Can I Keep Him? Part I
February 4th 2010 19:42
Children and puppies (or kittens!) just seem to go together. At our house we are animal lovers. From the time Tallulah was a old enough to express her desire for a pet, she has tried to bring one type of animal or another into our house. Some stayed for a while, others didn't work out as well.
For a time our town was plagued with stray dogs. Gertrude, Tallulah's younger sister has a soft heart for any stray. The instant one steps foot (paw) on our block, the child grasps it to her chest and vows that she will "love" it "forever". Each is given their own unique name and when they move on, they go with a full belly, leaving me with a sad child.
I mention this as a way to explain why there are currently five dogs and three cats residing with us. In fairness, all but the very oldest dog and the very youngest dogs live outdoors. Still, there are a great many dogs and cats depending on the occupants of our house for their daily bowl of kibble.
At the beginning it was not my intention to operate a shelter for stray pets. It just evolved. Each pet came to us with some sad tale.
Take the cats. Chowder came to us because my daughter heard that his previous owner was going to euthanize several kittens unless homes could be found. Tallulah went to work and found homes for as many of the kittens as she could. When only Chowder was left, she brought him to me and announced that the cat was on death row UNLESS I could find it in my heart to open my heart to him and allow her to take him in.
A week later, Duchess arrived. At only 11 ounces, she was tiny and fluffly and purred like a finely tuned motor when she snuggled into my arms. Once again I heard a sad story that involved certain feline death. UNLESS I was willing to stand up and be the defender of cats I was born to become.
I mention this as a way to explain why there are currently five dogs and three cats residing with us. In fairness, all but the very oldest dog and the very youngest dogs live outdoors. Still, there are a great many dogs and cats depending on the occupants of our house for their daily bowl of kibble.
At the beginning it was not my intention to operate a shelter for stray pets. It just evolved. Each pet came to us with some sad tale.
Take the cats. Chowder came to us because my daughter heard that his previous owner was going to euthanize several kittens unless homes could be found. Tallulah went to work and found homes for as many of the kittens as she could. When only Chowder was left, she brought him to me and announced that the cat was on death row UNLESS I could find it in my heart to open my heart to him and allow her to take him in. A week later, Duchess arrived. At only 11 ounces, she was tiny and fluffy and purred like a motor when she snuggled into my arms. Once again I heard a sad story that involved certain feline death. UNLESS I was willing to stand up and be the defender of cats I was born to become.
Eventually Duchess and Chowder became the proud parents of three tiny adorable kittens. Fortunately, two of them found homes with nice older ladies who love cats.
Each of my dogs has come to me with an equally said tale to share with me. Either the cruelty of other humans or the look of pleading in my daughter’s eyes has brought four dogs into my life. Keesha, the basset hound, is my old girl. Over weight and asthmatic, she plods along beside me in the garden and around the house. When I sit to drink my cup of tea, she curls at my feet and snores loudly until I move again. Her idea of exercise is to wag her tail a wee bit more quickly when I mention her name and the word “cookie” in the same sentence. In short, she is my canine doppelganger. I was happy having my “old girl” hang around with me when the children were at school.
For a time our town was plagued with stray dogs. Gertrude, Tallulah's younger sister has a soft heart for any stray. The instant one steps foot (paw) on our block, the child grasps it to her chest and vows that she will "love" it "forever". Each is given their own unique name and when they move on, they go with a full belly, leaving me with a sad child.
I mention this as a way to explain why there are currently five dogs and three cats residing with us. In fairness, all but the very oldest dog and the very youngest dogs live outdoors. Still, there are a great many dogs and cats depending on the occupants of our house for their daily bowl of kibble.
At the beginning it was not my intention to operate a shelter for stray pets. It just evolved. Each pet came to us with some sad tale.
Take the cats. Chowder came to us because my daughter heard that his previous owner was going to euthanize several kittens unless homes could be found. Tallulah went to work and found homes for as many of the kittens as she could. When only Chowder was left, she brought him to me and announced that the cat was on death row UNLESS I could find it in my heart to open my heart to him and allow her to take him in.
A week later, Duchess arrived. At only 11 ounces, she was tiny and fluffly and purred like a finely tuned motor when she snuggled into my arms. Once again I heard a sad story that involved certain feline death. UNLESS I was willing to stand up and be the defender of cats I was born to become.
I mention this as a way to explain why there are currently five dogs and three cats residing with us. In fairness, all but the very oldest dog and the very youngest dogs live outdoors. Still, there are a great many dogs and cats depending on the occupants of our house for their daily bowl of kibble.
At the beginning it was not my intention to operate a shelter for stray pets. It just evolved. Each pet came to us with some sad tale.
Take the cats. Chowder came to us because my daughter heard that his previous owner was going to euthanize several kittens unless homes could be found. Tallulah went to work and found homes for as many of the kittens as she could. When only Chowder was left, she brought him to me and announced that the cat was on death row UNLESS I could find it in my heart to open my heart to him and allow her to take him in. A week later, Duchess arrived. At only 11 ounces, she was tiny and fluffy and purred like a motor when she snuggled into my arms. Once again I heard a sad story that involved certain feline death. UNLESS I was willing to stand up and be the defender of cats I was born to become.
Eventually Duchess and Chowder became the proud parents of three tiny adorable kittens. Fortunately, two of them found homes with nice older ladies who love cats.
Each of my dogs has come to me with an equally said tale to share with me. Either the cruelty of other humans or the look of pleading in my daughter’s eyes has brought four dogs into my life. Keesha, the basset hound, is my old girl. Over weight and asthmatic, she plods along beside me in the garden and around the house. When I sit to drink my cup of tea, she curls at my feet and snores loudly until I move again. Her idea of exercise is to wag her tail a wee bit more quickly when I mention her name and the word “cookie” in the same sentence. In short, she is my canine doppelganger. I was happy having my “old girl” hang around with me when the children were at school.
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