As I got older, I got my own pets-including a baby sister. Let me see, I had two hermit crabs-Hermie and Hercules. They were so cool-they didn't do much, but I liked watching them crawl around on the floor. Then, I had a guinea pig named King Tut. I named him after the song by Steve Martin. I loved that song and listened to it over and over on my little 45 player. After King Tut died, I got another guinea pig-oddly enough named King Tut II...
I'm pretty sure I had gerbils and fish at one point...then we got a baby iguana. I named him Guaci-short for guacamole. He was super cool-even my mom would hold him and let him climb on her shoulder.(She's not a huge animal lover-she "tolerates" them.)
After Guaci died, we took a break from animals for a while. I think my mom finally said ok-enough. So when I turned 9 I was really surprised when she brought me home two kittens. One was all white except for a little brown patch on his head. I named him Caesar. The other was a Siamese I named Sherlock. I was responsible for feeding them and changing the litterbox. I took pride in caring for them. I loved those cats so much! We played together and they chased each other around the house and then fell asleep all curled up together.
One day, I went to a friends house to play. My mom took my sister shopping. We aren't exactly sure how it happened...we had venetian blinds with a looped cord-I don't know how else to describe it. We think that Caesar was walking along the window sill and slipped. His neck got caught in the cord...my mom found him hanging when she got home. I was devastated! I couldn't believe that Caesar was dead. I had to see him. My mom took me to him and I just cried and cried over him somehow thinking that my tears would bring him back to life...
That accident was my first real experience with the death of a loved one. I still have pictures of Caesar (30+ years later) that I look at ocassionally with fondness.
Sherlock was lonely so we got a little tabby named Twinkie. They were cute together too. We ended up moving and couldn't take the cats with us so we found them new homes. I missed them for a while, but then got involved in school and other stuff.
I didn't get another pet until I was on my own. I got a little half Siamese, half mutt kitten. I named her Kolohe-it means little rascal in Hawaiian (or so I was told). She somehow got the nickname Boo-Boo. Anyway, she was my pride and joy! She was pampered beyond belief and a very lovey kitty. She was my baby for 16 years until she died from kidney failure. My husband and I were building our house at the time and we got special permission to bury Boo-Boo in our backyard.
For my birthday the following year, I got Bailey. She was the sweetest and most adorable Pug! I just love Pugs-they are so funny and they SNORT!!! Bailey was for the most part an inside dog-even my mom loved her-she called her "the Bailey monster". She slept in bed with me and when I got pregnant with my first child, she slept right by my belly. When my son was born, I kid you not, he snorted just like bailey! Luckily he grew out of that!
I don't think anyone realizes how much short haired dogs shed until you have a baby crawling around on the floor! Bailey became primarily an outside dog after that. She had her own little house and lots of room to run around. The kids adored her and played with her constantly. She contracted some wierd auto immune disease and passed away suddenly-she is buried next to Boo-Boo.
I do love animals. They really do become an important part of families. They give unconditional love, loyalty and companionship. They help their owners overcome depression and loneliness. Pets help relieve tension and help keep you more relaxed.
Now you can order pet medications, clothes and toys all from the convenience of your home. I personally believe everyone should experience the joy of owning a pet. Believe me, they are way better than little sisters! Well...sometimes!
