Meet our office-mates: The pets of Ars Technica

You've seen our offices, now meet the animals that make working at home more fun.

Read the whole story

 

[pokrface]

I didn't participate because I have no pets. I had pets, but—well, let's just say that the version of the Ultra Ever Dry article you guys got to read had some....elisions.

 

[Rat Kutti]

Tess has my hearts. And way too much Apple logos in the post.

 

[athlon11]

Vladimir Uschintsky[/url]":3qpzabfo]

athlon11[/url]":3qpzabfo]Too many cats, not enough dogs.

I would guess there's a very practical reason why so many of the staff have cats instead of dogs.

I would guess that many of the staff live in denser urban areas. Dogs, especially a dog of any size, usually do better with more open areas. Cats can be more self-sufficient than dogs, which also probably works well with the busy lives of the staff. Dogs need fed and let out at certain times. Cats will graze on food and use the litter box as necessary. Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't have a cat in the country or a dog in the city, but some pets are better suited than others for certain environments.

I'm wildly allergic to cats but dogs don't bother me. I love our dog, but I've met cats that were really neat, too. I just can't spend any time around them.

Small dogs are great for those places, I have a pug and it's a great apartment dog. I also have a cat, my wife had it before she met me and while I do like it a lot I am still a dig guy.

 

[r venosa]

athlon11[/url]":2b3w290y]
Small dogs are great for those places, I have a pug and it's a great apartment dog. I also have a cat, my wife had it before she met me and while I do like it a lot I am still a dig guy.

Yeah, potty pad training my Chihuahua has worked out great. I've lived in two places that didn't allow pets but changed their tune once they met my beast:

 

[jeffrey_jeff_de]

DoomHamster[/url]"97jgd9u]Our somewhat annoyed cat, Trinket:

He isn't "annoyed", he's drunk.

I hate to break it to you but your pet has an alcohol problem.

 

[nathand496]

This is Lou (dog) and Nico (cat).

We lost Lou in July to a brain tumor, but it's good to see so many people with their furkids.

Spoiler

 

[protoplaster]

As a veterinary student, technophile, and religious Ars reader it was great to see the pets of some of my favorite Ars'ists!

'Cat5' is literally the best cat name I've ever heard.

Happy new year from my cat, Pi, destroyer of expensive headphones

 

[Megalev]

Cat 5, pure brilliance.

Parents now deceased cat, Jamie. Got him printed on a massive canvas, man were they touched.

 

[Fosterocalypse]

Ars Staff should write an article once every week or two with pictures of their animals getting into shenanigans.

 

[autopilot]

ninjakid[/url]":2dmkoy4d]That's a lot of pets.
Suzie says hi.

 

[fractalsphere]

I think pets in the officeplace can be a fantastic idea. As someone who is unfortunately HIGHLY ALLERGIC to cats, ferrets, dogs and other small furry woodland creatures, I would probably be miserable.

 

[eric123]

fractalsphere[/url]":1myuojj6]I think pets in the officeplace can be a fantastic idea. As someone who is unfortunately HIGHLY ALLERGIC to cats, ferrets, dogs and other small furry woodland creatures, I would probably be miserable.

if you got the money you can get cats or i'm sure dogs that are genetically engineered to be hypoallergenic

 

[rtrefz]

I love all the photos, and can't resist posting some of my own.

Miko: our 10ish year old Siamese cat. He's our little bastard

Spoiler

Lightning: Our 9ish year old Great Dane. She is a very spoiled girl.

Spoiler

Astrid and Mabel. Our latest editions to the fur family. Can't wait to get all the pets acclimated.

Spoiler

All are rescue pets.

 

[The Pfhor]

This was great! Thank you guys. I sent the article to my fiance, who is not a tech person in any way, shape, or form, but it's a good excuse to get her to look at Ars (and hopefully stick around for something besides the cute pics).

 

[eric123]

i'd love to get ferrets but i've heard too many horror stories about the lethal troubles they can get in.

you gotta keep on eye on those guys.

 

[theLadyfingers]

We also had a big German Shepherd, and like any intimidating dog they can be raised to be mean (by macho arseholes) but my experience of their nature is that they're really gentle, sensitive dogs. They're so attuned to your moods that raising a suspicious eyebrow at them is enough to make them hilariously contrite.

Our shepherd used to hang her head out of the fence to get pats from passersby. She'd drop her squeaky toys out so that people would pick them up and give them back to her. She also seemed to have a large vocabulary, knew all her toys by name and even understood words like "where", because if you got her excited by saying "rat" or "squirrel" and then asked her "where's the rat?" she'd stop getting excited and trot out to where they would get into the garden. Of all the dogs we had, she was the brightest by an order of magnitude. If I ever get to live in a house again, I'll gladly get another shepherd.

The fur is an issue, though. Buy a good vacuum.

 

[theLadyfingers]

redtomato[/url]":uj2wcgu9]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

My housemate's cat was obsessed with water, and would sit on the edge of the tub paddling while I took a bath. Fell in a few times, which he really didn't like at all. Luckily I wasn't in the tub when that happened.

