Still on the subject of abundance. Catherine Mann just blogged about abundant puppy love and it made me think of the abundance of animals I've had in my life. I so admire Catherine and others who do so much for animals. I did once, not in an official, but a very unofficial way. Like chasing a chipmonk who'd revived inside my car after I rescued him on my way to work, or challenging the cat ready to pounce on a baby squirrell who'd fallen from a tree onto a sidewalk, or giving my heart and soul to baby kittens who'd been born in a culvert pipe during a storm.
Before I had kids, all my maternal instincts went toward animals. I've always loved animals and our family usually had dogs, but I've had some strange critters come and go. When I was young, my dad found two orphaned crows. Our property backed up to a National forest and we raised the crows. It was so cool to have them circling the sky and come down and land on our shoulders. Eventually they flew away and didn't come back, although my dad saw them circling in the sky overhead sometimes.
Then those darned kittens in the culvert pipe. Some neighborhood kids on the way to school saw them. It was storming and the kittens were ready to be swept away. It appeared Mama had abandoned them. I had to get a broom and sweep them gently out. Their eyes hadn't even opened. I fed them and did the best I could, but they died in about a day. I was devastated.
I was on my way to work when the baby squirrel fell out of a tree and landed on a sidewalk. The fat cat and I raced for him. I won, but got bitten by the squirrel. I couldn't leave him there. I didn't see the Mama Squirrel and I knew the cat was just waiting. The squirrel was too young to climb the tree. He wasn't hurt badly, so I took him to work and afterwards, to my parents place where there were lots of trees and other squirrels. He lived a long, happy life, and would come right up to the porch. My dad takes all the animals I find now.
The stinkiest rescue was the turtle. He wasn't injured, but he was trying to cross the road in a Washington D.C. suburb and would've gotten hit. Now this turtle was about 50 pounds, maybe 70. I made my boyfriend (now hubby) pull over and he watched for traffic while I tried to get the turtle out of the road. What's wrong with this picture? Why wasn't hubby lifting the turtle? Well, he has a bad back, and he thought I'd lost my mind. Oh...the smell. I've never smelled anything like this turtle. A man with a truck came up and offered to haul him to some woods where there was a stream, if we could get him inside. I think he was questioning my sanity along with my soon-to-be husband. I almost got bitten, but I got that turtle in the bed of the truck almost before the man opened the tailgate. We had to roll the windows down in the car on the way home because I smelled so bad. Death had nothing on this fellow.
The chipmonk that got loose in the car ended up staying with me. He was paralyzed in his back legs. A car had hit him. I kept him in a cage and massaged his spine and back legs every day. He was getting some movement back in his legs when one of my five dogs (the ones I got when the Cocker Spaniel I'd rescued from the dog pound surprised me with four puppies and I couldn't get rid of them so I helped the Cocker Spaniel give birth and put up a three thousand dollar fence so the mean dog next door wouldn't eat them) knocked the cage over and killed him, and then left him lying at the front door as a gift for me. Devastation doesn't even come close to describing what I felt. But I didn't blame my dog. She was just doing what comes naturally.
These are just some of the bizarre stories I could tell. But animals do enrich our lives. Having an animal lying next to you is just such a de-stresser, and I think we all need de-stressing. Now we have Lily, the white boxer who is so affectionate, but rules the house. She thinks we're her people. Before her we had the most wonderful black Lab, Neo. We lost him to kidney failure a couple of years ago. He was the gentleman of dogs. Just an amazing dog. He's pictured here.
Ah dear Anita, that was fun. Thanks for the laughs this early in the morning. I understand and appreciate your love of animals. I too had dogs, cats, hamsters and a guinea pig as I was growing up. At this stage of my life I have two cats who keep my company since my son moved out. Keep up the good work you are an angel on earth.
ReplyDeleteGreat stories, Anita! We had small turtles when I was a kid, didn't remember them being smelly, but that was probably because they were so small! Super post!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple pensioner ponies in my back yard, a mare who taught me to jump better than a decade ago and her boy toy, a 19.2 hand Belgian Draft horse whose street name ought to be Slow Twitch. Every twelve hours, they need fussing--hay, water, grain, mucking,a pat here, a scratch there. Every twelve hours, I get a little grounded by tending to what counts. They are the best critique partners, having the ability to soothe and encourage without saying a word.
ReplyDeleteAnimal stories are the best, aren't they? Thanks for sharing. Made my day.
ReplyDeleteFun stories! I just have the one dog right now. I would like to get a cat (I'm truly a cat person), but my dog HATES cats and I don't want to traumatize a poor kitteh by subjecting it to the killer miniature dachshund. Can't we all just get along.
ReplyDeleteWhen maternal instincts were being handed out, I was standing in the puppy and kitty line instead. While we lost our 17 year old dog Licorice a couple of years ago, we now have two cats: one a well-adjusted sweetheart (Slinky, the corn eater) and the other, a near-feral foundling, Weasel. To me, the sound of a purring cat is about the most comforting sound on this earth. When it's the feral one purring? I just melt.
