I was watching a program today called "Too Cute" on cable TV and it really was too cute. It follows dog or cat litters for the first few months after their birth, giving a little idea of the personality of the breed. While this particular episode followed a litter of puppies, I felt nostalgic for my stripey twins when they were kittens.
We're coming on thirteen years since they came to live at our house and they have been such an important part of our lives. We got them less than a month after our tortie tabby cat passed away and we thought we were going to lose our other cat, a Manx. I knew I wanted kittens, plural, preferably a brother and sister. We found them at a regional shelter and they were small enough that when we brought them into the house, they both fit in the same carrier. Now, they're both kind of cranky, moving a little slow, hesitating before they jump up on the bathroom sink to drink water out of the faucet. But, they are my very good friends and I am grateful for them.
There have been a few dogs in my life too, those at friends and relatives' houses.
When it's my time to go, I look forward to visiting with all the cats and dogs I've known and loved, because:
Here's a picture of Bear, my brother's dog, making friends with my mom. I spent the summer with my brother and sister-in-law and Bear (who was a girl despite her name) was one of the sweetest dogs ever. She's long ago passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
I've worked dogs and cats and even a bird into my fiction as minor characters. Boris and Natasha will live on as Irish Wolfhounds that Ethan and Alex are raising. I've always been fascinated by them and I've done a little research to make my writing authentic. I love this picture:
It's sad that the larger dogs have shorter lifespan, but they are brave and true. They also think they're lapdogs:
One of my favorite dog breeds is the corgi. There are two different types, one with a tail and one without. They just seem to be so happy and sweet.
And here's another baby one:
Too cute! My Uncle Bob and Aunt Louise had a Boston Terrier named Tammy. I thought it was funny, because Uncle Bob started looking like Tammy as he aged, with the jowls and protruding eyes. But, she was a sweet dog too. This gentleman looks rather spiffy:
Here's one that hasn't seen the light of day in over fifty years. My brothers with a neighbor's dog:
My two main heroes are about two years apart and I'm bringing some of their stories into my fictional characters. He
re's a picture of my grandfather, who passed away about the time I was born. This is another mystery dog. No clue what the name was:
Thought of this little guy as I saw the trees starting to turn color today:
So, give the animals you love in your life a scritch on the head for me. We gotta love our dear friends and fur babies. Have a great week, everybody!
.JPG)
