A Zoo

on May 7, 2010
in All Posts

It’s like a zoo at my mother-in-laws!

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With the Husband, me, and the two dogs jammed in a full-size bed, I got the worst night’s sleep!  But that’s nothing a little coffee can’t cure, right?

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I was especially excited for coffee today because my in-laws had coconut milk creamer, which I’ve been on the lookout for forever.  I’m a true half and half kind of girl, but the Husband wants to reduce his dairy intake. 

 

So Delicious brand:

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It was really great.  No difference in consistency from half and half!  I hope I can find this in a local store soon.

 

Breakfast was just a bowl of Pecan and Blueberry Cereal with a sliced banana.

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This cereal (an off-brand from Costco) is pretty calorie-dense, so I hope it holds me through a hike until lunch.

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How many pets is too much?

{ 96 comments }

 

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! May 7, 2010, 10:25 am

    I have been wanting to try “Coconut Milk” for awhile so I think I will be on the look out for the So Delicious brand as well………I am a 1/2 & 1/2 girl too and this might be a nice change! =)

    WOW, that is a lot of pets….I am good with “1” or “2” but that is about it.

  • Merry May 7, 2010, 10:25 am

    I’d love to go to THAT dog party! Even with the cats! But I sure wouldn’t want to be responsible for so many all at once. Maybe 6 pets is pushing it a little…

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs May 7, 2010, 10:26 am

    Love that last cat!
    I think one has too many pets when strangers refer to you as ‘the crazy cat/dog/animal lady’ 😛 but until that point, you can never have too many animals!
    I hope to have cats and dogs running all over my house when I’m older 😀 (maybe I have a secret wish to be The Crazy Cat Lady!?)
    Have a good hike!

  • Kelly May 7, 2010, 10:27 am

    That orange cat is so pretty! Maggie and James look confused, haha.

  • Miriam May 7, 2010, 10:29 am

    I say as long as you have the time, space and money for them all… you can have as many as it makes you happy!! For my part, only can manage one dog 🙂

  • Amy May 7, 2010, 10:30 am

    I just tried the vanilla-flavored version of the So Delicious coconut creamer this morning. I liked it though it was a tad sweet. I’ll have to try the unflavored version next time.

    And I have 6 pets at my house. Two dogs, 4 cats. Is that too many? 🙂

    • Megan@EatScrapRun May 7, 2010, 10:44 am

      I thought I was the only crazy one with 4 cats, and I don’t even have any dogs 🙂

      • Juani May 19, 2010, 4:28 am

        Thank goodness I’m not the only one with 4 cats.Everyone thinks I’m crazy,but they really aren’t that much work.I think it takes a lot more work (patience,space) to have 4 dogs,than 4 cats.

  • Erin May 7, 2010, 10:32 am

    We had anywhere from 3-8 cats growing up…BUT they were all almost exclusively outdoor cats (we had 10 acres of land so it was safe). They’d come in occasionally for attention and when they got older but mostly stayed outdoors (and they liked it that way). Now that I live in a small house in the city limits, I have a cat and two dogs and that’s plenty! I’d love to live where I could have a bunch of animals running around again someday though.

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin May 7, 2010, 10:33 am

    Wow that really is a full house!! I’m actually allergic to cats so I would only have 1-2 small dogs MAX. I’m not realllllly an animal person, but I blame my parents because I had a cocker spaniel as a kid, and they gave her away one day without telling me!! I think its scared me for life.

  • Kara @ Kara's Marathon May 7, 2010, 10:34 am

    Well, we want at least 2-3 kids so I think we’ll have to stop at 2 dogs! Otherwise we’d need a family compound, not a house 🙂

    Currently we’re at no babies and 1 dog in our 1-bedroom apartment, but hopefully both of those numbers will increase in our next place…

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday May 7, 2010, 10:35 am

    What’s the difference between the coconut milk creamer and just using coconut milk?

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing May 7, 2010, 10:35 am

    Wow that’s a LOT of animals! We have 2 cats and a dog and that’s PLENTY.

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers May 7, 2010, 10:36 am

    I use the same creamer- I got mine at Whole Foods!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet May 7, 2010, 10:36 am

    I don’t really like animals (I know…I’m terrible) so I’m going to go with ONE pet is enough. Maybe 2. 🙂

  • Rachel (Suburban Yogini) May 7, 2010, 10:36 am

    OMG!! Is that a ginger British Short Hair in the first pic (or similar). Gorgeous!

