MetaCritter February 8, 2025 9:23 PM Subscribe
Have a critter, do you? (And, just between ourselves, a paragon of the species?) As a community-building exercise, let us showcase them here.
This is Ben the Golden, a.k.a. Beniamino. His thing is licking the dirty dishes on the bottom rack of dishwasher when the door is down. Also goes "boneless" in the backyard and refuses to come in until he gets a belly rub. Would tail-waggingly hop into any car you gave him access to and smile as it drove away.
This is Alfie the Corgi, a.k.a. Feist, a.k.a. Office Pupke. Like Stephen King's corgi, a "Thing of Evil". The side-eye shows mistrust. He mistrusts everybody.
This is Ben the Golden, a.k.a. Beniamino. His thing is licking the dirty dishes on the bottom rack of dishwasher when the door is down. Also goes "boneless" in the backyard and refuses to come in until he gets a belly rub. Would tail-waggingly hop into any car you gave him access to and smile as it drove away.
This is Alfie the Corgi, a.k.a. Feist, a.k.a. Office Pupke. Like Stephen King's corgi, a "Thing of Evil". The side-eye shows mistrust. He mistrusts everybody.
Here’s my girl Shakedown a few days ago at sunrise.. And here she is hypnotizing squirrels. And here she is right before the zombie apocalypse.
You’re welcome.
posted by dobbs at 6:28 AM on February 9 [11 favorites]
You’re welcome.
posted by dobbs at 6:28 AM on February 9 [11 favorites]
chandler likes to cuddle on the couch
poe is most comfortable on a high place, and is otherwise usually in a state of semi- or total panic
posted by Kybard at 6:50 AM on February 9 [8 favorites]
poe is most comfortable on a high place, and is otherwise usually in a state of semi- or total panic
posted by Kybard at 6:50 AM on February 9 [8 favorites]
We are now a home of 2 adults, 1 middle schooler, 4 cats and a dog.
The old man, Fennario himself, came first. After moving into the woods, we found Waylon at a local animal shelter that had brought him north from a kill shelter in Georgia after he was abandoned during a flood. Guillermo, affectionately known as Gizmo, joined the family when a friend found a litter of kittens and no one wanted the single brain celled orange boy. Then came Princess Poppy Poppington, the Popsicle, Popsy Daisy, Pea Pop. She rules the roost.
Finally came Lucifer, aka Lucy, aka Lucy Goose, aka Goose aka Goosifer. He showed up one day emaciated, non-neutered, covered in ticks and I suspected he had worms. He would stand outside on a table on our patio lasering us with his big sad eyes until winter when it got quite cold, so we got him the medical treatment and tests he needed so we could save him from his life of crime and move him in. Goose has no bones, and requires immense amounts of enthusiastic cuddling to live.
Gizmo HATES Goose, but sometimes lets him borrow the brain cell.
posted by fennario at 7:08 AM on February 9 [13 favorites]
The old man, Fennario himself, came first. After moving into the woods, we found Waylon at a local animal shelter that had brought him north from a kill shelter in Georgia after he was abandoned during a flood. Guillermo, affectionately known as Gizmo, joined the family when a friend found a litter of kittens and no one wanted the single brain celled orange boy. Then came Princess Poppy Poppington, the Popsicle, Popsy Daisy, Pea Pop. She rules the roost.
Finally came Lucifer, aka Lucy, aka Lucy Goose, aka Goose aka Goosifer. He showed up one day emaciated, non-neutered, covered in ticks and I suspected he had worms. He would stand outside on a table on our patio lasering us with his big sad eyes until winter when it got quite cold, so we got him the medical treatment and tests he needed so we could save him from his life of crime and move him in. Goose has no bones, and requires immense amounts of enthusiastic cuddling to live.
Gizmo HATES Goose, but sometimes lets him borrow the brain cell.
posted by fennario at 7:08 AM on February 9 [13 favorites]
This is Dodger, grudgingly dressed up on Halloween. He has some teef.
posted by obfuscation at 7:35 AM on February 9 [6 favorites]
posted by obfuscation at 7:35 AM on February 9 [6 favorites]
I don’t know if my pics above are actually working. Here’s a different one on bluesky
posted by obfuscation at 8:34 AM on February 9 [5 favorites]
posted by obfuscation at 8:34 AM on February 9 [5 favorites]
Have a critter, do you?
