striped fur hurtling towards him, but carries on regardless. There’s a tension in his back as he bends forward, touches his head to the ground.

“COME. HERE!” Nesma wheels round at the last minute, races back to me.

“Good dog. Gooood, dog.” It’s time to put her back on the leash.

*

We’ve reached the tourist strip, and a yellow and purple brick path runs alongside the beach for the next few kilometres. But there’s little beach left, much of it swallowed by the glut of cafes and restaurants. “Al Capone.” “Ali Baba.” “Same Same But Different.” Same same but not different. A procession of dive centres, hotels, camps and bars. Rinse and repeat. Crappy bazaars full of the same tat that’s for sale in any tourist town in Egypt. T-shirts emblazoned with a nudge and a wink: “Divers Do It Deeper”.

Part of the Dahab tourist strip.

It’s a familiar scene, and I flash back to life as a tour leader. Strutting the strip with a gaggle of tourists in tow. Greeting restaurant owners, bantering with touts. Group dinners with extra-attentive service, seafood platters decorated with tin foil topiary and candles placed inside hollowed out peppers.

These days, Nesma is more famous than I am. I like that. She’s in her element, tail wagging as she greets all her human and doggie friends. I do still have mates here, but many of them still think I’m a tour leader. I have to explain that no, I’m living here now. Looking after a dog and a flat.

It feels good saying that, “I’m living here.” But I’ve been out in the sun too long today, and it’s lulled me mellow. I’m going to feel it tomorrow. I stop for a coffee, rest my eyes on the sea. Think back over four years in Egypt: tour leading, teaching, writing; travelling the country; carving myself a pleasurable but exhausting rut in Cairo. Now Dahab.

Yes, I am living here. For at least six weeks, probably longer. Does that make it my home? I’m not sure. But I feel grounded here, content. That’s enough for now.

I watch a group of divers enter the sea, awkward at first with the weight of the tanks on their shoulders. But then the water takes the strain, unburdens them. They sink beneath the waves to explore a new world.

Nesma snaps me out of my reverie. She’s stalking the café owner’s cat! I grab her collar just in time. She looks at me as if to say, “But I’m a dog; I’m meant to chase cats.”

I’m glad she always knows where home is.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

How do you know when you are at “home”? Is it where you are comfortable? Where you are exactly who you are? Wherever you happen to be living? Share your thoughts below.

For more inspiration, check out our Photo Essay: Coming Home With The Matador Community.

The animal shelter was crowded with people huddled around the kennels holding kittens. Teenage girls oohed and aahed as they held the tiny lumps of fur in their hands. Mothers gently placed kittens in their childrens’ arms, showing them how to properly hold the critters.

And then there was Toby. Full grown and more than a year old, he lay by himself on a cat climber in the corner of the room, lazily licking his paw. This scene was nothing new to him, especially considering he’d been living at the shelter for nearly a year.

When my husband walked into the room, a young girl had been petting Toby.

“How about this one?” she asked her mother.

“We don’t want a broken cat,” her mother replied.

That had been the story of Toby’s life since arriving at the shelter. No one showed any interest in the cat with one eye, half an ear and half a tail. So we did the only logical thing: We adopted Toby.

Why We Do It

Toby is not our only adopted critter. In fact, my husband and I made the decision long ago never to have children and began adopting special needs and older animals instead. Though I could go on for hours about our choice to have animals instead of kids, suffice to say that I believe that, in a world that is already overpopulated, there is no need for me to reproduce. I also believe that a lot of women have children because they think they’re supposed to, or they’re pressured into doing what their mother, grandmother, sister, best friend or hairdresser tells them to do.

Not me. I make the decisions about my body, and one of the things I’ve decided with my husband is that we’d much rather provide a comfortable home for a handful of four-legged critters instead of children.

The Special Needs Problem

In many ways, Toby is a normal cat. He needs no special medications and doesn’t have any medical problems due to his physical shortcomings. We can’t sneak up on his blind side and occasionally he loses his balance, but he loves lying in the sunshine and pouncing on toys just like any other cat.

Many people see physical deformities in an animal as a sign of a shortcoming, but this just isn’t true. Nor is it true that an animal with a medical or mental problem is any less of an animal. The real problem is that they require extra care—perhaps medications or a special diet—and possibly more vigilance, which sometimes equates to more money.