    I’m afraid I’m one of those crazy people who would have countless cats. Himself has put his foot down at 2 though. I would really love a pug, but the time isn’t right.

    • Caitlin May 7, 2010, 10:47 am

      Yes, his name is Marmaduke. 🙂

  • Kellie May 7, 2010, 10:37 am

    I want a kitten for mother’s day and my husband doesn’t even want me to have one pet. He says I have three kids, so I don’t need a cat. I am still working on him 🙂

  • Joanne May 7, 2010, 10:37 am

    Too many pets? … as long as each one gets enough love, food, attention, and proper care – as many as one can handle. I just love animals but unfortunatley my hubby is a one dog and no cat kind of person. I should ask him how he feels about guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds.

  • Carrie @ I See Monsters May 7, 2010, 10:38 am

    The Whole Foods in my town just got that creamer. I’ve been dying to try that and the coconut milk Kefir…but it’s so expensive!

    That orange cat is gorgeous.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) May 7, 2010, 10:42 am

    I would go nuts with that many pets. We have two little dogs and they hate the guest bed at my mom’s because it is only a full. They end up sleeping on the floor and staring at us the entire time.

  • Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman May 7, 2010, 10:42 am

    It depends on the pet. Cats? 1. (Ick, hate ’em. Sorry cat lovers.) Puppies? 2. What can I say, I’m not a fan of the feeding and walking and shedding. I might make an exception for some really cute puppies–the kind that stay small and don’t shed when they grow up.

  • Marina May 7, 2010, 10:43 am

    aw, so many cute animals! 🙂 if all of them are well fed, clean and happy, there’s no such thing as too much animals 🙂

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels May 7, 2010, 10:46 am

    Well here’s one thing for sure, a blog can never have too many pet photos. Because I don’t have any, my house is too tiny and we’re not home enough. So I love seeing everyone else dogs and cats!

  • kirsten May 7, 2010, 10:46 am

    that cat in the first picture may be the cutest cat I’ve ever seen

  • Wei-Wei May 7, 2010, 10:48 am

    Love the last cat! So beautiful 😀

    Sometimes… there is such thing as too many animals. Like… more than 2, for me, is a little overwhelming. 😛

    Have a great day! FRIDAY 😀

    Wei-Wei

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg May 7, 2010, 10:50 am

    I keep telling my husband that I want another dog or a cat…but we have two dogs already, and he says that’s the perfect number 🙂

    If we had unlimited money and unlimited land, I’d want as many dogs as we could handle!!!

  • Samantha May 7, 2010, 10:51 am

    Fur-children are wonderful. Just like the real human kind, you have too many only if they make you broke, unhappy, or prevent you from leaving the house. Meow meow ruff ruff.

  • Diana May 7, 2010, 10:51 am

    I think three pets is too much, for people that live in apartments. Even two is a lot of work, most of the time. If you live in a big house with a backyard… go nuts if you want! 🙂

  • shannon (the daily balance) May 7, 2010, 10:52 am

    as long as your house doesn’t smell like “animal,” i don’t think having lots of pets is a problem — unless they take up too much energy and don’t get enough individual attention!

  • Bethany May 7, 2010, 10:54 am

    My mom has 4 permanent cats and usually has at least 1 foster at all times – she volunteers with an SPCA organization and they don’t always have enough space for cats with special needs… i don’t think 4 (+) is too many with cats – they don’t make much noise or take up too much room like bigger dogs may, right?
    I did the PGH marathon on Sunday (in the pouring rain!)and it was awesome. I had never been to the Pitt campus area before and it was awesome – they even have a 5 guys near campus (on bouquet street i think?)! the cathedral of learning was beautiful! I’m from PGH but haven’t lived there in forever so most of the marathon route was “brand new” to me – what a great way to see a city! Oh, and a lot of the race stuff had a “Steel Yourself” logo/phrase on it, so cool!

    • Caitlin May 7, 2010, 11:07 am

      YAY PITT!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite May 7, 2010, 10:54 am

    Wow, look at all those animals! I bet it so fun to watch them all interact!