I am one, does that count?
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:51 AM on February 9 [5 favorites]
I am one, does that count?
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:51 AM on February 9 [5 favorites]
Cyrus reporting for the census.
posted by the primroses were over at 10:24 AM on February 9 [7 favorites]
posted by the primroses were over at 10:24 AM on February 9 [7 favorites]
Stella and Toki.
Toki, aka Monkey, Mister, Monster, Toki Poky, TOKE!, Toker, Tokester, Cutest, Trouble
Stella, aka Stelly, Stelly Belle, Stelly Belly, Cutie, Cutie Girl, Punkin, Trouble
#Team Havanese
posted by Glinn at 12:44 PM on February 9 [7 favorites]
Toki, aka Monkey, Mister, Monster, Toki Poky, TOKE!, Toker, Tokester, Cutest, Trouble
Stella, aka Stelly, Stelly Belle, Stelly Belly, Cutie, Cutie Girl, Punkin, Trouble
#Team Havanese
posted by Glinn at 12:44 PM on February 9 [7 favorites]
All of these are the best but I gotta say, dobbs - very regal Shakedown and wow photography!
Everyone tell your dogs and cats I said hi. (yes, I stole it!)
posted by Glinn at 12:48 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
Everyone tell your dogs and cats I said hi. (yes, I stole it!)
posted by Glinn at 12:48 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
His name is Ozzy, man, he's a king of dogs
Behold his work, ye mighty, and despair
posted by moonmilk at 12:52 PM on February 9 [10 favorites]
Behold his work, ye mighty, and despair
posted by moonmilk at 12:52 PM on February 9 [10 favorites]
Yay! So many cute pets. Favourites all round! (Okay, mostly for the cats, ahem.)
Here’s my old guy aka Miaow.
Here’s my little girl, Squish. She’s actually old, too.
Bonus sheep. Not mine, but I like to visit them.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:17 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
Here’s my old guy aka Miaow.
Here’s my little girl, Squish. She’s actually old, too.
Bonus sheep. Not mine, but I like to visit them.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 1:17 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
I am one, does that count?
The carpet says "yes"!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 2:06 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
The carpet says "yes"!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 2:06 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
Here's a recent one of Hush The Darkness via BlueSky. And another that I posted before via Imgur.
(Apologies if this is a derail, but what's the best practice for sharing pics in these horrible days? The usual methods seem to have mostly all have gone dumpster fire one way or another.)
posted by ninazer0 at 2:22 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
(Apologies if this is a derail, but what's the best practice for sharing pics in these horrible days? The usual methods seem to have mostly all have gone dumpster fire one way or another.)
posted by ninazer0 at 2:22 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
what's the best practice for sharing pics in these horrible days
TechRadar:
TechRadar:
It’s near impossible to get more minimalist than Imgbb and that’s probably why it is one of the more popular image hosting websites around. Simply drag and drop your files onto the homepage and you’re ready to go.posted by Lemkin at 2:43 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
There’s a 32MB size limit (all major image file formats are supported), but no restriction on the number of files you can upload or how long they can remain online. Imgbb doesn’t require the user to register – just be aware that all the pictures you upload will be reviewed by human editors.
Luna, a Kelpie crossed with something unknown joined our family about two years ago from the local shelter. According to her microchip, she's about seven years old, but we think she's probably a bit older than that. She came to the shelter after being found roaming the streets in a semi-rural area and the owners listed on the microchip records couldn't be contacted. She's fiercely loyal and loves to defend our front yard from behind the fence with very loud barks and much running back and forth every time someone walks past but, if the gate is open, she pretends she didn't see them. Anyone who comes in is greeted with much tail-wagging and attention-seeking. She loves nothing more than to lie in her favourite spot in the front yard and chew on a bone for hours. Don't even think about trying to take it away from her!
