The Virtual Woman: A Woman's
Weekly Guide To Cyberspace
Pet Information Unleashed On The Web
I have an animal, a cat named Mouse Pad (his Native American name is DrinksInSinks). He’s an eight year old tabby with a big head and a lot of attitude. Over the years, I’ve concluded that it’s absolutely not about me. When he sits on my lap, it’s about heat seeking behavior. When he rubs up against me it’s not to say "Hello. I love you." Rather, I am being marked, yet again, as part of his territory, as part of his great plan, as part of his massive cat land-grab. It’s not about me or even about "us." At all. It’s about MousePad. It’s about Mouse Pad’s needs--his food requirements, his undying urges to destroy furniture, his heating requirements, his marking requirements. I am merely, to him, a very large, very pale, two legged, humanoid Helper Bee who is there to assist in his ADLs (activities of daily living). I am his dreaded, but necessary, personal assistant. MousePad and I have an understanding. I’m under. And he’s standing. And do I resent this dynamic? Does it drive me to write nasty things in his litter box? Of course not. I just adore him. Want him to live another eight years plus ten more. Yes, my friends. I am one of them. I am one of those dreaded Cat People. That would be me. I am The Virtual Woman. And I am a Cat Person. There. I said it.But enough about you. Let’s talk a bit about me. Before we do, however, let’s answer some of your online pet inquiries.
Dear Virtual Woman:
If I had a penny for
My boyfriend and I are discussing getting a pet. When the topic first came up, I was
thinking along the lines of a dog or cat, but he’s thinking exotic. I’m sorry - call me
old-fashioned, but I’d really just like a standard pet. Wondering if the web might offer
something for us?
- Beth, Washington, DC
Dear Beth:
I hear you. I could not imagine taking a pot bellied pig for a walk (well, I suppose I could imagine it but it’s not a dreamy, positive imaginary thought, more along the lines of imagining what a root canal must feel like). But anyway, yes, finding the right pet is a challenge. You’ll have to do what you normally do when selecting something to live with for a long time. Research. It doesn't matter if it’s a boyfriend, a sofa or a songbird, you gotta know what you’re getting into. Before choosing an animal, think about living space. Will home be a tank, a cage, a house or a stable? (Remember, I’m talking about the pet, not the boyfriend). What about lifestyle? (yours and his, not the pet) and budget? (probably yours.). The web site for the American Veterinary Medicine Association, Care for Pets, (http://www.avma.org/care4pets) can help you answer those questions. When you click into Buying a Pet, I’d suggest reading the practical advice and considerations first. Then get into the dog, cat, bird, exotics debate by checking out each of their links. Who knows, after some thought, a giga pet (that virtual animal on a keyring), might be the ideal companion.
Care for Pets is an informative site for prospective and current pet owners. It is well-organized, simple to use and it has excellent information. The articles on animal health, safety, vets, and traveling with pets are top notch.. There is even a chance for some reader interaction. If you have a story about your pet, key it in, click and send it on its way. Look for an exclusive on the missing MousePad in the next few weeks.
The PadMan came from the local humane society. These neighborhood shelters are great in helping people like me and you choose the right animal. At the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website on the Jump Page, http://www.aspca.org/calendar/jump.htm, there are links state by state to animal shelters and hospitals across America.. There are so many homeless animals in shelters, that looking here first is the thing to do.
Dear Virtual Woman:
I just bought home
the sweetest turtle, but I don’t know what to name her. Any suggestions?
- Priscilla Meyers, Milwaukee, WI
Dear Priscilla:
A girl turtle, eh? How can you tell?
For a little help naming the newest family member, stop in at http://homearts.com/depts/pastime/petnam16.htm. Besides listing the top 30 pet names culled from 43 veterinarians and 300,000 pets, The Just Pets website has a questionnaire to help you select a pet name. I pretended that I was replacing MousePad with a dog. The name would be distinctly male, with a technological/scientific flavor. Of the names they suggested, Apollo, Galileo, and Mars, the best one of all was Gates. Warning: This site is highly addictive.
Another spot to check out more names than you will ever be able to use is the World Wide Pet Names project at http://www.wellwellwell.com/petnames. To date, almost 7500 pet names have been submitted. Certainly, you’ll find the right moniker for your turtle. If you are imaginative enough to come up with a name not on the list, you can submit it.
Happy Surfing!
Find these links and more at WWWomen.Com (http://www.wwwomen.com) the web's largest search directory of topics for women online. Email the Virtual Woman with your Internet questions or send snailmail to: WWWomen.Com, Attn: Virtual Woman, 3701 Geary Blvd., #325, S.F., CA 94118. Copyright, 1998. WWWomen, Inc. All rights reserved.
This column can only be re-distributed with written
permission by
Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service or WWWomen, Inc.
Contributing Editor: Glenda Carroll
© Copyright 1996-99. WWWomen, Inc.®. All Rights Reserved.
WWWomen is a registered trademark of the WWWomen company.