  • Nicole, RD May 7, 2010, 10:59 am

    I’m a half and half girl, too 🙂 I think 2 or more mammals is too much. We have a dog and a snake, but I don’t really count the snake! He’s not hard to manage with guests and travel 🙂

  • Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) May 7, 2010, 11:02 am

    We have 6 cats and have had more. I think as long as you can afford to take care of them and give them enough attention, then you’ll know when it’s too many. They’re just like children. 🙂

    Jenn

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) May 7, 2010, 11:02 am

    holy moly, that’s a lot of animals! i think 3+ animals is too much…but that’s based solely on my experience. you can’t give everyone the love and attention they deserve if there are 3 or more pets!

  • Steph-exercise physiologist and artist! May 7, 2010, 11:08 am

    Yummm!! Coconut milk creamer! I love coconut milk icecream too. so so so good!

    The cat at the top of the page is so cute!! I love animals. My two furry daughters would be mortified if they knew I said that cat was cute!
    I love seeing dogs and cats together. My dogs do not do well with cats.

  • Sarah for Real May 7, 2010, 11:09 am

    I guess that depends on the animals. In my case, ONE is enough. I don’t think she’d like anymore friends, hahah.

    Enjoy your hike!

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople May 7, 2010, 11:13 am

    Personally I don’t want to be outnumbered by my pets. There is just me and my husband right now, so for me, two is fine, but three (unless we’re talking fish) would be too much.

    But we don’t have any in our apartment. When we can afford a house I look forward to getting a dog!

  • Christina May 7, 2010, 11:17 am

    Does the coconut creamer taste like coconut when mixed into the coffee? I love coconut flavors but find they get muted when mixed into a strong flavor (i.e. coffee).

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 1:02 pm

      nope it doesnt taste like coconut at all.

  • Amy May 7, 2010, 11:21 am

    I have a dog and 2 cats, and sometimes I feel like I have a zoo.

    Part of me realllllllly wants a second dog, but I think our current mix is pretty perfect.

  • Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries May 7, 2010, 11:21 am

    I love all the So Delicious products! Yay for coconut. And I think someone has too many pets only when they can’t care for them all in the best way possible.

  • Jenny May 7, 2010, 11:22 am

    That first cat is adorable! But there is definetly a point where you have to draw the line… maybe 2 or 3?

  • Teacherwoman May 7, 2010, 11:22 am

    I think 2 pets is plenty! That creamer sounds tasty!

  • Angela May 7, 2010, 11:27 am

    It depends on the pet. Dogs, no more than 2. Cats 0 for me (I’m not the biggest fan). Fish – as many as you can keep.

    I think its really about how much you can handle though. I would want to give my pups a lot of attention, be able to take them out on walks, vacations, etc, so more than 2 seems like too much. If I ever get a doc (I want a Golden Retriever badly). He will be my only one. 🙂

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion May 7, 2010, 11:28 am

    Ha! So cute! My mom worked as a lab tech at an animal hospital growing up. It was attached to a shelter and she used to bring home so many animal! My dad used to joke that we would need a zoo permit!

  • Hedda May 7, 2010, 11:28 am

    There is no standard answer to this, as it depends on the owners and the pets involved.
    One should never own so many pets that one is not able to give all of them enough attention and love. I think one should also think about the pets when adding to your little private zoo, will they be able to live together in peace and be comfortable with each other?
    For me personal it was more than enough with a rabbit, a guniea pig and a dog.
    I remember being anxious when my dog became a member of our family, as my guinea pig might get stressed or afraid of this new, hairy creature. It turned out great though, they became friends and shared grass, haha! Odd couple 🙂

  • gina May 7, 2010, 11:29 am

    i have 7 cats ( i used to have 9) & one dog. i love them all but i live at home & when my boyfriend and i have our own place we won’t have more than 2 cats, its expensive & time consuming taking care and cleaning up after them!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) May 7, 2010, 11:31 am

    Love all those animals! I really miss having a cat since mine died–getting a pet is a top priority for my new apartment.