For people who just want to adopt a pet and not a family member, this added expense is an issue and many of the animals who have special needs are cast aside for more ideal models.

My definition of special needs doesn’t just encompass noted physical or mental issues. Many animals that are rescued have been neglected or abused, and they have emotional scarring that requires special attention. My husband and I adopted our dog, Butch Mbwa, from Kenya, a logistical and financial nightmare that was worth his happiness. Though it takes him a long time to feel at ease around unfamiliar men and he still gets nervous at the dog park, he lives a safe and comfortable life now.

Older Animals

Everyone wants to adopt a new, cute, perfect animal, but kittens and puppies don’t stay small forever, and many of them are returned to the shelter once the novelty of having a pet wears off. This doesn’t make sense to me personally; the pets we’ve adopted are our family members, and the idea of returning a kid to the hospital after a few months is ludicrous, yet people surrender animals all of the time.

Photo by: W J (Bill) Harrison

Just as special needs animals are at a disadvantage when it comes to being adopted, so are adult and senior animals. I’m not sure why people are so hesitant to adopt older animals—perhaps they think of them as used or past their prime of life?—but my husband and I go out of our way to adopt older pets for several reasons.

Older animals are already trained and require a lot less moment-to-moment maintenance. They’re significantly more laid back than younger animals, and they’ve had time to develop a demeanor and personality, so you know what you’re getting when you adopt.

However, older pets may require additional care or medications, which equates to a larger financial commitment.

We know that when we adopt older animals, they won’t be with us for a lifetime, but I like to know that we’re providing a relaxed place for them to live out the remainder of their lives. Our Chihuahua/Boston terrier mix, Bianca, for example, joined our family when she was 10 years old. She is deaf, has a heart murmur and is now nearing the elderly age of 12. The vet told us she’ll probably live to be 15 or 16, so we don’t have a long time with her, but we’ll care for and love her until her last day.

Adopting older animals also gives us the opportunity to provide more animals with a home. We can’t adopt every needy animal that crosses our path, but by adopting older pets, we know we’ll be able to provide more of them with homes over a longer period of time.

Adoption Considerations

Adopting a special needs or older pet is similar to adopting any pet, but there are additional considerations. Instead of jumping in to the decision, you really should think about all of the circumstances surrounding the animal’s needs. One of the worst things that can happen is you find the fit is wrong, forcing you to surrender the animal you’ve just adopted.

If you’re thinking about adopting a special needs or older pet, there are a few things you need to ask yourself, including:

1.) What are the additional financial costs? Think about any special medications, treatments or diet plans your pet will require. Animals with mobility issues may need therapy while those with medical problems might require more vet visits or surgeries. Older animals will need to have their teeth cleaned more often than younger animals.

2.) Can I accommodate the animal? Special needs pets might need medications at certain times of the day or particular living arrangements so they can move around. As a caregiver, you’ll need to make sure you are available to meet these needs or find a way to address them before introducing the animal to your home.

3.) How will the animal fit in with the rest of the family? Animals with emotional issues may feel overwhelmed with young children or a lot of people in the house. Additionally, introducing new animals into a home where pets are already living can be a challenge. Before you adopt, inquire about any environmental conditions the animal cannot tolerate. Some organizations allow you see if a pet would be comfortable living in your home with a short-term “fostering” period. This might be an overnight stay or a few days.

Where to Adopt

Special needs and older animals everywhere need homes, so you won’t need to look far to find one to adopt. If you need somewhere to start, consider these places:

1.) Your local humane shelter. Many cities have an animal shelter packed to capacity. Inquire about those animals that have been there the longest, are the oldest or need special care.

2.) Animal database networks. There are rescue groups that take in stray or abandoned animals all over the world. Once the animals are immunized and spayed or neutered, they’re placed in an online database that people can search based on animal type, breed, age, size, gender and special needs. In the United States, for example, Petfinder offers a service that matches people with the ideal pet, even if they initially live thousands of miles apart.

3.) Breed-specific rescue groups.

Pit bull photo by: stephpowell

If you’re interested in adopting a specific breed of animal, chances are there is a rescue group that would be happy to place a pet in your home. Rescue groups often receive the animals saved from breeding mills that are shut down; they also get greyhounds that can’t run anymore, pit bulls that have been banned due to city restrictions and dogs who don’t otherwise “live up” to the hype of their breed.