posted by dg at 3:04 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
posted by dg at 3:04 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
I was truly unprepared for that “chew on a bone” link 😆
posted by obfuscation at 3:23 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
posted by obfuscation at 3:23 PM on February 9 [6 favorites]
Bootsy showed up in November, his right eye was damaged and had to be removed
Farley is with us till spring or summer when his people have a home with a yard
Bailey likes chips
Jules is pretty old, 15 yrs I'd say, and appears to be confused much of the time
All loved, but especially Bailey
posted by ginger.beef at 3:25 PM on February 9 [10 favorites]
Farley is with us till spring or summer when his people have a home with a yard
Bailey likes chips
Jules is pretty old, 15 yrs I'd say, and appears to be confused much of the time
All loved, but especially Bailey
posted by ginger.beef at 3:25 PM on February 9 [10 favorites]
dg: I would be so tempted to stuff the end of that bone into a old sneaker...
posted by ninazer0 at 3:59 PM on February 9 [4 favorites]
posted by ninazer0 at 3:59 PM on February 9 [4 favorites]
I am one, does that count?
The carpet says "yes"!
Believe me, I whacked my nose with a rolled-up newspaper afterward.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:01 PM on February 9 [2 favorites]
The carpet says "yes"!
Believe me, I whacked my nose with a rolled-up newspaper afterward.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:01 PM on February 9 [2 favorites]
We don't have any 4 legged critters- we do get regular visits from our neighbour's black cat. She will sit at our back door and meow. She prefers pats from me (unfortunately allergic) but will occasionally allow my kiddos to pat.
We do have two aquariums. My favourite are the Pakistani Loaches that have markings that look a bit like "yo yo" - they snuggle in and sleep in the funniest of places, flopping on their sides and even on their backs.
posted by freethefeet at 4:18 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
We do have two aquariums. My favourite are the Pakistani Loaches that have markings that look a bit like "yo yo" - they snuggle in and sleep in the funniest of places, flopping on their sides and even on their backs.
posted by freethefeet at 4:18 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
Hildegard (or Hildy), 7-year-old calico, adopted from Marshalltown (IA) Animal Rescue League in January 2020.
She likes chicken, sitting on my chair, and sitting in her cat tree observing the wildlife; she dislikes all humans who aren't me. She knows how to high-five and she lets me cut her nails (if I sneak in there while she's half-sleeping.)
posted by Jeanne at 5:38 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
She likes chicken, sitting on my chair, and sitting in her cat tree observing the wildlife; she dislikes all humans who aren't me. She knows how to high-five and she lets me cut her nails (if I sneak in there while she's half-sleeping.)
posted by Jeanne at 5:38 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
We also have a curly hair tarantula that is rather attractive if you don't mind large spiders. It doesn't have a name.
posted by Redstart at 5:41 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
posted by Redstart at 5:41 PM on February 9 [5 favorites]
We also have a curly hair tarantula that is rather attractive if you don't mind large spiders. It doesn't have a name.
Well, that's not very nice. Such a dignified creature deserves a name other than "hey you"!
posted by adrienneleigh at 5:57 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
Well, that's not very nice. Such a dignified creature deserves a name other than "hey you"!
posted by adrienneleigh at 5:57 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
Such a dignified creature deserves a name other than "hey you"!
It wouldn't come when you call it anyway.
posted by dg at 6:06 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
It wouldn't come when you call it anyway.
posted by dg at 6:06 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
It wouldn't come when you call it anyway.
I mostly don't come when someone calls me, either, but i still have a name!
posted by adrienneleigh at 6:24 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
I mostly don't come when someone calls me, either, but i still have a name!
posted by adrienneleigh at 6:24 PM on February 9 [8 favorites]
We've had it at least 10 years and it's been nameless all that time, so I feel like it's too late.
posted by Redstart at 6:59 PM on February 9
posted by Redstart at 6:59 PM on February 9
My daughter did name the spotted salamander and the white-footed mouse we used to have, and her car has a name. Somehow naming a tarantula just doesn't come as naturally.
posted by Redstart at 7:10 PM on February 9
posted by Redstart at 7:10 PM on February 9
Thanks, Glinn!
posted by dobbs at 7:18 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 7:18 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
Here’s Oscar, taking advantage of the cozy nest I left him when I absentmindedly left my coat on the floor.
