I can so relate to that bad kitty shot.

They do truely enrich their owners lives though.
The pic of your Boxer had me dreaming about a Pitbull last night. I've really been fighting myself to not get another dog. The Wife & I have a little different view on what a house dog should be. She never had one as a kid & I'm over indulgent so it doesnt work very well. We had Maggie as an outside dog & that worked all right, but animals really do deserve to be in & involved with the family
Birds are so neat. I had a crazy Aunt as a kid who had a few & they'd just transfix me for hours.