 

[Urethramancer]

eric123[/url]":3ngs3cr0]
if you got the money you can get cats or i'm sure dogs that are genetically engineered to be hypoallergenic

An acquaintance of mine got a dog like that. Looks like a cross between a terrier and a poodle, has the best fur ever (forget blankets - you just need a couch full of these in the winter), and is also genetically engineered to love all people.

 

[MycrosoftHell]

fractalsphere[/url]":2xrvpfwx]I think pets in the officeplace can be a fantastic idea. As someone who is unfortunately HIGHLY ALLERGIC to cats, ferrets, dogs and other small furry woodland creatures, I would probably be miserable.

I think the pets and offices are at home.

 

[riverat]

jdw[/url]":u5k46t9z]

redtomato[/url]":u5k46t9z]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Are you sure he's deaf? Maybe he's just ignoring you. I mean, he is a cat.

The surest way to tell would be to use a can opener while he's out of the kitchen. If he doesn't come arunnin' you can be sure he's deaf.

 

[furbies]

brionl[/url]":302hwzfw]Furbag Butthead Mousebiter

Possibly one of the best Cat names I've heard....

 

[Kazper]

Love Mac. There is just something about medium to large terriers that call to med. Beautiful Animals.

 

[brionl]

theLadyfingers[/url]":156d6b3y]

redtomato[/url]":156d6b3y]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

My housemate's cat was obsessed with water, and would sit on the edge of the tub paddling while I took a bath. Fell in a few times, which he really didn't like at all. Luckily I wasn't in the tub when that happened.

Furbag, (the cat who's picture I posted a couple pages ago) used to like to stick his head in past the shower curtain and lick the walls while I was showering. He also loved to lick a faucet when I left it dripping, or just lay in the sink when it was dry.

furbies[/url]":156d6b3y]

brionl[/url]":156d6b3y]Furbag Butthead Mousebiter

Possibly one of the best Cat names I've heard....

The Furbag is obvious, he loved to give me headbutts, and he would catch mice and eat them all up. Except the heads, which he left laying around the floor for me to step upon.

 

[bettega]

Cats wins 8-7

 

[taiganaut]

I know a ton of cats that really prefer trickling or running water. Some will be really insistent when faucets are running. It's a feature, not a bug.

Some cats can run dehydrated (they're evolved from desert cats, hence that and kidney issues) and vets will recommend a cat fountain.

 

[Deleted member 276317]

redtomato[/url]":20wpva71]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

 

[Akemi]

athlon11[/url]":17wkrml8]

Vladimir Uschintsky[/url]":17wkrml8]

athlon11[/url]":17wkrml8]Too many cats, not enough dogs.

I would guess there's a very practical reason why so many of the staff have cats instead of dogs.

I would guess that many of the staff live in denser urban areas. Dogs, especially a dog of any size, usually do better with more open areas. Cats can be more self-sufficient than dogs, which also probably works well with the busy lives of the staff. Dogs need fed and let out at certain times. Cats will graze on food and use the litter box as necessary. Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't have a cat in the country or a dog in the city, but some pets are better suited than others for certain environments.

I'm wildly allergic to cats but dogs don't bother me. I love our dog, but I've met cats that were really neat, too. I just can't spend any time around them.

Small dogs are great for those places, I have a pug and it's a great apartment dog. I also have a cat, my wife had it before she met me and while I do like it a lot I am still a dig guy.

Size has little to do with what makes a good apartment dog for an urban area versus a dog that needs room to stretch their legs.

Many people bought Jack Russell Terriers after seeing the one on Frasier. Yet, it's actually a terrible dog for apartment owners that don't have some way of giving the dog the exercise it needs to be happy and healthy.

http://www.therealjackrussell.com/breed/jrprofiler.php

On the other hand, many people would easily overlook a Bull Mastiff if they were in an apartment. Yet the lackadaisical nature of the breed along with its miniscule exercise requirements actually make it a good breed for owners who aren't super active.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bullmastiff/index.cfm

Cats are no different. Different breeds have different temperaments and activity levels.

Rather than looking at size or a cute factor. You're better off doing just a few minutes of research at a site like AKC.org or a simple Google search for the specific breed you're looking to get, along with the requirements to keep that breed happy and healthy.

 

[leedo]

I didn't get a chance to send Eric any of my cat pictures. But here is Alice in her natural habitat (on my clothes):

 

[Zemzil]

Haha lovely Martini !

Here is my own Terrier - Darryl, on Ciara's shoulders.

 

[SuperDave]

Thoughtful[/url]":19pk1cth]

redtomato[/url]":19pk1cth]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

There are actually people who think like this? Don't let your cats out because they kill birds?

 

[Deleted member 276317]

SuperDave[/url]":d8390u1h]

Thoughtful[/url]":d8390u1h]

redtomato[/url]":d8390u1h]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

There are actually people who think like this? Don't let your cats out because they kill birds?

The Audubon Society, for one group of people.

 

[Akemi]

SuperDave[/url]":22lvqd73]

Thoughtful[/url]":22lvqd73]

redtomato[/url]":22lvqd73]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

There are actually people who think like this? Don't let your cats out because they kill birds?

