The Dog Blog (cats welcome)

More stuff arriving every day...where will we put it all?

2010-05-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the floor is supposedly done and can be walked on...we'll see about that tomorrow. There is still a 15-day "curing" process, but as long as I don't drag anything heavy across it, they say, it will be fine. Trust me, this 5 1/2 month prego lady will be doing no such thing!

In the meantime, I decided it would be best to switch over from a sole proprietorship to an LLC (limited liability company...remember that for a future trivia question!). It will help to protect me and my business, on top of my actual business insurance. Of course, just as my bank was establishing a line of credit for me, changing to an LLC changes their paperwork. A learning experience for me, a hassle for them (sorry Lois!). I have a meeting with my insurance agent tomorrow, so I should have that paperwork in hand.

Can you imagine? Each thing hinges on the next. After the insurance, I get the key. After I get the key, I have to call the water folks and the electric folks and jump through their hoops. Then, I contact the cable company to come and set me up with internet and phone.

Oh, and did I mention I get to paint? I hope that happens early this week. The landlord has approved a color and as soon as the walls are painted, they will come and seal my work. Then...maybe...I can move my stuff in. WHEW! My dog food company, Tuffy's, which makes NutriSource, Pure Vita and Natural Planet Organics, has kindly offered to send me some heavy duty racks to hold their product, and I will GLADLY take them, but of course, my rep won't return my calls...I seriously hope he's on vacation and back tomorrow.

Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait. I'm not the most patient of people, but I am learning how to play the game. In the meantime, as we step over boxes of dog food and treats, I dream of the day I can hang the "open" sign on the door and get this party started! I will have to say, the household pets have been least affected by the chaos. Check out this picture of my husband's "other woman," Nala, who seems wholly unfazed by everything in the house. In fact, she will tear open any bag of dog food for fun. Call her our Quality Control Expert!

No news is good news?

2010-05-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

So, I've been hoping to write almost every day about my new business...the highs, the lows, actually getting to move in...but, it seems that's the delay. My landlords graciously allowed me to pick the floor color of the new floor they will be installing for me, but it has not yet been installed. In fact, I am supposed to gain possession of the space May 15, but the floor takes 15 days to "cure" and they were supposed to begin today...(disgruntled sigh)...

In the meantime, our house and my SUV is full to the rim with pet supplies. I began a full inventory of all the items and as I boxed them up, I would move them into the living room. Coupled with another trip to pick up dog food in St. Louis, we officially look like a future episode of Hoarders.

I'm handling it pretty well. I'm anxious. I'm excited. I'm overwhelmed. I'm thrilled. I'm ready to get this party started. Seriously. The landlord says the floor should be dry within 48 hours and can be walked on, but I'm afraid to put heavy shelving on top of something that takes 15 days to set up. The landlord has also said I can paint the walls, so maybe I can at least get in there and paint and that will appease me in some way.

So, unless some major miracle emerges, my June 1 opening has been delayed by a week or even two. Such is the world of business. Such is life. I just know this is going to be the greatest experience of my life up to the point...I'm ready!

I've been trying to keep up with adding the new goodies I've gotten in on the website. You can see all the new stuff there. I'll also be updating a bit more on my BPP Facebook page so fans can get a better idea of the exact opening day.

It has begun!

2010-04-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

I regret not posting anything any sooner, but lots of super-crazy stuff has been happening around this place! BIG NEWS! We just announced to the world that we are expecting a baby in September! Then came the realization that I won't be able to work my physical full-time job late into the pregnancy. So, the store seemed like a natural next step (I think!).

Then, I get word that my beloved 112-year old great grandmother passed away the day after the home show...she was the oldest documented person in Missouri and quite a woman...she will be sorely missed by many.

Time has truly gotten away from me. I can't believe Easter has come and gone. With that came the final decision to take the plunge and sign the lease. Of course, the day before I go to sign the lease, I find another place that's bigger and offers me more options on design...I'm torn. But, the decision gets made for me. The bigger place has MICE! And, the landlord won't even consider letting me have a store cat, so that takes me back to the original place...and the papers were signed last Thrusday! WOO HOO! Step one has been taken...there is no turning back now!

