Obsess Much?

As you all know, I am utterly and completely obsessed with animals. All animals. I love every living creature. Almost every one of them, even snakes. The only creatures I don't care for? Spiders, mosquitoes, and ticks.

My obsession extends far beyond 'normal' when it comes to my dogs and cats. We (both Aaron and I are crazy about our animals) spend inordinate amounts of time with them; walking, grooming, having conversations with, and giving lovies to them. We also spend inordinate amounts of money on them. Even my family understands my obsession because they buy them gifts at Christmas and call on their birthdays. It's nuts. My brother probably spent more on my dogs this year than he did on me- he bought a bag of $13 treats for them a couple of months ago, among many other things!

I think about them all day, can't wait to get home to see them, and have been considering training them as therapy dogs so they can come to work with me. They have clothes for every season and life jackets for when they go kayaking with me. They love the outdoors and aren't typical chihuahuas- they would never sit in a doggy purse (I've tried.) They think they are big dogs and love to hike, but when it's time to snuggle, I have two very needy mama's boys.

The boys (and the sexy cat) sleep with us every night. They have free access to the bed, via the doggy stairs we bought for them. They have two sets of stairs; one in the bedroom and one in the living room. I don't want to put them out by making them jump up and down from the couch/bed.

The other night the following conversation took place.

A: OMG, I am so tired of sleeping like a pretzel.

J: Why are you?

A: Because Manny sleeps horizontally and I try to hold him while still spooning you and Rocko is between my legs. (Bing ALWAYS sleeps with Mama.)

J: Well move them!

A: I can't. (said shyly)

J: Why not?

A: Because Manny cuddles up to me and looks into my eyes. I can't stand it, he is too cute to move. I feel too bad.

J: So pretzel it is?

A: (sigh) Yeah.

Last weekend Aaron and I were laying around the house, playing on the computer, just vegging out when we decided it was time to give the boys a bath. They get one every month, but they were especially stinky because as the weather is improving they have been going on longer walks, splashing around in the mud!

As you can see, it was about noon- I hadn't even showered yet! (BTW- this is usually what happens if I try to blog anywhere but at the kitchen table.)

Manny's face when Daddy said he was getting a bath! Pure terror!

Manny is really good about taking a bath. He is reluctant at first, but likes being scrubbed and cuddled. He loves when I use the sprayer with warm water to rinse him.

Shredda had to climb up on the counter to witness the whole thing. She was gloating!

Mama washes the boys and then Daddy gets to be the hero, comforting and warming them.

Rocko spying on everything. He went through this at the salon a few days earlier.

There is a Vet Tech at the hospital I bring B&M to. We actually bring all our animals there, (except my bird who I bring to a specialist) and they love every one of our pets. We never leave there empty handed, as they special order things for the boys (at no cost to me- they bought us the robes!) They call themselves "Auntie" and spoil the pups rotten! One of the vets there gave me his home phone number because I have such OCD when it comes to my guys... I will call for the most ridiculous reasons (Bing blinked twice in a row, does he have something in his eye? I need to bring him down!) I even went so far as to bring Bing down and sat with him for a good part of the day while they gave him fluids via I.V (but he was in fact dehydrated.) And shamelessly, I took part of Tuesday off to spend the morning with them because it was so beautiful out. I know, it's nuts!

Bing, on the other hand, HATES to get a bath. He will literally run and hide. Here, Aaron is trying to calm him down, because he has worked himself into a tither, whining and dry heaving all over the house. This is the only picture we took of Bing, because it took both of us to bathe him.

Rocko- AKA The Sexy Cat's new haircut. He loves to sleep on the TV in our bedroom. Most nights we are forced to watch TV with his tail dangling over the screen.

Seriously people. We need to back away from our pets. We are crazy. I rue the day we have children!