Garfield and Odie

I talk about my daughter Vivian quite a bit. I mention my husband Kirk from time to time. Now is my chance to properly introduce the other quirky characters in my life - my pets. I have a red-headed stepson cat named Sam. And I have the dumbest Sheltie on the planet named Bono.

Often I refer to them as Garfield and Odie though. Why? Because our cat Sam is cunning, fat, lazy and annoying just like the character Garfield. And Bono.... poor Bono. He's so stupid yet loveable. His tongue is always hanging out and he annoys the cat to no end. So he's our Odie.

Actually having a pet is a great trial-run before you decide to have a baby. I highly recommend it! When I had that first itch of becoming pregnant, I decided to channel those thoughts into getting a dog instead. I took the easy way out though and chose one that was potty-trained at five months old. I figured that if I remembered to feed it, walk it and let it outside to do its business, then evenutally I would be responsible enough to take care of a human being. (The jury is still out on that though....)

I never had pets growing up. My mom didn't want them in the house. So I knew as an adult, I wanted to have pets. And I wanted our daughter Vivian to grow up loving animals. Yes, they can be quite annoying but I still adore having them around.

Just recently on my business trip, I missed having Bono at my feet and I missed him being my vacuum cleaner every time that Vivian dropped food on the floor. I even missed the cat sleeping with me. Sam sleeps at the foot of the bed each night. I have tried over and over again to kick him off. But he just continues to come back. That cat has persistence, I tell you!

Sammy cat actually came with my husband. I didn't have much choice in the matter. Yes, it was kind of strange to find a bachelor that owned a cat, instead of a dog. But as Kirk is quick to point out, "Cats are perfect for single men in their 20's. You can stay out all night partying and not worry about them chewing on your furniture, peeing on the carpet, or walking them when you are staggering drunk at 3 a.m." Excellent points darling! I knew there was a reason I picked you and fell in love with you.

Sam is our survivor. Think "Eye of the Tiger" and Rocky strength. He has made it through Hurricane Katrina alone in our house for one week until we could rescue him. He made it through our move to Ohio and then our move back south to Alabama. He just won't quit, even when we wish he would. Sound awful? I know. But the problem is that Kirk's mom is allergic to him. Some of our best friends are allergic to him too. So we feel bad that our closest family members and pals have to drug themselves with Benadryl every time they visit. He's oven ten years old though so we're just stuck with him and he's stuck with us. For better or worse, right?

Bono, our dog that runs into walls and eats other dog's poop, was hand-selected by me. Yes, I'm a proud mama of this handsome, dumb fella. My old neighbor next to my parents' house owned a Sheltie, a miniature Lassie dog and I fell in love with that breed when I was a teenager. Ever since then, I knew I'd own a Sheltie someday. I thought all Shelties were clever creatures but my poor Bono just didn't gain the smart gene.

I found him through a local breeder in Ohio after the local rescue shelter didn't return my phone calls. He had a brother named Billie (perhaps he was the intelligent one?) I don't remember what Bono's given name was. It started with a "B" though. Kirk and I are huge U2 fans so we thought we'd name our dog after one of the coolest people on earth. We hoped that our puppy would gain an ounce of that rock star essence. We're still waiting though.... Our Bono is gorgeous with his black and white mane but he's more like Mr. Magoo then Mr. Cool Shades lead singer.

Your pets become part of the family though. They have gotten me through some lonely times in my life. Sammy cat nestled against me for the entire first two months after we moved to Ohio and he warmed me through a very cold winter without my family. Bono encouraged me to go outdoors, walk through parks and helped affirm my love for nature. He led me to other sweet dog owners who shared stories of their equally dense canines. I owe these animals both tremendously.

I may complain about them but I truly love them. They are my family, my crazy, colorful family.