I'm excited, I'm scared, I'm overwhelmed, and I'm happy we get our house back...having pet supplies literally shoved in every nook and cranny of our house has taken its toll on us and on the cats that live with us. Don't get me wrong...they have loved having boxes stacked high...oh the places they can go...but we want our space back. With the pet supplies in a new store, we actually have room for a baby! BONUS!

So, now it begins. I have to get shelving and finish ordering supplies. I have to make decisions on what other brands of food to bring in and if I have enough of the things I need to make the store look good. We got tons of great response at the home show, so I'm counting on all those folks to be customers.

What's next? I get to wait. The landlords are installing a new floor...a finished concrete floor and I get to help choose the color. I'm hoping for a new coat of paint on the walls and away we go!

Keep an eye out for new posts...there will be lots for me to tell you all and lots of new stuff that I add to the store. I'd love opinions on what you like and what you think others would like. That's the fun of a blog. I will have a contest or two along the way as well...as a thank you to all who help me out...I'm going to need all the help I can get!

In the meantime, check out a before pic of the new place. Then imagine it with filled with great, healthy stuff for your pets!

A day late, but someone is $15 richer!

2010-03-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

So, did you think I had forgotten about the drawing? I hope not. Please understand that there are lots of things swirling around here at the Busch-Heisserer house. The cats literally own the place. So do many large bags of dog food. When those two entities collide, it can be chaos...just ask the grey calico pictured in other parts of this blog. She loves a good, untouched bag of dog food. She rips right into it! If it weren't for that sweet-thing Nala, I'd never have to discount a bag of food!

So, I got some great new followers because of my contest...THANK YOU! I hope I can continue to inform and entertain. For those of you looking to open your own business, I hope I don't scare you off from that undertaking. It's like having a kid or riding a rollercoaster...it's scary and exciting all at the same time.

On to the contest...I had to come up with a way to pick a winner fairly. How in the world did I do it? I let the cats do it! I took all my followers names and put them on pieces of paper, folded them up, and put them in the middle of the floor. Then, when one of our cats, Little Man (aka Duder)...pictured above, was feeling a bit like a round of play, I pointed the laser pointer on the pile of papers and let him have his fun. After a few minutes of play, the paper that made it the furthest out of the pile was deemed the winner. Very scientific, I know, but I had to figure out some way to choose and choose fairly.

I am so appreciative of all the new additions to my followers and continue to watch for more posts from me. I'm one step closer to opening my own physical store here in my town, so that will prove entertaining for some, frightening for me, but it's time. As one of my friends said, "Do you think about it all the time?" "Oh yes, " I said. Then she said, "DO IT!"

Okay, you've listened to me, but I know what you really want to know is who the winner is! Drum roll please......SANDYANDCOSMO! Yes, the Duder has chosen. I will be in contact with you for your address so I can send the gift certificate. For those of you, my faithful followers, all is not lost. You all can have free shipping off your next purchase! Yippee! I accept PayPal only right now...gotta get that credit card thing set up, so if you'd like to order, put something in the comments section about how you read this on the blog and I'll refund the shipping price back to you. If you prefer to call me to order, I can just send you a PP request minus the shipping cost.

COOL! And thanks!

I am still learning about dog food

2010-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

I am still learning about dog food. Yes, I was a dog food virgin...I knew very little about dog nutrition and all that technical stuff. When the dog food recall of 2007 hit, I wasn't as shocked as I should have been, based on what I didn't know. What I did know is that even our food isn't as safe as it used to be. Too bad anyone (anything) had to die because of unsafe practices by OTHER PEOPLE!

I am still learning about dog food. There are so many products on the market today. How does the average consumer buy something good for his/her dog? The first thing to learn is that all dog foods are not the same. Just because it has a "pretty" name doesn't mean it's at all healthy for your dog. One of the most popular major chain-store dog foods with the beautiful packaging and healthy-sounding name is actually one of the worst foods on the market. I would never have known if I had not read a label.

