Awww.
Take some videos.

How many pets do you have?
and happy birthday to your dog!

I took a few videos and many pictures. My computer is filled up with pictures of Coco.

Babysitter -- Thanks, I'll pass on the message to Coco. :]

At the moment, I only have two turtles and my pug. I had a mouse earlier this month too... And I'm getting rats in the summer.

InkStainedHands: I've never heard the word "pug" used before to talk about a dog.

lol, why would you want a mouse and rats? aren't those the kinds of rodents that people are trying to get rid of?

I heard that falcons are making habitats on top of Manhattan sky scrapers, cause that's where they find rats-their food.

Pet shops sell rats? how much do they cost?

duuuuuude! Again?!
Pug is a breed, same as a Toy Poodle.

I also love rodents. Rats are cute and are one of the smartest animals, also very social.

Moshe: again what? and wow you answered fast!

(I decided to heed the psak about replying, so I'm trying to reply to e-mails and comments and clean my inbox out)

again what? you told me about pugs before?

and ahh I see, so its not a synonym then.

I'll have to take your word on that.

Again you thought a dog breed was something else. Remember when either I or someone else told you to start from Toy Poodles and you thought we meant a toy poodle instead of a Toy Poodle.

Babysitter -- People are trying to get rid of wild rodents. (Actually, my mouse was wild. We caught it using a humane trap and kept it as a pet. Cute little creature.) The rats I'm getting are fancy domesticated rats though.

I am planning on getting the rats from a reputable breeder, actually. They're around $20 each.

I absolutely adore rats. Not only are they cute, smart, and social -- they're cuddly too!

Moshe: right right now I remember!

Ink Stained Hands: 20 dollars sounds pretty cheap.

so you would have it loose? not in a cage? you pet it?

They would be in a cage most of the time but I would take them out to play.

Rats are very playful.. they climb on your shoulder, play with your hair, grab your fingers and nibble on them. You can pet them, hug them, play with them, just like with a puppy or a kitten.

lol, you know how scary that sounds to me?

Watch some videos on youtube, very cute.

word verification: train

I actually do know. :] That's why it is so fun to tell you about it.

I recently told someone that I am getting rats, and I added in that they're cuddly and adorable just to see the look on the person's face. Priceless.

Rats are just very misunderstood creatures.

InkStainedHands: see I find it funny that people are more scared of spiders than dogs. Spiders don't bite-I don't think?

Actually, spiders DO bite, AND they can be poisonous, unlike dogs.

I was recently near the beach, sitting on a bench. There were two other girls on the same bench, probably around your age. Somebody passed by with a dog on a leash, but that dog was very enthusiastic to meet us so it was pulling on the leash to approach us. The two girls sitting on the bench next to me jumped up and backed away, while I greeted the dog. (I made sure to laugh at them as well.)

I just don't really see what there is to be scared of when it comes to dogs. Of course there are some that can be violent, but that is not a reason to be afraid of all of them. Using that excuse, we can be afraid of all people as well because some tend to be violent or abusive.

exactly, I'm scared of dogs and violent people alike-or as I like to say, people who aren't 100%. Cause both aren't thinking clearly, so both can be capable of hurting.

I didn't know Spiders can bite, but then spiders are small, and its easier to avoid them, I think.

How old do you think I am?

What I'm trying to say is that when it comes to dogs, as with people, you have to judge on an individual basis. You are not afraid of people in general just because of a few bad nuts. You avoid people who make you feel uncomfortable, but you do not avoid all of mankind. Based on that reasoning, I don't think you should be afraid of all dogs just because of some rare cases of violence. As with people, I think you should judge each dog on its own merits. A little furball who's pulling on its leash in order to meet you because it likes you isn't what I would call a danger. I have a different word for it -- cutie.

I think you're 20 -- right?

Some spiders are mildly poisonous and some are deadly. Avoiding them is not easier but harder because people usually don't see them until too late.

Puppies and kittens don't have teeth and it's really pathetic watching people being afraid of them.

Some breeds do have a predisposition to bite so know your breeds. Most, however, don't. A barking dog says hello, a growling dog says stay away.

Inkstainedhands: you make a good point, now that I think about it, I do treat dogs on an individual basis. Some I walk on the edge of the sidewalk by, and some I cross the street by. So yea, not all are vicious.

And very good, yea, I'm 20. How old are you?

Moshe: Interesting, but then that makes it better, if you don't see it till its too late, cause then you don't have time to worry about it.

I didn't know they don't have teeth, but how can you tell the difference between a cat and a kitten, and dogs and puppies?

How can you tell the difference between a growl and a bark?

Then you have time to worry about getting to a hospital or being dead.

Kittens are small and puppies are relatively small and have certain goofy look. Also clumsy.

Bark bark or grrrr...

Go on youtube and look :-P

I was about to reply, but looks like Moshe got there first.

Babysitter -- I'm 17.

You should meet Coco.. he is the most adorable little creature ever. He would never bite a stranger, so I don't think anyone has to worry about him.