I also put it on my form so if they ever want to whine about it that there’s problem (I’ll go to VCAT about it). I am worried, however, because at some point I’m going to have to move and I worry about what all this will mean. Whatever happens, I just have to find a place that will take Spotty because she’s my responsibility.

Thanks for that, Lefa. You shouldn’t have to do that. Some people don’t get it, but the vast majority of Australians are pet owners and I bet most of them get it.

“Some people might think I’m crazy, but wanting a place I can have my dog living with me is one of the only two reasons I want to own my own home (the other reason is to never, ever have to deal with a landlord again!).”

I can understand that perfectly. Here’s hoping that Chronic Fatigue improves. How dare they deny your your dog who does so much to help your health.

Paul, I wouldn’t buy a pet from a pet shop, not the least because pet shops have rather dodgy reputations when it comes to looking after the pets in their care.

Gallico also wrote the delightful ‘Manxmouse’ about a mouse, so apparently he was a man of pretty-well-rounded affections. Also upside-down ones… he wrote The Poseidon Adventure, too. And IIRC, I think he made his living as a sportswriter much or most of the time. A fine use of a belle-lettristic temperament.

Some people might think I’m crazy, but wanting a place I can have my dog living with me is one of the only two reasons I want to own my own home (the other reason is to never, ever have to deal with a landlord again!).

I’ve been splitting my time between my parent’s home in one state and my partner’s home in another state because I can’t bear to leave the dog. Some of my family/friends think this is nuts “how can you not live with your husband and leave the dog with your folks?!?!” but they just don’t get it.

I suppose it’s also complicated by the fact that I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and the dog is my most effective form of therapy to date. He certainly improves my wellbeing, first and foremost as my companion but also as a way to regulate my life and routines.

I’ve got three at the moment and they’re all excellent, although Basil is certainly the most excellent. In fact he is the best cat ever and I tell him this often. At present they are all quite angry with us because a new cat door has been installed and they would rather have kept the old one thank you very much.

I can only assume that certain cat hating commenters haven’t seen this thread or there’d be recipes for poison posted.

Helen, Year of the Dog was a flawed movie and none of the characters got off lightly. I watched it again recently and found it more funny than I did the first time (and the scene with Pencil dying was horrible). I thought the ending was problematic as well. As humans we aren’t perfect, but I think we do our best with our furry friends. More education is needed, though. I will have another think about that movie.

David is right about that. Pets are a very important factor in keeping up people’s sense of well-being. Evidently, this isn’t important to some people who think that moolah is more important than people’s health. When I was trawling the web about this topic, I noted that some real estate people find pet owners to be more responsible (one said she has had more trouble with ex-boyfriends than pets).

They use pets as therapy these days.

Paul, cats are creatures who don’t need your love. Indeed, they seem not to like people who thrust theirs on them. They’re complicated little creatures in some ways, but it’s bull that they’re not affectionate or loyal.

I like dogs and if I was living in a place with a backyard would love to have a Maltese.

Joe2, I agree. Other people shouldn’t have to put up with other people’s pets (and nor should our wildlife). And also the city is simply no place for cats to go wandering (I’ve lost count of the number of missing cat signs around my suburb - although Spotty managed to get out the other night due to a door being left open accidentally. Fortunately she was only two doors down). I have to say Spotty’s predatory instincts get a work-out in relation to bugs. She loves to chase bugs, but I think the best she’s done is catch an already dying moth.

RIP Gorby. I’d check on whether they are legally allowed to say that to your mum, Jacques. If the landlord says anything, I say go to Today Tonight or Consumer Affairs (the show’s crap, but sometimes you’ve got to do what you have to do). Your post is a good illustration of what David was talking about. Petey sounds like a great puss.

Darlene, yep, it is always the children that suffer in a divorce.

Wow, Paul, that’s great. People are a bit funny about lizards. I think we think they are going to bite our fingers off or something.

That’s not good, Emma. The love for a pet is always going to be different (and special), but we all still need other types of love in our lives. Spotty was 14 months old when I adopted her. From what I can understand her previous owners split up and couldn’t decide who was going to take her (I also think Spotty wouldn’t have been good with kids).

She resisted for a couple of years but as I was born into a family of cats she had never known any different and pretty much being single and on her own she looked for another siamese despite what the strata agreed on. She late last year got a little chocolate point siamese kitten which she named Petey (thinking it was a boy). Once I had reliably informed her Petey was a girl she decided to keep the name as in all honesty who cares, she knew that to be her name and of course Petey could be a nickname for Peta. She hasn’t heard anything back yet from the owners but tough the rest of the people in the block of units have no problem with her and one being almost 90yo quite likes playing with her during the day and Petey even goes inside her place every now and then just to make sure everything is in order (as cats do).

On a unrelated note I house sit and have taken over the looking after of the owner’s pets. All are reasonably old. A big moggy called Zappa and two dogs Boris a part german shepherd and of course his sidekick Gorby who last year went to doggy heaven.

Forcing them to give their animals away is a subtle form of murder.

Paul Burns, I have a whippet. What a strange, but loving animal they are.

“I love my dog/cat/budgie etc as much as I love you”

Have been on the receiving end of “You love that cat more than you love me!” Also quite distressing!

Darlene, how old was Spotty when you adopted her?