I am still learning about dog food. Dogs are classified as herbivores...they eat meat and grasses. (Cats = carnivores...that's an easy one.) But, dogs' systems don't always like corn, wheat, or soy. They can have allergic reactions to these ingredients. Many companies put these ingredients in their dog foods as filler...it's a way to give the consumer more "bang for the buck." One of the biggest culprits is a well-respected "prescription" dog food. They put these fillers in their food and then a trusted pet professional (i.e. vet) sells the food. Then the dog has an allergic reaction and the dog has to go back to said professional for treatment. Thus, the vicious cycle begins. Don't get the wrong, those "trusted professionals" aren't in the scheme directly, but it helps that said company donates a lot of money to certain schools...

I am still learning about dog food. Can I tell you if kibble is better than canned, raw better than cooked? At this point, I can suggest what I know and go on. If a dog has an allergy, but it isn't known to what, we narrow focus and take out foods that may cause the allergy and see what happens. I care about what we put into our animals, just as I care what we put into our own bodies. I can only imagine what kind of damage we may be doing...to us and to our pets.

I'm preparing to get certified in pet nutrition. I hope it helps. I'm actually looking forward to it. I want to know so I can pass that information along to customers, friends, and family...yes, even an old-school family of dog showers who only knew that they needed a high-protein dog food. We've come a long way, baby.

These cats need warm weather and sunshine!

2010-02-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

Our two youngest cats, Nala and Little Man, are siblings and partners in crime. We took them in (or rather they came to us) when the neighbors brought the two kittens home for their kids and then promptly turned them outside to fend for themselves. Little Man made his appearance to us first. He just sauntered into our yard and said "hello." Pretty soon, he was in the house, hanging with the indoor cats, who, by now are used to new faces. He just made himself at home.

Little Man even taught us how to let him outside. Yes, he taught us. We've always had a string of jingle bells hanging from our door...guess it goes back to my years of living alone and having those bells there in case anyone would try to break in. Well, the first day Little Man (also affectionately known as Duder) strolled through the house, he walked up to the door and sat down. I watched him look up at the door knob, think for a minute, then stand on his hind legs and hit those bells with a front paw. It was all very deliberate. I thought it was a fluke, but I said, "Do you want to go out?" in this silly voice we often use to talk to animals and I opened the door. He stepped right out.

The next time he came in, my husband was witness to the same thing...I said to him, "Did you see that?" He did that yesterday too! We were still skeptical. In the meantime, I was working outside one day and I saw a dark body crouched in the neighbor's yard, watching my every move. I was pretty sure this was the sister I had heard about from the neighbor-kid, who had come by a couple times to talk to us and he told us his parents got cats for him and his sister...a boy for her and a girl for him. They called them Mouser and Emily.

I continued to work, but I kept my eye on "Emily." After a couple more days of Little Man coming around, she finally approached the house and pretty soon, she was taking up residence here as well. Immediately, I knew we had to take care of some important business before something got out of control. First, we had Duder neutered...always a good start. Soon after, Nala was spayed and officially they became out cats.

Now back to this jingling of the bells. Not only did Little Man teach us about the bells, he taught his sister as well. Both of them ring the bells...A LOT! It's been cold, snowy, nasty, and yucky, and all these youngins want to do is hunt mice.

It begins around 5 a.m...just after my husband leaves for work. My alarm is set for 6 a.m., but I'm always up before that, thanks to our cats. It can be pretty annoying, but I can't help but think about how Duder trained us well.

What a great book! What a great cause!

2010-02-10T19:08:00.001-08:00

I was contacted recently by Joanne Wannan, author of a fabulous new book called "New Lives: Stories of rescued Dogs Helping, Healing and Giving Hope." The book is about 18 awesome and amazing dogs who were rescues from high-kill shelters, abusive situations, or the streets, and are now working in animal therapy and as service dogs.

