Do we choose our pets, or do they choose us?

I have been thinking about my animals and how they came to be in my life. We as humans tend to think we are superior beings. We are confident, sometimes arrogant, about our position in the evolutionary chain. Well, I'm beginning to think that we aren't so smart. That we aren't as superior as we think we are. I am beginning to think my animals are sometimes smarter than I am.
My female cat Grace absolutely without a doubt chose me. She appeared on my doorstep one cold afternoon in December several years ago. I wasn't sure if she was a stray, but judging from her good condition I tended to doubt it. So I thought she was just outside for the day while her owners were at work, and I spent a few minutes scratching her head and went back inside. Later that evening there she was again, causing a scene on my doorstep. Again I scratched a bit, and this time gave her a bit of food. Well, that was it. At this point it was about 12 degrees out, and she wasn't going anywhere. I tried to go back in and let her be, but she wasn't having any part of it, meowing and sounding quite pitiful actually. So I did it... I let her in.
Well, my 85 pound hound mix was NOT pleased. The cat however, didn't care, wasn't phased, and actually caused him to retreat to the bathroom in apprehension. Then she made herself comfortable on my couch and never left. Oh at the time I said "Just for the night, its cold." And stuck to it, letting her out in the morning. When I got home from work, of course, there she was again, waiting to be let in, fed, and catered to. And I did. I still do.
She is Grace, Queen of the Universe. At least Queen of Her Universe. Master of all others, whether cat, dog, or human. She is a most loving and sweet Queen, but a Queen nonetheless, demanding, in her own subtle way, that she gets the best spot on the bed, whichever bed she chooses; that she sleeps the afternoon away on the computer chair, no matter who might want to use the computer - after all, that is what the six dining chairs are for, right? ; that you turn the water on for her in the bathtub so she can drink out of the faucet... until she decides she prefers the vanity sink... no... bathtub again - just leave both on I will let you know when I am finished.

Whoever coined the phrase dumb beast is a fool. This cat is a genius. And I adore her.

Welcome to Happy Tails Pet Chat!

Hi, my name is Melanie, and I own/operate Happy Tails Animal Care in Millbrook, NY. I focus on pet sitting for dogs/cats/housepets, and private horse care at your home/farm. I am a lifelong animal lover and owner who decided, at 34 and after working in marketing for 10+ years, to give it all up and move to the middle of nowhere to work with animals - mainly horses. Working with horses is great, but its a tough job - physical, long hours, low pay, work weekends, holidays, nights if there are sick horses.... you get the picture. I didn't see much in the way of job security or advancement potential! So I went back to graphic design. Then I remembered why I left. Then I went back to horses. Then I remembered why I left LOL. Then I went to school to get my Veterinary Technology degree. Then I decided I couldn't live on the pay. Then I went back to graphic design. Then I hated it. Then I got a bartending job (my lifelong fallback occupation!!). Then I missed working with horses (sort of, mucking stalls still blows).

See a pattern here?

I thought about how I could incorporate my education and experience and not have to work as a slave for someone else... pet sitting? I had already done some private horse care for friends and others locally. I thought it might be worth a shot. So I got all gung ho and made my self a website, business cards and postcards. I did all the Googling and Yahooing and site listing I could figure. And waited. I got a few clients, and liked it. Got a couple horse clients, and loved it. So now a little over a year later, I'm still Googling and Yahooing and trying to market my business and build a client base. I'm not sitting full time. I'm still bartending. But thats fine because I enjoy it, and it keeps my days free to blog. ;-D

So this is a new venture for me, I hope you will join me in it! I hope to talk about animals. What are your passions regarding your pets? What have you done to improve the lives, health, wellbeing of your animals? Are you holistic? Organic? Raw diet? Natural horsekeeping? Barefoot hoofcare? I welcome all comments and if you have something you are interested in talking about, lets talk about it!

BTW, I my own pets include 2 DSH cats, a Rat Terrier, and a Morgan horse. I have the best animals in the world. I have a passion for my animals, and keeping them healthy and happy. Lets see where it leads me this time!

Cheers!
Melanie