4.) The street. Though it isn’t safe to approach a wild dog or feral cat, if a stray animal adopts you, consider adopting it. If you’re considering adopting an animal off the street, ask around the neighborhood first. In many nations, animals roam around without identification, and what may appear to be a stray actually belongs to someone else. In many other places, however, the concept of a pet doesn’t even exist and the animals on the street truly are homeless.

5.) Foster. If you absolutely must have a kitten or puppy, consider adopting an older or special needs animal, then volunteer to foster young animals that need to adapt to socialization or grow older before they are suitable for adoption. It feeds the need to have cute, young animals, but still allows you provide a forever home for those who are less likely to be adopted.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Have you ever adopted a special needs or older pet? Tell us about your experiences.

Want to meet some of the Matador community’s pets? Check out this Matador pet photo essay.

Photo by author

When I first heard the story of Nudge, a gay dog, and his blind owner Ian Jolly being refused admittance to Thai Spice, an eatery in Australia, I was stunned. Apparently, the Thai Spice host misheard when Mr. Jolly demanded entrance for his “guide” dog, hearing “gay” dog instead. They assumed the dog had been “desexed.”

Still, at first I gave the restaurant the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was a joke. Or maybe, as with many restaurants, Thai Spice doesn’t allow dogs because of health code violations or because many people simply don’t feel comfortable watching a large mutt licking his genitals over lunch.

It’s Just Not Funny To Mr Jolly

As I read further, though, I began to realize this is no joke at all.

Photo by author

You see, it was not just one person involved in this horrible discrimination. The entire Thai Spice staff banded together to agree that this desexed – clearly another word for gay – dog should not be allowed to dine.

Thankfully, the miscarriage of justice was swiftly made right when the South Australia Equal Rights Tribunal ordered the restaurant owners to send an apology and $1400 in compensation to Mr. Jolly and his dog.

But the damage had already been done.

“I always have that fear now, when I go out,” says Mr Jolly. “I just want to be like everybody else and be able to go out for dinner, to be left alone and just enjoy a meal.”

Yes, because of this egregious incident, Mr Jolly will always live in fear.

Gay Dog Discrimination Hits Home: Is He Or Isn’t He?

I just got a new puppy. He’s only three months old now, but what if my puppy, my sweet little Manuel, is also gay? How would I handle the type of inexcusable discrimination faced by Mr. Jolly and Nudge?

Director Jason Bolicki produced a fabulous video detailing twenty guidelines to help determine whether or not someone is gay. These range from throwing like a girl, to being catty, to the love of dance.

The Case for Mani’s Gayness

He loves to dance. He’s a drama queen. He’s most definitely a whiny bitch and a mama’s boy. Mani adores being center of attention, and not a day goes by I don’t see him running through the yard with his most trusted gal pal, our daughter Lila.

The Case for Mani’s Heterosexuality

He does NOT pepper his dialogue with pop culture references, nor is he into water sports. He actually seems to hate water, as evidenced by his scrambling immediately from the tub every time I try to give him a bath. Thus leading to the next measurement of gayness. He is not at all clean. Mani is unbelievably stinky.

Some measurements were inconclusive. If he’s gay and we, his family, are the last to know, then how exactly would I even know that? I also have no way of gauging how dearly he values education, and I was simply not up to the task of testing to see if he likes a fist in his butt. I’m all for science, but one must draw the line somewhere.

Final results: Nine gay characteristics. Eight non-gay characteristics. Three inconclusive.

Darwin Was Wrong!

The more I research the topic, the more I find information that contradicts Darwin’s original premise of sexual selection. Males do not exclusively choose female animals for mating. In fact, there’s a very vibrant and vast gay animal kingdom in which over 450 species get it on with the same sex.

Photo by janet

Clearly, it’s too soon to know if our little Mani is gay, but if he is, that’s alright. If he prefers not to mount the nearest female in heat and instead chooses to partake in the penis fencing and genital massage of the bonobos, or the all-male orgies of the bottle nose dolphin, so be it. We will love and support him as he is.

If Mani is, in fact, gay, this presents us as parents with a unique opportunity to teach our now six year old daughter tolerance and equanimity. She will learn that sexual identity is not a reason to discriminate or deny marriage, joint health care or living will rights.

Perhaps this new era of the gay dog will usher in a time of greater peace and understanding. A time in which all people and animals will look one to the other and say, “You’re OK by me.”