Wannan is having a contest to inspire and encourage animal lovers everywhere. She has launched the contest on her blog http://www.inspiringrescuestories.com/get-signed-up/. The contest offers some huge incentives for people to create a short video explaining their pet adoption or rescue story. She has over $1,000 in prizes, including a $25 gift certificate from Busch Pet Products!

In addition to all the great things you can win, Wannan is also donating 15% of the profits of her book sales through the end of March 2010 to the shelter or organization the winner chooses!

Do something good and get something good! Always a GOOD thing!

Hello new friends!

2010-02-02T12:41:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my new friends! Thanks for joining in on this true experiment in my life...owning and running a pet business. I watched my parents do it for many years (and they still are)...they own a boarding kennel. A very nice boarding kennel that I would like to own someday. In the meantime, I'm "settling" for my online pet supply store. I say settling, but it's been a crazy ride and I don't want to get off! I love finding new products that I go Ga Ga over and when my customers do too, then I'm on the right track!

I am learning new things each and every day. I will say this to anyone who decides to jump into this world as I have...TRUST YOUR GUT! Don't second guess yourself. You know your goal and you know how to achieve it. It takes time and patience (of which I have zip, zilch, zippo), but just when I am down, something happens to bring me back up again! Such is the life of a small business owner.

I love what I do and I hope it shows in my site, my posts, and my life. I wouldn't have traded all the money in the world for my upbringing. Dogs (and all pets) bring such happiness and enrichment to our lives...why would you eve want to be without a pet? The photo above is my parents house dog, Wendy. She is the true last of their line of Busch Beagles that they bred, raised and showed for 40+ years. She's 14, losing her hearing, her rear is weak, and she's become bossy, but we all still love her! The top picture was taken last fall. The bottom photo was taken several years (and several couches) ago. I think she knew she was the boss then too...can you tell?

Again, welcome to The Dog Blog (cats welcome) blog...I hope you will enjoy your visit!

Let's try a FREEBIE and see what happens!

2010-02-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

I've struggled with finding ways to promote my business and get more followers on this blog. I'm certainly not as consistent as I'd like to be, but with time comes experience, right?

I did just apply for a grant through Intuit's Love A Local Business program...cross your fingers! My fans and friends really stepped up to the plate for me. They said some nice things and I don't want to let them down!

If you haven't checked out the great items I have on my website, you simply must. I have so many unusual and cool things for pets. It amazes me on a daily basis the creativity and originality of designers who have decided they can do better. The quality is superb, the workmanship amazing...made in the USA at it's best!

So, to get you folks to see what all the fuss is about, I'm giving away a $15 gift certificate to get you started! Look around the site, see what you like. Email me with questions! That's all it's all about! I think you will see that I've found some fantastic items that you never knew existed! So much fun!

IT'S SO EASY TO ENTER! Become a follower of my blog before February 28, 2010...that's it! Winner will be chosen from followers list on March 1, 2010. Winner will be announced on this blog that evening. SO EASY!

HURRY! Don't miss out on getting your pooch or kitty some cool stuff from Busch Pet Products!

Happy and Prosperous New Year...here we come!

2010-01-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

I have really neglected this blog...I can only blame myself and the rich, fruitful holiday season we had here at home. It was busy, crazy, lovely and fantastic and now on to conquer 2010! I can only see bigger and better things on the horizon. Not only are my husband and I looking to start a family and build a house, I can confidently say the Busch Pet Products business is growing and evolving...both in the petsitting and products areas.

First, we picked up a line of dry dog food. I was hesitant at first. I knew some, but not much, when it came to kibble. I did know certain brands of dog food were NOT good (I won't point fingers or name names), but finding a food to fit my area and demographic seemed like a monumental task.

Lucky for me, I've made some fabulous friends and contacts during my time on the road in St. Louis selling Miss Autumn's Barkery Organics dog food. Two of my favorite stores, Muddpuppies in O'Fallon and Pets in the City in Soulard, have been true mentors for me! They make me want my own physical store NOW! They helped me in deciphering what's out there and what my customers may like. I finally settled on the NutriSource company. They make NutriSource, Pure Vita, and Natural Planet Organics. I like their company (Minnesota, one plant, all ingredients made in USA) and their products (three levels, three price points, lots of flavors). Check them out here http://www.nutrisourcedogfood.com. As I find more customers who are looking for the products in my area (apparently I am the ONLY one in southeast Missouri who carries the company's products), I am building a solid customer base.

