AlayneAdams.net
Your Subtitle text
Pets
Growing up in farming country (and two doors down from a veterinary clinic), animals have always played a major role in my life. If I had the means, I'd probably bring home every stray I could, but as it is, the critters below are the ones who bring joy to my days.
This is Skeeter. Isn't he just the cutest little guy? And check out that snaggletooth! It recently had to be pulled, so he looks more plain now, but it just gave him SO much character!
Schipperkes have long been my favorite small dog (my apt. complex has a weight requirement, so I couldn't have a Doberman or Boxer--my fave big dogs), and it doesn't take five minutes with one to see why. Their enthusiasm for life is unmatched by any other breed I've ever owned/worked with, and I love that foxy little face! They also never "walk" anywhere. They march or trot like they're on parade everywhere they go!
A word of warning, though. Schips are not for the casual dog owner. They're willful and very protective and completely devoted to "their" people/pack. If you don't properly socialize them in the early years, they can become nippy or bitey with strangers.
Skeeter came to me from North Mountain Small Dog rescue in West Virginia, and he was totally worth the drive! Cindi was WONDERFUL to work with, and I send her emails and pictures from time to time to let her see how we're doing and to thank her for bringing this handsome little fella into my life.
Schipperkes have long been my favorite small dog (my apt. complex has a weight requirement, so I couldn't have a Doberman or Boxer--my fave big dogs), and it doesn't take five minutes with one to see why. Their enthusiasm for life is unmatched by any other breed I've ever owned/worked with, and I love that foxy little face! They also never "walk" anywhere. They march or trot like they're on parade everywhere they go!
A word of warning, though. Schips are not for the casual dog owner. They're willful and very protective and completely devoted to "their" people/pack. If you don't properly socialize them in the early years, they can become nippy or bitey with strangers.
Skeeter came to me from North Mountain Small Dog rescue in West Virginia, and he was totally worth the drive! Cindi was WONDERFUL to work with, and I send her emails and pictures from time to time to let her see how we're doing and to thank her for bringing this handsome little fella into my life.
This is my Timneh African Grey (parrot) Kaia (named for the African goddess of the earth). I haven't had Kaia DNA-sexed to know for sure she's a she, but it doesn't really matter. She loves her name and loves to call herself ("Hi Kaia") or to tell herself how wonderful she is "Gooooood bird, Kaia, good bird.")
I never, ever thought I'd be a "bird person," but they are the most amazing animals!!
Yes, she talks (ALLLL the time, just not in front of strangers much), and she often uses words/phrases in their correct context [e.g. saying "Uh oh" when I dropped the keys, saying "Goodbye" when my date comes to pick me up or when I take my car keys and tote bag out the door (she never says it if I'm just running the trash out or going to the mailbox), making the "gulping" sound when she wants some of whatever I'm drinking, and asking me "Do you want a bath?" when she's the one who wants one!]
One of the funniest things she does is make loud noises that Cueball does (below), then either quickly says, "Cueball, quit that" or waits for me to fuss at him, then laughs to herself at getting him in trouble (and she laughs in "my" voice!). She actually plays practical jokes. It's hilarious!
I'm trying to teach her to say "That's it. You're going to jail." in instances where she's misbehaving so badly she earns a "time-out" in her cage (rare, but it happens). She doesn't seem to like the phrase, though, as she's never yet repeated it (gee, I wonder why?)!
I never, ever thought I'd be a "bird person," but they are the most amazing animals!!
Yes, she talks (ALLLL the time, just not in front of strangers much), and she often uses words/phrases in their correct context [e.g. saying "Uh oh" when I dropped the keys, saying "Goodbye" when my date comes to pick me up or when I take my car keys and tote bag out the door (she never says it if I'm just running the trash out or going to the mailbox), making the "gulping" sound when she wants some of whatever I'm drinking, and asking me "Do you want a bath?" when she's the one who wants one!]
One of the funniest things she does is make loud noises that Cueball does (below), then either quickly says, "Cueball, quit that" or waits for me to fuss at him, then laughs to herself at getting him in trouble (and she laughs in "my" voice!). She actually plays practical jokes. It's hilarious!
I'm trying to teach her to say "That's it. You're going to jail." in instances where she's misbehaving so badly she earns a "time-out" in her cage (rare, but it happens). She doesn't seem to like the phrase, though, as she's never yet repeated it (gee, I wonder why?)!
Aren't they just the cutest couple?! Miranda and Cueball are my cockatiels (small, Australian parrots). I just adore them, as they always seem to have a smile on their faces, and there is no greater joy for them than each one sitting on one of my shoulders and "proofreading" as I write.
Miranda is named for the Sex and the City character my dating life most resembled at the time (no comments from the Peanut Gallery!), and once I got used to having her, I daydreamed of getting 3 more females and naming each one for a different character on the show.
So about six months later, when I found the bird who would become Cueball, I was all ready to add my "Charlotte." Then the bloodwork came back: Male. Whoops.
So then I was going to name him Steve (Miranda's long-standing whipping boy), only that name didn't fit his behaviors.
See, Cueball was never allowed to properly fledge (take that first series of successful flights). Even if you're going to trim their wings, you still need to let your birds learn how to fly first. It gives them body control and confidence.
Since Cueball wasn't given that chance, he's clumsy in flight and tends to "bounce" his landings. Given his gorgeous white coloring, there was only one name that fit!
Miranda is named for the Sex and the City character my dating life most resembled at the time (no comments from the Peanut Gallery!), and once I got used to having her, I daydreamed of getting 3 more females and naming each one for a different character on the show.
So about six months later, when I found the bird who would become Cueball, I was all ready to add my "Charlotte." Then the bloodwork came back: Male. Whoops.
So then I was going to name him Steve (Miranda's long-standing whipping boy), only that name didn't fit his behaviors.
See, Cueball was never allowed to properly fledge (take that first series of successful flights). Even if you're going to trim their wings, you still need to let your birds learn how to fly first. It gives them body control and confidence.
Since Cueball wasn't given that chance, he's clumsy in flight and tends to "bounce" his landings. Given his gorgeous white coloring, there was only one name that fit!