ReplyDeleteYou're talking to the choir here. I've always rescued animals. I love animals.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of baby squirrels, I recued one last year. It was a bit confused and kept trying to hide under my one outdoor cat, Chardean. Chardean wasn't quite sure what to make of it. The look on her face was priceless as it kept following her and crawling under her tummy. But another one of the cats was definitely aware of *food* on the move. I got out some gloves and took the squirrel to the tree where I knew it's mama was and she was screeching and chattering at me (good thing I don't speak squirrel, lol!)
Baby was safely returned to mama.
I'm not much of an animal person, but I seem to be surrounded by wildlife. LOL The chipmunks have some sort of subterranean chipmunk condo by the sidewalk, and they love to come out in the morning to do their daily chirping.
ReplyDeletePlenty of squirrels -- one of them raced to my front door and sat on the mat the other day, like it thought it could trick me into thinking it was a cat and I'd let it in. LOL
Also lots of wild turkeys, and a woodchuck. It all keeps my camera busy!
How true, Anita!
ReplyDeleteI've always had critters in the house including at one time 22 parrots and canaries along with others.
I've always had my babies who've chosen me for one reason or another.
Love your animal stories, Anita - and the gorgeous photo of your lab! Animals do leave a special mark on our lives. I'm reminded of my son's gerbils he had when he was in elementary school - Bubblegum and Sword Fighter. (He named them. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
Sorry everyone for not checking in earlier. I got tied up and just got home.
ReplyDeleteJessica - the animals have brought a lot of laughter with the tears. I can't say no to an animal in trouble, like a bird fallen from it's nest, but I avoid animal shelters like the plague because I just don't have the energy to go the distance that I did before.
Terry - I think this turtle stunk so bad because he was so old and maybe it was the mud he'd been in. But it was unbelievable.
Grace - that's funny, a mare and her boy toy! Sounds like you have your hands full. Animals are the greatest comforters. They love unconditionally.
Mary Margaret - I do love animal stories. I have others, but these are the funniest. They've made very special memories and it's great to share with my kids. They still ask me about the animals I had way before they were even born.
Olivia - I got a good chuckle from that. You're a cat person with a dog. How funny! Yes, I think that poor kitty would be traumatized.
Tamara - puppies and kittens are the best. When the Cocker Spaniel I got from the pound had her puppies, she had no clue what to do. She was running all over the house with the little body hanging half out. I had to help her and wipe their little faces. There were four of them. Solid black and she was all blonde. Oh my gosh, I bonded with those puppies. I felt like I'd given birth. That's why I couldn't give them up.I wondered why anyone would take a purebred Cocker Spaniel to the pound. They said the owners said she was night barker. She was doing something in the night but it wasn't barking and obviously involved a black lab :)
Sia - Food on the move describes exactly what this big cat thought. It's so funny when I think back on it. The cat ready to pounce, and me slamming on the brakes and jumping out of the car. Rescuing an animal gives a lot, but it also takes a lot out of you. I've sat by the road with a dying dog that was beyond help, waiting until he died. That was purely sentimental on my part. I probably made his last few minutes on earth torture. Strange human watching me. He probably just wanted to be alone. Oh well, I tried.
Donna - I love chipmonks. I was actually obsessed with them. There was a cemetary near where I worked and they were all over the place. I would go take my lunch there and watch them. I also love graveyards. Old ones.
Linda - Oh my gosh! 22 birds. Wow. I had a sun conure. We raised him from a baby but had to give him away. He hated my little girl. I think it was because she fell asleep with him and he got tangled in the blankets and almost suffocated. He was nearly dead when we found him. But his beak was very powerful - he loved sitting on my shoulder and destroying my earrings - and I couldn't risk him hurting her. We couldn't let him out when she was around. I took him back to the lady we bought him from and she apparently found him a good home.
Catherine - your blog is what reminded me of this, and I think it's great to have those memories. One thing I've tried to teach my kids is respect for everything that breathes. I won't even let them kill a spider unless it's necessary. On the other hand, all the men in my family are hunters. I have no problems with hunting and putting venison in the freezer. It's for a reason. But I want my kids to value animal life. I think if we can instill that in our kids, we're one step closer to a better world.
I live in an abundance of animals - 6 cats and 2 dogs. Today the elderly dog took over my life - he's been having trouble with his back legs and now can't stand up on our hardwood floors. Vet says, get carpet. Right away before the damage to his legs gets worse. Was I planning to spend the day getting our entire house carpeted? No. Now we have throw rugs, runners, and area rugs everywhere. Nothing matches. Even the kitchen is now carpeted. The things we do for our animals!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great stories!
We recently added a kitten to our household and he has mistaken me for his mother. He likes to purr and lick my neck - makes my husband a little jealous!
ReplyDeleteI am goofy about my Chihuahuas, Anita, so I know just what you mean. What great stories!
ReplyDeleteLove the stories. The smelly turtle story made me laugh out loud. My brother had lots of animals growing up and the turtle tank was the stinkiest.
ReplyDelete