I probably won't add much more dry food until I get a physical store. In the meantime, I am working to add more local customers who have chosen to feed NutriSource and Pure Vita, as well as Natural Planet Organics. I wouldn't be selling the products if I didn't like the company!

Survived Turkey Day and on to Christmas!

2009-12-02T04:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, after three petsitting jobs in a neighboring town and three different stops at families' houses, we survived Thanksgiving. Lots of great food, great talk, and great times, but I was completely exhausted! I should have kept better track of how many miles I put on my car!

I wanted to stop on reflect on how far I've come over the past year and look ahead to 2010 and beyond. Just over a year ago, I was giddy with excitement over the opening of my website. I had no idea what to expect...would I get tons of orders? would I get no orders? The latter was more correct, but they have steadily been coming in and just when I get down about a lack thereof, I get an order! Someone must be listening to my prayers!

I've learned so much over the past year (and the one before that in planning this crazy adventure). I'm still learning and growing and I hope I'm serving my customers well. I recently may a foray into the world of wholesaling my own items. I wholesale a wet dog food made locally, so I had the experience there, but my own products are another story. I have begun small...my catnip pillows seemed reasonable enough. I took some to a friend's store in St. Louis and she bought some! Yippee! I also took some to our local natural foods store. She called yesterday and sold all of them! She also placed an order for 36 more! Get out the sewing machine! Woo hoo!

So, I have many blessings to be counted and I hope many more. As crazy and out-of-control as this adventure has been, I still love it and I hope I am doing some good for pets all over. Next time, I'll sit down and discuss how much I want an actual storefront...as if everyone doesn't already know that! Ha!

Finally, I did want to show off a new toy...the Humunga Stache. I can't stop from laughing over this! Check it out!

Print catalog

2009-11-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

So, after my ad ran in Star Magazine, I got several requests for a print catalog. Frankly, I hadn't considered a print catalog since I first decided to open the website. So...after getting several phone calls and finding out that everyone does NOT have internet, I'm putting together a catalog.

Let me tell you, this is a lost art! In today's world of computers and the internet, I'm struggling to get this thing done. I don't lack the know-how, "talent" or the software, but I want to be sure that this catalog is as good as the website! No easy task! I do have most of the write-ups ready to go, now on to the photos and then...duh duh dum...the printing. That will cost me some dough. I'm hoping I can find a local place who will help. Staples will gladly charge me 49 cents for color copies, one-sided, and I found a local printing company that will charge 39 cents for the same. I even thought about finding an online printing company. I just want it to look good, but be reasonable on my shrinking pocketbook! *Isn't that the way of the world?

I'm cautiously optimistic about a catalog. I think it may be a good way to reach a different audience. I also thought about leaving a copy at each of the vet's offices here in town, in hopes of tapping into my local customers.

We shall see!

Frustrations and not enough hours in the day

2009-11-02T15:18:00.001-08:00

I have always been a person who wants something yesterday...that definitely holds true with my learning of how to use QuickBooks. I know, I know, "It's so easy!" they say, but I am having the darnedest time figuring the whole thing out. I'm sure I'll look back on all of it and think, "If I had only been patient..." but why should I be?

I also just joined the PIR...Pet Industry Retailers group. I was recommended to the group by Amy, who owns Pets in the City in STL (http://www.thecitypet.com). I think it will be a good thing for me. I can ask questions and learn from established business owners.

I've been trying so hard to cultivate my Facebook fans, but it seems that since FB changed a couple things around, the lemings have revolted. FB has a way of doing that every so often and the fans and followers and what not all think it is so horrible...so they form groups. I get it, I know, but I want my fans to stay with my page!