Or maybe it’s a sign of the impending apocalypse? I don’t know. I often have trouble discerning between the two.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

What do you think about Nudge being refused entry to the restaurant? Do you have a gay pet? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Above photo by author. Feature photo byTorley

My five-year-old daughter Lila spends a decent amount of her time on YouTube. She loves hopping from video to video, and I always get a kick out of her favorites. The overweening appeal of cats — and the effect they can have on a blog or website — dawned on me this weekend when she found The Mean Kitty Song.

Over thirty one millions hits. Yes, you read that right. Thirty. One. Million. Hits.

It’s a cute video, and even taking into account the number of small children who, like Lila, will view this thing 30 times a day if left to their own devices, that’s still a lot of people watching a cute little tabby cat in action.

The adorable spiky haired guy singing? I can’t help wondering how many times he got laid because this video.

But it doesn’t stop there….

This video of a cat freaking out also holds its own as far as Youtube views with well over 9 million views.

Why is this poor thing acting this way? According to the video notes, she’s never been abused, she just doesn’t like men.

And finally, this next video of an orange feline clocks in at over 2 million views.

I suppose I’d also be somewhat miffed if someone named me Burger and Fries.

The Magical Allure of Kitty Cat Cuteness

Beyond Youtube, you’ll find a proliferation of funny and popular cat websites like Lolcats.com which features the ever famous cat in a fruit helmet photo. There’s also sparklecat.com apparently written by cats for cats. It even has a Cat-To-Cat advice column offering tips on everything from how to keep your human from dressing you up in costumes to methods of coping when your person comes home smelling of other cats.

Even the most hardened human cannot resist a pissed off cat dressed as a taco, two cats talking or yet another cat in citrus head gear, this time with wayfarer animation.

How do we harness the all powerful attraction of cats for our own websites and projects? I’ll let you know when I figure it out. In the meantime, hang in there!

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Just can’t get enough? Take a look at photos of Matador member’s pets or learn more about taking your pet along when traveling.

Last week, we put out a call for Matador member pet photos. We received contributions from all over the world: Argentina, Mexico, Japan, the Phillipines, Canada, England, Indonesia, and many states across the US.

The response didn’t surprise me.

Pets are more than companions for many of us. They’re family members, teachers, and travel buddies. They’re who we miss when we travel. Some of us even find ways to take our pets on the road with us, deepening our joy and connection to others on the journey.

This photo essay celebrates the pets of Matador community members, writers, and editors. By showing off our pet photos, we open our lives, allowing others to see the tender, more intimate side of ourselves.

Enjoy the photos and descriptions below. Feature photo by Magnera.

1. Tobi in Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada. “Tobi is an alpha female who enjoys speaking in growls, bullying other dogs, and mooching off guests when they come visit.”- Ian MacKenzie, Brave New Traveler Editor

2. “This is Dexter. He’s 12. He escaped his carrier when the drugs wore off on the flight from the US to Argentina. The woman next to me said, ‘Your cat.’ He’d been nudging my feet and I knew the drugs were wearing off. Half asleep, I said, ‘I know. He’s fine.’ She said, ‘No! He’s out!’ He’d unzipped his carrier and started toward the aisle and was luckily detained by my seat mate. I gave him another pill and held him as he looked out the window at the newly illuminated clouds. I never saw such a look of shock and disbelief on his face before. It was precious. Now he attacks and happily munches any insect that flies into the apartment.” -Kate Sedgwick, Matador Nights Editor

3.Alison Turner’s dog, Max, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. She describes him as a cartoon. Alison quit her job to travel across the USA with Max and a tent.

4.Jetson (aka Devil Cat) in St. Alban’s, Newfoundland. “He’s a real tomcat and a general nuisance to the neighborhood. He’s also been shot at more than 50 Cent. I love him anyway.”-Candice Walsh, Matador Network Associate Editor

5. Rufus on the east coast of Okinawa, Japan.“Here’s Rufus, my Husky/Shiba, physical trainer, ears, eyes, constant companion and cat cruncher!”- Mike Lynch

6. “My wife rescued Julio off the streets of Buenos Aires in 2002.”-David Miller, Matador Network Senior Editor and Founding Editor of the Traveler’s Notebook

7. “Our family includes (clockwise): Toby (our mischievous, one-eyed cat), Butch Mbwa (the laid-back dog who adopted us in Kenya), Abby (our queen diva and head-warmer extraordinaire) and Bianca (our awkward little deaf chihuahua who snores and stumbles her way through life).”-Associate editor JoAnna Haugen of Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo of Butch Mbwa and Toby taken in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.)