  • Tonyne @ Unlikely Success Story May 7, 2010, 11:36 am

    What cute animals! I have 1 dog, that’s plenty for me. 🙂

  • Evan Thomas May 7, 2010, 11:37 am

    I would say it’s only too much when you can’t care and provide for your pets, like with children. It would be one thing if the octomom was in a position to have all those kids but frankly she wasn’t

  • Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary May 7, 2010, 11:40 am

    We buy that same coconut 1/2 n 1/2 and we LOVE it. I usually shop at TJ’s and they don’t carry it, but I def think it’s worth the trip to Mother’s Market.

  • Kacy May 7, 2010, 11:44 am

    I always snatch up that creamer when I can find it. I love that it’s not sweetened, and it really does have a similar consistency to half and half.

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie May 7, 2010, 11:51 am

    Sometimes I feel like my one dog is too much! I couldn’t live with a dog sleeping in my bed. haha I don’t know how you do it with two!

    That cat is waaay too adorable though:)

  • Melissa May 7, 2010, 11:59 am

    What a busy household! Hope they all get along, yet from the looks of that kitty, I’m thinking he’s not impressed..lol!
    I only have one cat but we live in a tiny apartment so that’s enough for now!

  • Julia @ British Bride May 7, 2010, 12:00 pm

    LOVING LOVING LOVING all the animals. Especially James (sorry Maggie!) I want a doggie so bad…!

  • Rachel May 7, 2010, 12:12 pm

    I love days where it feels like a zoo. I’m such an animal lover/freak!

  • Lauren May 7, 2010, 12:16 pm

    Almost every holiday we end up with 6.5 people (just added a new baby to the mix), 2 large dogs and 2 small dogs at my MIL’s house. It is pretty much absolute chaos. We kind of love it though 🙂

  • Lisa May 7, 2010, 12:17 pm

    I have 2 cats and the BF and I are discussing getting a puppy. I think that’s enough animals for us. 🙂

  • Tracey May 7, 2010, 12:20 pm

    The cat in the first picture is so freakin’ cute! I just want to give it a big hug!

    I’ve never seen that coconut creamer but I’m going to be on the look out for it. Do you by any chance know what the ingridients are?

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 1:05 pm

      organic coconut cream, water, guar gum, xanthan gum, organic evaporated cane juice, colored with titanium dioxide, dipotassiu, phosphate, carrageenan.

  • Tina May 7, 2010, 12:20 pm

    My husband’s family is pretty big since he is one of five and we all have kids and pets. There are always 5 dogs and a few cats running around when we all get together.

    I have been looking for that creamer too and have yet to find it. Glad you got to try it.

  • Jessica May 7, 2010, 12:28 pm

    The orange cat is incredably cute.
    We have two dogs and one cat. I want another cat. I think two of each is the perfect amount.

  • Samantha @Food Edu May 7, 2010, 12:30 pm

    How funny & cute! My future MIL house is also like a zoo! They live in the country so when something shows up it just starts living there.

  • Stacy May 7, 2010, 12:33 pm

    My parents had 3 dogs and a cat at one time and that was way too much. I have one cat and, if you ask me, that’s too little 🙂 I think 2 pets is perfect.

    I’m officially on the hunt for the coconut creamer. I hope Whole Foods has it!

  • Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit May 7, 2010, 12:36 pm

    Yum yum yum! I think cereal is on the snack menu for this afternoon!

  • Raya @ Raya Runs May 7, 2010, 12:39 pm

    oh my goodness at the first cat picture. Sooo adorable!! I have a dog and my roommate has a cat and I feel that is a lot. If I lived on my own I would get one more dog (total of 2) but that’s it I think!

  • Tay May 7, 2010, 1:01 pm

    Coconut creamer is sooooo good (and so delicious 😉 )! I like the hazelnut flavor best. I’ve seen that cereal, but never tried it. Was it tasty?

    Depends on what type of pets, but I would definitely only stick with 1-2 “big” pets (cats & dogs!), and then obviously fishies and stuff aren’t as difficult 😉

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 1:06 pm

      yes i love that cereal!

  • runnerforever May 7, 2010, 1:16 pm

    Yummy cereal bowl!
    Too many pets there! I say 1-2 is perfect, 3 max unless it is fish haha.

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething May 7, 2010, 1:16 pm

    more than two is too much!

