climacteric

Introductions: Linus

This is Linus, aka Baby. She is our oldest pet. We got her in 1999 from the Humane Society. She was my first kitten. We had a cat named Toby who was a tabby, but I wanted another one. We were living in an upstairs flat at the time and were only allowed to have one cat. I figured that we could get another cat and the landlady (who lived in the lower flat) would never know... as long as it was a tabby, so if it jumped in the window, both cats would look the same.
So, we went to the HS and found the cutest kitten ever! She was so sweet and soft and purry.
When she was a kitten she would relentlessly lick noses. When a nose was in reach, she would lick it. So, in bed, Lisa often had to cover her face with the blanket so she could sleep. Baby would still find the way under the covers to lick. What is it with the pets bugging Lisa by licking? Must be karma... (not the dog).
So, why is Baby's name also Linus? When we got her, we thought she was a boy... that's what the HS told us anyway. So, we called her/him Linus after our favorite Peanut. When we got her first check-up, the vet told us that, actually, Linus was a girl. We didn't mind... and didn't really see any reason to change her name at that point. The reason it changed to "baby".... We thought we could fool the landlady further by using a nickname with Linus. We figured she might think we were calling Toby our "baby", plus her huge rottweiler was named Baby too.... I don't think she was ever fooled. But we never got in trouble... so that's her story! She is our most lappiest cat and we love her.

Introductions: Karma

This is Karma.
She's our youngest dog. A rescue from the Humane Society, she has certain "quirks" we've grown to love and hate.
The reason I chose this picture of her is: if you know her for very long, or even very short, this will be the POV you most often see her from.
As we once saw on a plaque somewhere and have used unmercilessly ever since: "Beware: our dog can't hold her licker".
She means well. We got her when she was a year old already. Yearning to skip the sleepless nights and constant cleanups of puppyhood, we thought we'd try a young adult instead.
When I went to the HS, I looked around... I wasn't going to bring one home if the perfect one wasn't there. Who was I kidding? I have a huge, mushy, soft spot in my heart for animals. Ones in the pound just get to me. I want to save them all. BUT! I knew I couldn't save them all, and I already had Kai at home (who you'll meet later) so I knew I had to pick "the right one".
I came upon a quiet little black dog. No barking, no jumping at the cage when I walked by. A perfect angel. I went up to the cage, said hello and instantly started bonding. I walked away though... I had to see them ALL first.
Well, no more spoke to me like the little black one. So, I went back to the cage... same sweet quiet dog. I asked an attendant to bring her to a meeting/visiting room so I could hang out with her. She was cute and funny, charming and full of energy...but not overwhelming.
SO, I called Lisa and said, "ummm... I think I found a playmate for Kai, want to bring Kai to meet her after work?" She was, of course, skeptical. But yes, she would.
Everything went well with the meeting, we looked on track so decided to adopt her.
We found out she'd been returned TWICE after someone adopted her... interesting. I couldn't think of very many reasons I'd return a dog, but I fall hard and fast.
We got her home, and I spent the first night crying, "We'll never have the special times with just Kai again.....!"
Karma was immediately overbearing. She was bossy and barked when she wanted attention. She licked and licked.
She had obviously been putting on a well practiced act when I saw her in the kennel!
But, with training, and letting her know I was alpha bitch in OUR house... she's turned into quite a cool dog.
She's a clown, a constant source of amusement. She still licks way too much... and drives Lisa CRAZY by doing it.
But we love her.