With the time change, I am hoping for some much needed time to work on the business. I was sick all last week with a nasty stomach bug and eve though mentally I was in pretty good shape, physically I had no energy to do all those things I want (and need) to do to keep my site in peoples' minds for the upcoming holiday season.

Definitely been a trying day. I'll take some deep breaths and see where that gets me. Until later!

Happy Anniversary BPP!

2009-10-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it has officially been a year since my website went live...I'm still learning so much every day! I flew into this whole thing blind as a bat, and I won't say I have complete sight yet, but the images are not as blurry as they once were.

I'm heading into my first full holiday season and I'm already behind. I think once I open a retail store and take over the content management of my website, I'll be better equipped to handle how quickly the seasons change in retail. The year went by so quickly...it didn't help that we got married this summer! *This is a good thing! We had a fabulous wedding on the beach and a great party with our family and friends when we returned, but it set me back a good couple months!

This website and my foray into the world of retail will be an ongoing learning experience for me I am quite sure. I began with lots of doggie clothes and now my focus is more on good quality food and supplies. Funny how that happens. I try to hand-select everything on my site. I look at it this way, if it isn't worthy of my animals having it, it isn't worthy of being on the site.

Enough of my mini-advertisement. I still see great things ahead for BPP and I'm glad I took the leap when I did. I should have done this years ago!

So much to do, so little time...at least it seems that way anymore

2009-10-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

It seems as though everytime I say, "Things should be settling down after X event," it just gets busier and busier! I shouldn't complain...the increased lack of time has come to me in the form of new petsitting jobs. It seems as though the flood gates have opened up and given me more work. I a thrilled to pieces that my name is getting out there, without the use of newspaper or television advertising. Yippee!

On a related note...I broke down and bought a new iMac. I only got the 20" screen, but it is gi-normous! I love it! This is the beginning of a new path for me...I just put the 2010 version of QuickBooks for Mac on hold, just in time to set up a formal inventory program...I know, I know...I really can't remember all the items I've stocked or sold since I opened.

That also reminds me...I've been in business for an ENTIRE YEAR an survived! That makes me think it's time to put out another newsletter...ack! I better get off of Blogger and on to Constant Contact! Until later!

2009-09-30T17:51:00.001-07:00

So, I seem to be in a much better state of mind than I was in my last blog, as I've had activity on the website and a couple of orders! I am not trying to base my happiness on the almightly dollar, but business does pay the bills!

My hubby and I stopped by the bank just yesterday to open a joint checking account for bills and such. We've been married now almost two whole months and things like that have to be taken care of...it's a long process to say the least. Anyway, we stopped off to say hello to the bank president and I got my courage up to ask for more money. Lo and behold he said yes! Again, happiness does not equal money, but it sure helps when you are at a standstill with your business! I now need to sit down and figure out how much of that green stuff I'm going to need...scary.

I've been stuck in the situation lately of running into crappy customer service. This just affirms the idea that I want to have the best customer service for my business. One problem I ran into was at the dry cleaners. They had my wedding dress for FIVE weeks before they called to tell me they didn't use the solution that had to be used to clean my particular dress! I was very unhappy about this, especially since I had called to check on it on several occasions AND had taken another item in! Seriously? I've been trying to get a hold of the owner to "discuss" this situation with him, but he has failed to return any of my calls...of course. What makes it even worse is that the dry cleaning business was originally started by my great-aunt and uncle and later sold when they retired. They built their entire business and reputation on customer service and this guy is pissing it away (pardon my French).

On a much lighter note, I went to the annual Bark in the Park event, held by our local humane society to raise funds (http://www.semopets.org). It was so much fun and they had a great turnout! I was thrilled to be a part of it and hopefully I got my name out there. Several people came up and told me how much they loved my parents kennel and how they would never take their dogs anywhere else...love to hear that kind of stuff! I gave out lots of free samples and tried to drum up business where I could. I wish we had more events like that in the area! A local bank is holding a similar event in a couple weeks...I hope I can make that one too!

Funky weather, funky attitude

2009-09-24T10:55:00.001-07:00

At least pictures of the beach always make me happy.