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:19 PM on February 9 [7 favorites]
posted by ActionPopulated at 7:19 PM on February 9 [7 favorites]
My daughter did name the spotted salamander and the white-footed mouse we used to have, and her car has a name. Somehow naming a tarantula just doesn't come as naturally.
I suggest "Socks".
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:44 PM on February 9 [2 favorites]
I suggest "Socks".
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:44 PM on February 9 [2 favorites]
Your tarantula's name is Quentin.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:22 PM on February 9 [4 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:22 PM on February 9 [4 favorites]
Left to Right: Bruce, Daisy
waxing gibbous Rambeau
posted by jquinby at 7:26 AM on February 10 [8 favorites]
waxing gibbous Rambeau
posted by jquinby at 7:26 AM on February 10 [8 favorites]
a percentage of people will be obsessed that Redstart's tarantula doesn't have a name
not me. that spider has a name, can't you tell? Chewbocca
posted by ginger.beef at 7:48 AM on February 10
not me. that spider has a name, can't you tell? Chewbocca
posted by ginger.beef at 7:48 AM on February 10
Bellatrix is currently screaming at us for daring to go away for the Superb Owl weekend (she was left with a very affectionate cat-sitter). She is a princess.
posted by supermedusa at 11:29 AM on February 10 [7 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 11:29 AM on February 10 [7 favorites]
I'm not a fan of the giant spoods, but no pet-shaming.
A dear friend had one long ago, named Atticus, after A.Finch from that famous book. years later he named his actual human son the same name but I don't know if the kid knows he's named after an aragog.
posted by supermedusa at 12:11 PM on February 10 [3 favorites]
A dear friend had one long ago, named Atticus, after A.Finch from that famous book. years later he named his actual human son the same name but I don't know if the kid knows he's named after an aragog.
posted by supermedusa at 12:11 PM on February 10 [3 favorites]
I have three guinea pigs, and feed a wild orange cat named Cheese. I think guinea pigs are fine animals, but kind of pointless pets. They just eat and poop and act skittish. And my wife built and absolutely huge cage for them - it takes up our entire dining room, and is a real pain to clean.
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:04 PM on February 10 [4 favorites]
posted by The_Vegetables at 3:04 PM on February 10 [4 favorites]
They just eat and poop and act skittish
In fairness, that’s about 90% of my day too.
posted by Lemkin at 3:50 PM on February 10 [9 favorites]
In fairness, that’s about 90% of my day too.
posted by Lemkin at 3:50 PM on February 10 [9 favorites]
Here's my dog Pepper, who is almost 2, and my 8yo cats Finn & Flotus, who are siblings.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:20 PM on February 10 [10 favorites]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:20 PM on February 10 [10 favorites]
The ancient, irascible Beans.
My perfect, stupid son, Frank.
posted by saladin at 5:49 AM on February 11 [7 favorites]
My perfect, stupid son, Frank.
posted by saladin at 5:49 AM on February 11 [7 favorites]
Harvey and our new family member Mr. Binks who arrived almost a month ago. Things were fraught at first but relations are now mostly cordial , although Harvey is not fond of being pounced on by the Pointy One and retaliates by burying Binks' toys in the backyard.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:33 AM on February 11 [9 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:33 AM on February 11 [9 favorites]
My 6 y/o bff. AskMe supported me massively in the run-up to getting her and then afterwards. I was really worried about getting a cat before doing so, but I'm glad I went ahead with it; can't imagine a home without one now. I'd love to get her a friend, although my place is too small.