  • emptynutjar May 7, 2010, 1:23 pm

    I know this is going to make me unpopular…but I am not a pet-fan. I am not great with animals…odd becuz growing up i loved them and our house (and farm) was a zoo…as I grew older , the “responsibility’ part kicks in.
    And if I don’t have time to give it care and attention, I don’t feel I should have it.
    I admire people with patience for pets!

  • Heather May 7, 2010, 1:24 pm

    good question. we want a 3rd dog and that has come up a lot…if it wasn’t for the cost we would do it tomorrow.

  • K May 7, 2010, 1:25 pm

    I am in LOVE with the orange cat! What kind is it?

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 1:41 pm

      British Short Hair

  • emily May 7, 2010, 1:27 pm

    When I was growing up our max number of pets was 13 at one time. Yes, THIRTEEN. I won’t bore everyone by naming them all, but some were horses, some were rodents, cats, dogs, and pigeons. Pigeon raising runs in my family. ha!
    (and yes, it was too much at times)

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) May 7, 2010, 1:27 pm

    Holy crap at all those animals! lol Love the first kitty 🙂 *googly eyes*
    I can’t find that creamer (ew, hate that word) anywhere either! I tried just the coconut milk, and it didn’t hold up well. Wish I could find it too.

  • Gracie (complicated day) May 7, 2010, 1:32 pm

    Ahhhhh! That orange cat’s expression is killing me! Too, too funny.

  • Jen May 7, 2010, 1:41 pm

    I love the pissed expression on the orange cat’s face! Cats RULE!

  • Amy May 7, 2010, 1:43 pm

    I want to give that creamer a try! I remember trying coconut milk and saw that it had a lot of saturated fat. Does the body process that differently than saturated fat from junk food, for example?

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 1:56 pm

      no idea! good question though.

      • jessica May 7, 2010, 2:59 pm

        The fat in coconuts are composed of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) which are not supposed to have negative effects on cholesterol. This article explains it pretty well: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

        • Amy May 7, 2010, 6:33 pm

          Thanks! 🙂 That helps a lot.

  • Graze With Me May 7, 2010, 2:05 pm

    I want that orange cat. Her or his face is so cute and squashy. Do you know what kind of cat it is?

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 2:09 pm

      a british short hair 🙂

  • Bethany (@ NotUnlessI'mBeingChased) May 7, 2010, 2:37 pm

    There is NO such thing as too many pets. Just kidding. When I was pining for a second dog, I thought I would eventually want at third and a fourth. Then we got our second monster and I realized two is just right — one for each hand to pet. I remember thinking, “so this must be what it’s like when a parent decides they have had enough children.” Haha.

  • Stephanie May 7, 2010, 3:55 pm

    My aunt has 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a bird haha. But she also considers them her kids!
    I used to have a saint bernard that seemed like 4 animals in 1. She was so much maintenance, but it was totally worth it!!

  • Steph May 7, 2010, 4:20 pm

    I LOVE that Maggie’s ears are always back in pictures.. what a little cutie.

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write May 7, 2010, 6:17 pm

    That’s the funniest looking tabby cat I’ve ever seen! It sounds like fun though.

  • Katherine May 7, 2010, 7:06 pm

    I just read a really interesting article in a magazine in the hospital clinic waiting room where I’ve been working about whether adults really need dairy or not. looks like the decrease in dairy may not be such a bad thing…

    • caitlin May 7, 2010, 7:17 pm

      i drastically reduced my dairy and truthfully, i feel better than ever.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now May 7, 2010, 8:14 pm

    For me, I think more than 2 would be too much. But that’s just for me. When the husband and I get dogs I want to have time to give them attention and I don’t know if I could with more that two.

  • Mary May 7, 2010, 10:25 pm

    You have a zoo!!

    I have a cat and a dog and my boyfriend has a dog. and right now we’re in a 1 bedroom apt. 3 is too many right now until we get a bigger place!

  • Marisa May 8, 2010, 10:37 am

    I love So Delicious products! Their products are all dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and certified vegan, so I can eat them! 🙂

  • Heather May 8, 2010, 11:22 am

    LOVE the coconut milk creamer! I haven’t been able to find it at Publix (but if you request it at your local one, they will probably stock it for you!) but Whole Foods, Chamberlin’s and other small health food stores do have it. Try the Hazelnut or the Vanilla if you like those, too. SO ADDICTIVE!

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