Well I'm sure if you've ever read a blog, you've read a blog about someone who's in a funk about something. Hello folks, this is another one! I won't linger on this topic for long...I just have not been feeling myself as of late...whether it be the fact that I was sick for a week with a sore throat, laryngitis, coughing, the whole bit, or the fact that I'm bummed over the lack of money for my little pet business...I don't know. On top of it all, it's been raining all day...not storming, just raining...and that only intensifies my mood.

I'm leaning towards a combination of the two. I want this business to take off soon! I really do think Cape is ready and I KNOW I am ready. There's a cute little storefront for rent downtown, I have the products, I'm set up with all my licenses, etc. I only need two things...a new computer with Quick Books on it and the rest of the capital to make it all happen!

I feel like I'm spinning my wheels right now and not going anywhere. I have a back bedroom full of merchandise and no one is buying. I don't know how much is the economy and how much is the fact that not everyone knows about the businss yet...that's TBA.

I need some major positive reinforcement right now and I'm not getting it from home or anywhere else. I guess I want someone to tell me it's gonna happen.

Something on my mind

2009-09-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

So, I've had this dilemma brewing in my brain for the last several weeks. Of course, it involves an animal...without a home at the time and I'm praying he has one now.

When we came home from our honeymoon a couple weeks back, there was a kitten running around our yard. Since the neighbor had moved, we knew it wasn't hers, and he was so tiny, well...you can figure out that within a couple days, we had him in the kitchen sink, bathing the fleas off him. Some of them looked as big as he was.

He was totally comfortable around us and liked the attention. He didn't mind the rest of our brood, either. In fact, he really just ignored them. He meowed at the door to go out and he knew when feeding time was. Overall, he was pretty well-adjusted. Chris and I discussed it and the answer was clear: we had to find him a good home. I knew he was a cutie and too hard to pass up, but I had to get on the ball with finding him a new home.

In the meantime, the neighbor that had moved had stopped by and we were talking and I mentioned the cat. She said the neighbors up the street gave him to someone down the street because they, too, were moving. Of course, the people who took the kitten just turned him loose to fend for himself...that's how we up with our other two "kittens." *Now they are two-year-olds with a great home, spayed and neutered. I assumed we would have this little ball of energy neutered and then hopefully place him in a good home.

Well, one Sunday, that all changed. Some new folks moved in up the street and they were walking around the neighborhood. It was a pleasant day for early September and we even had our windows open. I had the kitten in the house, but he was meowing at the door to go out, so I gave in. A minute or so later, Chris comes up to me and says, "Those people have that kitten." I shrugged it off because he is so friendly. But, he never came back after that.

Now...what am I supposed to think? I have to assume that they took him, but since he wasn't mine any more than he was anyone else's, I can't exactly walk up to them and say, "Can I have that cat back?" The one thing we do know is that he is no longer in the neighborhood. I guess someone from the family took him with them when they left. I would never dream of doing something like that without asking or checking around...ugh! The worst part is, I had found a home for the little guy and had a vet appointment already scheduled for him.

I guess I have to chalk this one up to "I'll never know" and go on. I hope they are good cat-loving people and I hope the little guy lucked out. He sure was a cutie and I do have to say I miss him a lot.

Greetings!

2009-09-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my newest adventure...a blog! I've tried blogging before, but I had always viewed them more as essays. So, I promise I'm not going to torture my readers with that kind of thing now! I going to strive, however, to inform and entertain pet lovers (and you non-pet folks out there) on all topics, but mostly about my first love, pets.

I love all animals...dogs, cats, horses, even the occasional guinea pig. I think our existence as humans on earth is better with pets in our lives. Animals have been known to keep people happier and healthier...I could have told you that years before researchers announced it to the world. All anyone had to do was ask!

Over the next days, weeks, months, maybe even years, I'll tell you more about my upbringing with animals...it was a bit unorthodox and a bit transitory, but I wouldn't have traded it for the world!

So, thanks for following my life's story and let the fun begin!

Enjoy!
Stacy