Monday 7 January 2008

Introducing the Animals



Buster came at exactly this time of year – well, the second week in January to be precise. My darling black cat Cyd (named after Cyd Charisse for her beautiful legs) had to be put down at the age of 19. She’d had a good life and used up all of her nine lives plus a few more. But old age crept up and when her kidneys went that was it. I can’t bear to see an animal in pain.

There followed a terrible week of no cat. Then the receptionist at work rang me and said, “I’ve found two kittens at the vet in Tuckingmill. One tabby and one black and white. I want the tabby.”

So we took our lunch hour at 10 am and headed over to Tuckingmill. The two kittens had been abandoned over Christmas and spoilt rotten by the staff at the vet’s, who were glad to see them go to a good home. We piled them into a cardboard box and I sat with it on my lap while we drove home.

We couldn’t take two 14 week kittens to an office, so we went via the workshop, where Himself was busy at work. (He made jewellery in those days.) I opened the box and out burst the black and white kitten, launched himself at Himself’s jumper, and clung on.

“That’s it!” I said. “We’ll call him Buster!”


Mollie appeared after much consultation with various doggie friends. Himself had been depressed for a long while, wouldn’t go out and see people, hated his work, was in a real state. I figured that we could give a dog a good home – I would provide the walks and cuddles, and it might help give Himself a lift.

He was very anti, of course, and refused to take part in my investigations. I’d wanted a rescue dog but because of Bussie we were advised that a puppy would be better for Bussie, so he could boss it around and still be top cat.

So when I dragged Himself off to see a litter that belonged to some gypsies nearby, Himself wasn’t too keen. That lot was discarded, and the next week we set off to see another litter, not far from the previous week’s gypsies.

We got there and found two tiny white and black long haired puppies in a loose box. Himself picked one up and looked at me with shining eyes.

“If you still really want to get a dog, we should get this one,” he said.

A month later, Himself was a changed man. He had lost nearly a stone and proudly showed his daughter off to everyone saying, "she's very bright you know."

She has completely changed our lives, and I don't know what we'd do without either of them.

Apologies for change in typeface - not sure what happened there.


20 comments:

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I am such a sucker for these pet stories. They really do complete our lives, don't they?

Flowerpot said...

they certainly do, wakeup! Mollie in particular has changed our lives beyond measure.

Chris Stovell said...

No offence to your lovely cat... but I'm a sucker for dogs and Mollie looks very cute!

Flowerpot said...

chris - yes, Mollie is a lot more photogenic!

Katherine and Pippa said...

I think you mean they take over our lives. *rolleyes*

Katherine

Lane Mathias said...

They not only change lives, they enhance them beyond measure. Lovely post fp:-)

Your two are gorgeous btw!

Flowerpot said...

kate - yes, both! Though she's very good when I'm working. They both are: Mollie lies decorously on the settee next door and Bussie slumbers on the duvet behind me.

lane - thanks, but your two are decidedly photogenic!

laurie said...

what a great story. it's nice to know the backstory behind your two guys.

and yes, dogs do change our lives entirely for the better. we go out twice a day now, no matter the weather, and it is very good for us.

Flowerpot said...

laurie - i agree, i love backstories! And yes, come rain or shine, we're out there. Or Moll and I am. Himself doesnt do the afternoon walk... It's Girls Only.

Cornish Dreamer said...

Yes and, much thanks to Molls, it's the reason we started talking in the first place! They're both wonderful animals.

Flowerpot said...

RT - yes it was, wasn't it? Thank god for that!

Cornish Dreamer said...

I know! Wouldn't it have been sad if we'd remained strangers? think of all the fun we'd have missed out on!

Flowerpot said...

RT - exactly! And plenty more to come...

Akelamalu said...

Oh what wonderful tales of how your pets chose you! ((wink))

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

I love both those photographs and Mollie is just adorable!!

Ellee Seymour said...

They look colour coded, how gorgous they both are. Mollie is a real sweetie and a great addition to your household.

the rotten correspondent said...

It's always the ones who think they don't want the animals who go head over heels. It's so funny how that works!

Irene said...

Our cats and dog are our children, so I know what you mean when you write about your feelings about them.

They also make quite a bit of difference in our lives and we couldn't do without them.

Flowerpot said...

Ak - yes I think they definitely chose us!

AOJ - Madam is very good at looking cute. Underneath is a terrier's iron will...

ellee - yes we didnt intend to have colour coded animals but that's just how it happened!

Flowerpot said...

rc - yes, it brings to mind "methinks he doth protest too much".... I can never remember which play that comes from though.

sweet irene - yes they are very much our children and as such make all the more difference.