A) How many pets (all kinds included) have you had in your lifetime?
- Strictly mine, or family pets, too? "My" pets have only been a fish, bunny, a hamster and two rats. I consider family pets to be "mine," though.. So that's five cats, three dogs, two rats, two hamsters, some fish, two birds (they only stayed for a day), and two rabbits. I'd say I've had a total of maybe twenty pets or so.
B) Did most of them have to be put down, or did some die naturally?
- Few of them died in our ownership. One dog was rehomed when I was young with a woman who had the time and resources for the poor hyper thing. The two hamsters died naturally of old age. The rabbits and birds were rehomed to appropriate homes -- the rabbits when we moved when I was young, and the birds ("rescued" from a yard sale) to a friend's bird-savvy friend. Three of the cats went to live with my cat-loving grandparents when I was young. We still have two cats, two rats and two dogs, most of whom are relatively recent additions.
So.. any who did die, died naturally. They were not euthanized. OH, dear, I just remembered another rat I had. I adopted two brothers last year, one of them died within the week due to a severe respiratory infection, despite the antibiotics. That's twenty-one pets, and all natural deaths.
C) If you've had many, do you have any favorites?
- One cat, Beziman, is one of my favorites. He's such a cute brat, I love him. He has so much personality, he's mischievous, dignified, goofy, hyper, lazy, needy and independent all in one. I'm also quite fond of my two little rats, Wolverine and Mercutio, because they're just cute little goobers. I do prefer Mercutio over Wolverine, though, because he's more of a human-oriented little squish. Wolverine's more independent. And, when the dogs are sleepy and well-behaved, them, too. ;-)
D) I read often, so do you have any good book recommendations about relationships with animals (Have read "Marley and Me," and "A Dog Year" -- both of which I have enjoyed very much)
- "Old Yeller." It's a classic.
The Norton cat trilogy by Peter Gethers. The first is called "The Cat Who Went to Paris." It could be slightly boring at times, but enjoyable.
Cleveland Amory's "Compleat Cat." It was very sweet.
"Rescuing Sprite" by Mark R. Levin. Sweet, short book.
E) Do you get along better with animals than you do humans?
- Sometimes. I'd get along better with my best friend when she's in a good mood than with my puppy when he's hyper and destructive. I'd get along better with my dog when he's relaxed than with my family.