8. Akeelah on a road trip, “sleeping on the dashboard on a tour through fall colors in Prince Edward Island.”-Dona Francis

9. The goat, Little Bit, on the Lone, California farm of  MatadorU alum and member Carina Port. “They’re kept just as pets because they’re so fun.”

10. Sara Gonzalez’s cat “Rebelde” (rebeld in spanish) in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

11. Leah Budke’s dog, Zoey enjoying the first snow of the season in Hays, Kansas.

12. “This is Storm, a shy formerly abused dog we rescued, hiking on Mt. Hood’s Timberline Trail.”-Ahimsa Kerp

13. Matador Network Intern, Abbie Mood, took this shot in Anaheim, CA after her dogs, Daisy and Sadie, were “pooped after a loooong hike!”

14. “Emerson was adopted from a pit bull rescue and lives with us in the mountains of California. He enjoys nothing more than romping around in squishy piles of snow. Despite our protests, Emerson emphatically insists that he is indeed a 75 pound lap dog.”- Sarah Park

15. Lori Rice’s dog, Macy, at her parent’s house in Newburgh, Indiana. Macy’s full name?  Macy Maek the World a Better Place.

16. “This is Umbra and Dakota who are so in love and inseparable! They are always playing with each other and have such different personalities.”- Zak Kleyn, who moved with Umbra and Dakota from Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa to Farnham, Surrey, England.

17. “This is my chocolate lab Adi, enjoying Halloween in Texas after a year living in Korea. Her little buddy is my sister’s puppy, whom everyone calls Jordan (but I call her Wicket, for what I think are obvious reasons).”- Michelle Schusterman, Matador Network Associate Editor

18. Karen Tiambeng’s dog, Simon. Karen and Simon live in the metro Manila, Phillipines.

19. Colby Sharlin’s dog, Wrigley, curious about her book in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

20. “Samson is our fiery and passionate little Schnauzer with a FAB sense of adventure with a personality to match. And he speaks German.”-Carrie Walkup of New York, New York.

21. Staci Kuppe’s dog, Benji, who “just likes being happy” in Elmira, New York.

22. Ricky Herman’s dog, Lilo, in Jakarta, Indonesia, “rubbed and shampooed on a sunny day.”

23. “This is The Stella. This is The Stella’s throne. She manages to pretzel herself into 10,500 complicated positions on it. From here she takes in the scene in our study, where Jorge and I are tapping away on our computers. When she wants to go out, she heaves a big, heavy sigh, so heartbreaking that I’m forced to stand up, lace up the ol’ running shoes, and take her out for a spin. When we meet the street kids, who know her by now, she goes through a good fifteen minute session of “shake.” Shake! shout the kids, and she offers up a paw. Shake! Shake! Over and over. That’s my girl.”- Sarah Menkedick, Matador Abroad Co-Editor

24.My dog, Zoey, and husband enjoying Kure Beach, North Carolina. Zoey’s also my writing buddy. Her presence keeps the vibe peaceful and simple, reminding me to breathe, be mindful, take walk breaks, smile. -Author and Matador Network Intern, Nancy Harder

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

How have pets bettered your life and travels? If you’re traveling or camping with your dog, check out Sascha Matuszak’s 8 Tips for Camping with your Dog and Ian MacKenzie’s Tips for Taking your Dog on the Road.

When I first saw this video on YouTube, I thought so what? Then I began reading through the long list of comments to see what people had to say. Some made me smile. Others made me raise an eyebrow or two. Others questioned the war and then were attacked for doing so.

As I read on, though, I found a small window into the life of Lt Schmidt, his wife and his dog extending beyond these few minutes, spanning years to tell the true story of what it means to both go to war and then come home.

Truckdrivah:
OMG I am crying. Truly, dogs (or bitches) are a man’s best friend.

Debby429:
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

5293278363:
Semper Fi – (do) !

Ltschmidt02:
Gracie is half golden retriever/ half corgi. We saved her from the pound in 2004. She’s sitting at my feet as I type this, begging for cheese and crackers.

Princess8788:
LOL when my husband came back from Iraq the second time. He got out of the truck and his dog launched herself from the ground straight into his arms.

