Thankfulness 2013, Part Two: Animal

[kidsmoke]

For today's thankfulness subject, I ask you to reflect on an animal that has brought joy or comfort or a sense of wonder to your life at some point...or if you've been fortunate, maybe all of these things, many many times. Any animal will do, whether wild, a pet, a work animal, or even a creature being raised for meat.

 

I'm thinking of a hog I raised from his babyhood, as a 4-H project when I was a young teen. "Fat Albert" was the name I gave him, after the Bill Cosby character. But he was never fat, he was all lean muscle and as tame and people-friendly as a pet dog. Albert knew and responded to his name, loved being scratched behind his ears, and if he had the chance to leave his pen, he tended to make a beeline for our in-ground swimming pool, and would be down its steps and swimming in a flash, if you weren't quick enough heading him off. Pigs love swimming!

 

All these years later it still bothers me that this intelligent, affectionate creature was sold for slaughter once he was grown. I cried my eyes out after he was sold, and I never again raised another animal for slaughter. I switched to dairy goats.

 

But no, I'm not a vegetarian, yet anyway, and I love bacon. Still, raising him made me much more aware of animal welfare, and an advocate for humane treatment of animals. ("Humane"...kind of an odd word for what it means, considering human behavior)

 

 

What animal are you thinking of with thankfulness? Just one, please, for this topic.

[Jcamp]

I'm thankful for my cat Obama. A cool cat that's now mine because I asked a question to which I didn't know the answer.

 

I stopped by a niece's birthday party and because I hadn't yet picked up a gift, I asked her what she wanted for her birthday present.

She informed me, in front of all in attendance, her stray cat needs a home !

 

I decided on the name Obama because my niece's Bday is Nov 4th (election day) and the year was 2008.

( this cat is a Russian Blue, an all grey cat ... 1/2 black  1/2 white, soo there's that, too )

 

I had seen this cat before at my sister's house while sitting around a backyard campfire. When a chair emptied she was on it instantly and enjoyed the warmth of the fire alongside us.

 

After a few weeks of settling in at her new home she went into heat.

Omg, the howling. The " save the species " Howling !!

 

I had to wait a week for an appt. to get her treated. At that point, the Vet informed that she was appx. 11 months old, so I deduced her Bday to be Jan 8th..  Elvis' Bday ..  ( yes, female cat. no, not Michelle )

[The Inside of Outside]

One of our three cats, Pancake. He is 18, and coming to the end of his life. He has approached his last years (particularly the last few months) with a grace and dignity that is inspiring. Except maybe for the early morning yeowling in the bathroom to have someone come in to run the faucet so he can get a drink.

[smells like flowers]

Dogs. Not any particular one, just the species in general. With a special nod to the short-haired, floppy- eared, vaguely houndish ones. Extra points for a freckled belly or black "eyeliner."

[Doug C]

Every dog that I've had but as the rules call for one, I have to say my current best friend, Phineas. Phineas is an Old English Sheepdog. He is our 3rd OES from Southeast OES rescue. We got him to replace Percy, who died young of spinal cancer. Phineas was different from Percy and Dudley, as we got him as a pup, rare in OES rescue (also making him the only one we named). The breeder in Tennessee had a fire and needed to remove the pups quickly, so they contacted rescue. We chose Phin after watching the pups frolicking around via streaming video and kept a regular eye on him until weaning. When he was 2, we decided that 12 year old Dudley didn't deserve the painful life he was experiencing. Phineas came along to the euthanization. He lay (? I never feel comfortable with lay v. lie) there watching Dud and when the last breath was drawn, gave Dudley an all-over sniffing, then looked at us with his "Let's go" look. They were great pals.

 

Elizabeth calls him "Velcro dog". He follows me all around. When he feels that it's time to get up, he pushes against my arm with his snout and whines. If I refuse, he just pushes harder and whines louder, "Pop, the dog park is waiting and I have to take a shit!" It is the best feeling knowing that I am 100% unconditionally loved by Phineas. Old English Sheepdogs' coats take work but they are a loving, smart and playful breed, plus they herd children and grandchildren.

[RaspberryJam]

Tro-My childhood dog, a golden retriever with a heart of gold.  She had to hold the leash in her mouth, so when I took her for a run I would let her have the loop end in her mouth and I would clip the other end to my shorts.  We would get some looks!

 

Max-My first adult pet, and orange long haired tabby that we got at the pound in Albuquerque.  He was my then to-be husband's birthday gift because we had just moved in together and I wasn't used to not having a pet.  Max moved with us to Germany, Boston, San Antonio, and finally to Connecticut.  In Germany, we lived in a tiny little town and he became the town cat, sometimes coming home smelling of fireplace and german old lady perfume.  He would take walks with us, yelling all the way.

 

Moby-our old yellow lab.  I believe our son was conceived the day after we got him.  They grew up together, and we had to put him down just before Christmas last year.  He was a sweetheart, the kids could crawl over him as toddlers and lift up his ears and mouth to make inspections and he never once even bared his teeth.

 

Lola-our current dog, a black lab.  Easily the most affectionate dog I've ever known.  If someone is sick, she doesn't leave their side.  When my daughter had a concussion last year, Lola spent a week laying on the couch listening to Roald Dahl books on Audible with my daughter.  Sometimes, when she looks at me, it gives me chills.  It's like she looks inside.  Food is her motivator.

[Winston Legthigh]

Thankful for my pal Leo, the laziest pug that ever was. turned 4 this year. May he live many more.

[ripthisjoint908]

I'm thankful for my cat Fisher. I got him when I was 7, and at 18, he is still a big factor in my life. I love that dude.

[Radiant Witch Face]

my cat Pookie, my outdoor cats, and all of the animals at the shelter where I volunteer. they enrich my life and I do my best to make theirs more comfortable. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to do that.

[anthony]

My cat Saturn

[Guest Don Draper]

My parents were strongly against having pets of any kind, though we did go through approximately 500 goldfish.  I used to pet sit for a corgi in junior high who was the most absurd, ugly, cheerful, happy-go-lucky being I have ever met in my life.  If I live my life like he did I'll die a happy man.

[twoshedsjackson]

All of my dogs, past and present. Particularly Fletch, who passed on a couple of years ago.

[Fritz]

The two lorikeets that have visited our balcony these last few mornings. Their happy, contented chirping has made for a wonderful start to each day.

[The Inside of Outside]

One of our three cats, Pancake. He is 18, and coming to the end of his life. He has approached his last years (particularly the last few months) with a grace and dignity that is inspiring. Except maybe for the early morning yeowling in the bathroom to have someone come in to run the faucet so he can get a drink.

We put Pancake down on the day before Thanksgiving. Amazing how attached we can be to our pets.

 

No more early morning yeowling.....except his brother, Waffle, started yeowling this morning, for no apparent reason. He may be missing his brother.

[kidsmoke]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure Pancake was thankful for having you, too.