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:10 AM on February 12 [6 favorites]
posted by unicorn chaser at 3:10 AM on February 12 [6 favorites]
Here's a recent picture of Romeo, the kitten who made his MeFi debut in September. He's been a great addition to our family!
posted by Sweetie Darling at 4:57 AM on February 12 [5 favorites]
posted by Sweetie Darling at 4:57 AM on February 12 [5 favorites]
Romeow
posted by supermedusa at 6:36 AM on February 13 [3 favorites]
posted by supermedusa at 6:36 AM on February 13 [3 favorites]
This is my sweet old boy, asleep on my belly.
posted by biffa at 6:54 AM on February 13 [4 favorites]
posted by biffa at 6:54 AM on February 13 [4 favorites]
The tabby is Inari and her big doofus of a brother came with the name "Sasuke" but we just call him "S". And, they're not my pets, but I also want to share a pic of my brother's dogs in front of a spooky looking rock.
posted by rmd1023 at 1:58 PM on February 13 [3 favorites]
posted by rmd1023 at 1:58 PM on February 13 [3 favorites]
S has got serious wheel-arches there.
posted by paduasoy at 11:17 PM on February 13 [1 favorite]
posted by paduasoy at 11:17 PM on February 13 [1 favorite]
This is Rudi. He likes to lie in strange positions.
He is an absolute fucking arsehole, the worst cat I've ever had. I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm in an abusive relationship, because they've heard me screaming in pain when he ambushes me and sinks his claws and teeth into my legs, and heard me shouting "Stop it! You're hurting me! Don't do that! Why are you like this?"
I adopted him from someone at work (who I knew well) who said his wife had become allergic to him. They'd had him since he was a kitten, in a loving home, so he's never been mistreated. The allergy excuse was a lie (I later found out), they just couldn't cope with him any more.
He came to live with me when he was three, and he's nine now. He's mellowed a little bit over the last six years, but not much, he's still really bitey and scratchy for no reason whatsoever. He is a psycho, and that's just him, he's never going to change now.
But I love him very, very much and he has a great life, beds all over the house, he has a catflap to come and go as he wishes (before anyone starts, this is the UK, I live at the end of a cul-de-sac in a forest, so there are no predators and no passing traffic). The catflap only works with his microchip, so no other cats can come in, even though his nemesis, Fat Ralphie has tried.
So I'm stuck with this monster, but I would never be without him now.
posted by essexjan at 3:48 PM on February 14 [9 favorites]
He is an absolute fucking arsehole, the worst cat I've ever had. I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm in an abusive relationship, because they've heard me screaming in pain when he ambushes me and sinks his claws and teeth into my legs, and heard me shouting "Stop it! You're hurting me! Don't do that! Why are you like this?"
I adopted him from someone at work (who I knew well) who said his wife had become allergic to him. They'd had him since he was a kitten, in a loving home, so he's never been mistreated. The allergy excuse was a lie (I later found out), they just couldn't cope with him any more.
He came to live with me when he was three, and he's nine now. He's mellowed a little bit over the last six years, but not much, he's still really bitey and scratchy for no reason whatsoever. He is a psycho, and that's just him, he's never going to change now.
But I love him very, very much and he has a great life, beds all over the house, he has a catflap to come and go as he wishes (before anyone starts, this is the UK, I live at the end of a cul-de-sac in a forest, so there are no predators and no passing traffic). The catflap only works with his microchip, so no other cats can come in, even though his nemesis, Fat Ralphie has tried.
So I'm stuck with this monster, but I would never be without him now.
posted by essexjan at 3:48 PM on February 14 [9 favorites]
Late to this party but here are two pictures of Munch. He had been a stray around a relative's home across town for a few weeks last winter, then jumped into my wife's car on a 20F day. He's an extrovert. In good weather he goes around the neighborhood greeting people, dogs, and other cats. He actually has a few dog friends. He follows my dog and I on our walks. He prefers to be outside and on moderate winter days he stays in a cardboard box outside with a heating pad.
Munch is named for a TV character. No, not that one. He's named for Ole Munch in season 5 of Fargo.
posted by neuron at 10:20 AM on February 18 [1 favorite]
Munch is named for a TV character. No, not that one. He's named for Ole Munch in season 5 of Fargo.
posted by neuron at 10:20 AM on February 18 [1 favorite]
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Looking forward to seeing other people's cats, dogs, guinea pigs, stick insects, rats, whatever's going.
posted by paduasoy at 1:38 AM on February 9 [11 favorites]