Or people that would like to keep their cats alive and kicking. Forget that outdoor cats can be hit by cars, attacked by malicious people, or attacked by other animals. They may also stumble into the yard of a very protective dog like my old American Staffordshire Terrier, Mars (at 100 pounds he was a big SOB for his breed).

My dog killed a neighbors cat that made its way into my fenced in yard. I had no idea the cat was there. I just let the dog out to stretch his legs and use the restroom prior to a trip we were going to make. Bam. I heard a few barks, a growl, and I went out to see what was up. There was Mars, dead cat in mouth. Can't blame me as my yard was fenced in completely with the gates closed. Can't fault the dog for protecting his territory. You can only fault the cat's owner since you can't fault the cat for exploring, as that's its nature.

Don't let your animals run. They face all sorts of obstacles to their health, and if they're not spade or neutered, you get the problem of unwanted puppies and kittens when you allow them to run. On top of that, cats and dogs allowed to run can mess up your neighbors property (male cats have a nasty habit of spraying pungent urine on property where a cat in season lives). Dogs have tendency to tear up property under the same circumstances, and if it's a big breed, can be very aggressive with 0other animals and people.

In short, it's just common sense and common courtesy.

 

[SuperDave]

Man. After >15 years here I should be used to this but some of you guys keep your ties too tight around your neck.

 

[Pixelmancer]

Thoughtful[/url]":ajz53zsl]

redtomato[/url]":ajz53zsl]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

The bird slaughtering abilities of birds are also well documented. You should keep birds inside instead. Besides, it's what they deserve for crapping on my car.

Akemi[/url]":ajz53zsl]

SuperDave[/url]":ajz53zsl]

Thoughtful[/url]":ajz53zsl]

redtomato[/url]":ajz53zsl]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

Have tried to teach him a bit of sign language but doesn't seem interested in learning. Will look at you if you thump the floor, so has a bit of deaf awareness. When I let him out at night, if I flash a torch, he will (sometimes) come back.

Do not let you cats roam free outdoors, please! Their bird slaughtering abilities are well documented.

There are plenty of counter-arguments and studies but I can't think of a good reason not to control your domesticated pets.

There are actually people who think like this? Don't let your cats out because they kill birds?

Or people that would like to keep their cats alive and kicking. Forget that outdoor cats can be hit by cars, attacked by malicious people, or attacked by other animals. They may also stumble into the yard of a very protective dog like my old American Staffordshire Terrier, Mars (at 100 pounds he was a big SOB for his breed).

My dog killed a neighbors cat that made its way into my fenced in yard. I had no idea the cat was there. I just let the dog out to stretch his legs and use the restroom prior to a trip we were going to make. Bam. I heard a few barks, a growl, and I went out to see what was up. There was Mars, dead cat in mouth. Can't blame me as my yard was fenced in completely with the gates closed. Can't fault the dog for protecting his territory. You can only fault the cat's owner since you can't fault the cat for exploring, as that's its nature.

Don't let your animals run. They face all sorts of obstacles to their health, and if they're not spade or neutered, you get the problem of unwanted puppies and kittens when you allow them to run. On top of that, cats and dogs allowed to run can mess up your neighbors property (male cats have a nasty habit of spraying pungent urine on property where a cat in season lives). Dogs have tendency to tear up property under the same circumstances, and if it's a big breed, can be very aggressive with 0other animals and people.

In short, it's just common sense and common courtesy.

My cat would kill your dog. I've seen him tear up a doberman. I'm not worried about him unless you have a pet bear.

 

[Pixelmancer]

redtomato[/url]":q9wki4fn]I have a deaf cat who loves water, will happily sit under a cold running tap, and loves to watch you piss. Too much info perhaps. Does tend to freak out visitors

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/5f/5fcb45d ... 5a95dc.jpg

 

[Deleted member 276317]

SuperDave[/url]":1kcow13w]Man. After >15 years here I should be used to this but some of you guys keep your ties too tight around your neck.

And I do know, after being alive long enough, that it's utterly impossible for some people to just concede, "Wow. I didn't know that."

 

[Deleted member 276317]

Pixelmancer[/url]":2oflscuy]The bird slaughtering abilities of birds are also well documented. You should keep birds inside instead. Besides, it's what they deserve for crapping on my car.

How am I supposed to answer you? I don't keep any birds as pets. I'm saddened that you felt it necessary to write what I can, at best, only assume you think is a humorous answer.

Are you angry that I pleaded with a cat owner that he or she not allow his or her cat(s) to roam free? I have a hard time treating some posters as real people I might meet one day sometimes too.

 

[Urethramancer]

Pixelmancer[/url]":20q2fnf3]This is very off-topic for this site.

Welcome to Ars Petnica!

In case you didn't know, most sites are running on empty this time of the year. I dunno what it is. Might be some sort of big celebration or other. You might find something if you investigate

 

[Dr Gitlin]

Fosterocalypse[/url]":3jh5ien1]Ars Staff should write an article once every week or two with pictures of their animals getting into shenanigans.

I've been saying this for years

Superdave - I will tell Nigel he has a twin!