Being a cat is just about as good as it gets.

But, if I had to be another animal, I would would pick a Canada goose.

Note: Not Canadian goose.

It's never Canadian goose, according to Associated Press style, which I must say some of my fellow bloggers do not adhere to, but that is a topic of another pondering.

But back to the geese. I would love to fly in formation with the flock and HONK.

Of course, I would not fly or honk with them during hunting season. They'd be on their own.

I would poop on golf courses and your back yard.

But, wait a minute, don't people eat geese?

I don't want to be a goose anymore.

In fact, being a cat is all I really want to be.

I may not be able to fly or honk, but I can still poop where I want to.

Later, P.

I have a feeling that not all lions are this playful or friendly, but this video is pretty cute.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

---

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

Didn't read my blog today?

OK, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and just figure the NASA satellite expected to crash into the Earth's atmosphere made a direct hit on your computer.

Today's the day a 6-ton, bus-sized dish is expected to break into hundreds of pieces and tumble toward the planet.

Most of the pieces-parts will disintegrate, but 26 large metal chunks are expected to survive and put the smack down on Earth.

So if one of those hit you and you cannot read this blog, I will understand.

What's that, you weren't planning on reading my ponderings in the first place?

Houston, we have a problem.

Later, P.

Did anyone ever tell you beluga whales have no sense of rhythm? They were wrong:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

---

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

The American Kennel Club announced the top 10 dog breeds in the United States. Did your pooch make the list? Watch the slideshow below to find out:




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Ashtabula County Humane Society's Pedal for Pets annual bike fundraiser will be Sept. 24 on the Western Reserve Greenway Trail, Route 307, Austinburg. Bikes will leave at 7:30 or 9 a.m. Register to ride and raise pledges. It costs $20 for a cat, $30 for a dog and $50 for a horse each month to feed and shelter. For details about the ride, pledges and how to participate visit www.achsohio.org or call 440-969-6100.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

This week, the English chap put the final touches on our landscaping, which he calls a garden.

Those Brits have such a way with words.

He planted roses, a tree, shrubs and other nice looking things.

Then he topped it all off with cat mint plants.

A man after my own tastes!

Oh, the smell of cat mint. To roll around in it will be a delight.

Now if I can only figure out how to open the front door.

Being an indoor cat is not all what it's built up to be.

Later. P.

Grey

Grey is looking for a home.

He is a 4-month-old neutered male available for adoption through Western Reserve Humane Society.

Grey gets along with other cats, is playful, loves to be petted and likes yogurt.

For details on Grey, call 216-531-1512.

-- Robin Palmer

rpalmer@news-herald.com

If you thought humans were the only animals capable of annoying their mothers, take a look at this adorable baby elephant:



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

---

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

I saw this video of lab chimps being exposed to the outside world for the first time after a life of testing. It's very powerful, watching as the chimps hug and laugh as they celebrate.

Check it out:



Danielle Capriato | DCapriato@News-Herald.com

Things I pondered about this week:

* The Tribe's free fall and how I would have made a great center fielder with my speed and leaping abilities. I just could never find a baseball glove to fit my paws.

* My water dish. Why just water? Got milk?

* The big fat gray cat that lives a street over, but hauls his fat butt to my house each day for food. What a gig he has going.

* The neighbor cat, Mischief. The name says it all.

* A room with a view, better known as the upstairs bedroom window that overlooks a bird feeder. Here little birdie....

* The GOP debate. No wait, I would never ponder that.

* Life. It hasn't always been easy. It started on the streets, but now I'm living the American Dream.

* The vacuum cleaner. Something this cat's American Dream could live without.

Later, P.

I don't understand why dogs think they're so special.

Man's best friend? Whatever.

Maybe it's because dog spelled backward is god.

If you want to play the religion card, Fido, try this one out for size.

Legend has it that tabbbies got the "M" on their foreheads from the Virgin Mary.

Legend says that when Baby Jesus was born, a tabby cat kept him warm in the manger.

The Virgin Mary put her mark on the cat’s forehead as a symbol of her gratitude.

That my bad-breath doggie friend is really special.

Later, P.