Ltschmidt02:
Gracie is still doing great … she is a hell of a good friend. She is six now and still gets a ton of attention even now that my wife and I have a young son.

Doglover1:
Therefore by the grace of God, goes Dog.

LtSchmidt02:
There are tens of thousands of combat arms soldiers and Marines on their third+ 12 month deployment down range; I’m only gearing up for my second. I don’t want to be made a symbol for something that I don’t deserve to be. You have to be careful, because you have no control when you go on TV unless you are very, very savvy (I am not). Or you get crazy and end up building a UFO weather balloon in your back yard.

Now I have to go change a diaper, then walk Gracie.

sleepyrodent:
I’m sorry if all the attention this clip has received is getting a little overwhelming (I think I’d be a little intimidated too!). It’s really selfless of you to sacrifice a bit of your privacy to make so many people happy with this slice of your life. It gives hope to those of us with loved ones over there that we’ll get to have such a happy reunion.

colodomom:
My husband is a prior enlisted Captain in the Air Force who did some time in Afghanistan.You’re right, the guys deployed for a year or more are heros and so are their wives. I think I know why your video has become so popular. People are aching for a good story. We’ve heard lots of sad stories, lots of heroic stories, but I think people are looking for a simple, happy story. Thanks to you and your family for giving that to us. Best wishes and stay safe.

Ltschmidt02:
I have been activated again. Bummer. I am going back to Afghanistan soon for six months. Maybe there will be another video of Grace and me in 2011.

Because you never appreciate how much you love home as when you know you’re leaving.

We look forward to your next homecoming video, Ltschmidt02. This next one will be even sweeter, and perhaps more private, as you’re greeted by your wife, child and, of course, Grace.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Why do you think people have had such a strong reaction to this video? And should we perhaps leave him alone now?

Feature photo: Scarleth White; Photo: Randy Son of Robert

So, you think you want a dog?

Here are four questions you need to ask yourself first to determine whether you’re ready to become a dog owner.

1. Why do I want a dog?

There are many reasons to own a dog, but some of them aren’t right for the dog or the owner.

If your neighbor was robbed last week and you just want protection, an alarm system is probably a better option.

If your kids are nagging you for a puppy, be aware they will usually tire of it in a couple of weeks and Fido will become your job.

If you have an empty nest and the house is too quiet, a dog may fill your time and your heart, but realize a dog is a dog, not a four legged human.

If you want a loving, loyal companion to share your life, there are many dogs ready and willing to apply for the position. Please make sure you’re ready for the 8 to 15 year commitment required.

2. How much time do you have?

Dogs are pack animals and they need to be part of the pack – even if it’s a pack of two. They need at least one long walk a day as well as bathroom walks. Walks can’t be skipped because the weather is bad, you have a cold, or you want to sleep in.

If you walk Spot at 7:00 A.M. Monday through Friday, be prepared to do it on Saturday and Sunday, too. As my son once told me, “Dogs don’t understand weekends.”

Puppies and aging dogs require even more time and more walks. Are you up to it? On the up side, a dog is a great motivator for that exercise program you’ve been meaning to start.

3. Do you travel a lot?

Will your dog go with you or have to be boarded? Remember, nothing is more traumatic for a dog than being separated from his pack. If you are gone a lot, consider getting two dogs and hiring a sitter when you are away. Or find a friend with a dog and arrange “play dates” for your dogs. Get them used to each other and their respective homes. Then swap dog sitting duties. You will both save money and the dogs will be happier.

4. Can you afford a dog?

Photo: e3000

It’s not the initial cost of the dog or the food that empties your checking account. It’s the vet bills. So, make sure you budget for your dog’s health needs. Doggy health insurance is also available.

As a final test, keep a friend’s dog while he or she is on vacation. This should be a least a week; two would be better. A weekend is not really long enough to experience owning a dog. Then, if you still want one, start researching how to choose a dog. Choosing the right dog for you is even more important than deciding to get one. Shelters are full of dogs from people who chose on impulse and then couldn’t handle the dog.

This article is long on the negative of deciding to get a dog because the positive won’t cause a problem. A dog brings joy, love, devotion, and companionship. Every dog deserves the same in return. Are you up to it?

Community Connection:

If you think dogs are for the birds, check out our guide How to Buy a Talking Bird.

But if you answered the questions in this article and decided that you are ready to bring a dog into your life, be sure to read “Ten Tips for Traveling with Pets” and “Recession-Proof Your Pet,” just two of the thousands of articles in our archives.

Photo: JasonTromm

Any member of the parrot (or parakeet) family is your best bet but before you rush out to your nearest pet store, you’ll need both time and money to spare; feathered friends require a huge amount of commitment and investment. Costing anywhere between $20 (a baby budgie) to $5,000 (a mature macaw), birds have a much longer lifespan than the average pet and some larger species will even outlive their owners.

They can also be loud and messy creatures and like a small child, will crave attention.

Photo: M e d a

The only way to be 100% sure that you are getting a bird that will talk is to buy a bird that already talks. However, mature animals may have existing behavioural problems (like an unruly adolescent) and this isn’t a good start for the novice. It’s probably best to look for a hand-fed baby so you can teach it yourself from scratch; this will not only be a great way to bond, but also improve chances that he or she will speak.

As there are several hundred different species of parrot, it’s important you do some research to find out which one suits your personality and lifestyle. Although bigger birds make impressive pets, they can be more stubborn and moody and are not the best choice for a starter bird.

Once you’ve made a decision, look for a reputable breeder or supplier. Parrots are delicate creatures– even a healthy looking specimen might be carrying some sort of disease. Buy from someone you can trust.

Key species that have the ability to ’speak’ include:

African Greys:

Known for their extensive vocabulary and cognitive skills, these are highly esteemed among the parrot family.

Amazons:

Have a good reputation thanks to their outstanding talking ability and make a reliable pet.

Budgies:

Small, affectionate and attractive, budgies are a great budget buy. With an average lifespan of 8 – 10 years, they may take a little more effort to train but can become incredibly proficient talkers.

Cockatiels:

Originally from Australia, cockatiels are the smallest member of the Cockatoo family. Known for their excellent whistling and imitation skills, with love and attention, they’ll take on an extensive vocabulary.

Conures:

What Blackbeard would’ve had, these come in an array of colours and are the joker of the pack. They are prone to the occasional screeching outburst and can nip but they love to play and cuddle and can make very rewarding pets.

Macaws:

One for the more experienced owner, Macaws have an excellent talking ability and form a strong bond with humans. They do require constant training to keep them under control and stop them from being excessively loud.

Quaker Parrots:

Their dull exterior hides a fantastic personality. Quakers can be impressive talkers and are capable of using words within 6 months. Their reasonable price and life expectancy makes them an excellent choice.

Ringneck Parrots:

Ringnecks are also a good option as they speak clearly and have attractive plumage.

Now comes the tricky bit: training.

Photo: Dawn Endico

Using the bird’s name or a few easy words to start (“hello”, “goodbye” and “peek-a-boo” are popular though rather unoriginal), speak enthusiastically in a happy and positive tone. Watch the parrot’s reaction and whichever word gets the most response, make that your first training word.

Birds learn to mimic through repetition so repeat the word as often as possible. Bear in mind that some birds can take months or even years to say their first word.

If you don’t think you are getting anywhere, try whistling as many birds find this easier than speech. Also, listen out for your bird mimicking the environmental sounds around your home, such as the telephone, doorbell, and alarm.

Confidence is also important in encouraging the bird to speak; if it feels unsafe, it won’t want to attract attention. Many parrots are shy and will prefer to talk when humans aren’t present so try moving the cage to a more protected area. On the other hand, another human often stimulates speech as the bird will compete for the owner’s attention.

If the bird is making unpleasant sounds or lots of noise, it may be unhappy. Like a child, pets need a good diet, a clean and safe place to live, toys to play with, and human interaction. Improve the environment and spend time training the bird to use more appropriate sounds.

Once the bird has mastered imitative speech, it’s time to move on to responsive speech, where you teach the bird to answer questions. While this takes a lot of practice and patience, the results are obviously pretty cool. But be warned: this can take years.

Whatever the clerk in the pet store tells you, there is NO guarantee your bird will ever talk. Birds need huge amounts of love, patience, and training. Even if yours never speaks a word (and some never will), don’t be disappointed. With all that time spent together, you’ll have made an intelligent and interesting (albeit silent) companion. At least they’ll agree with everything you say.

Community Connection:

Traveling with your pet? Check out our 10 tips for traveling with pets here.