NATIONAL PET DAY

This is National Pet Month ~ today is National Pet Day

Allow me please, to take a moment to speak of the many pets that have been part of my life: as a child growing up in the Midwest, as an adult with my own family and children, and now as a grand parent enjoying grand pets.  It's impossible to think of life without pets.

In the growing up days, no photos remain, in rural farm country, cats wandered in and out randomly, most often heading back to their farms after a few days.  Food and water bowls always sat beside the garage for all.  Dogs, many strays or abandoned by city dwellers, chose to leave or stay.  Those who stayed had a home for as long as they wanted, some healthy, others sadly not.  The one who stayed, Nicholas, Nikki, arrived to find shelter in the garage on a bitterly cold and snowy Christmas morning.  He grew healthy and strong, a good and loving little black and white beagle.  Fifteen years was his stay with us, always remembered.

During my adult years, with my children there was Rainbow, the brilliant blue parakeet, who had to sit on my sons Cheerios bowl at breakfast time.  Perry Mason, the escape artist hamster, lost forever somewhere in our home.  Gucci, the orange striped cat and Baby, the mad Siamese kitten who didn't have a chance to grow up.  A tankful of nameless fish, always tempting the cats.  Emily, a sweet and playful hamster, who lived far beyond her years.  Bear, the big old fluff of a dog, rescued on a roadside in the Shenandoah, who jumped our fence, ran off, never seen again.  And Chantilly Lace ... with the pretty face and the little tail hanging down.  Tilly, the baby beagle who could not survive the parvo virus when it swept through the metro DC area with a vengeance.  Rescues.  Hand me downs.  Loved.  Missed.  Remembered.  Next, the ones I can share with you ...

Angel Maggy (Mary Margaret), tortie Himalayan, an independent, elegant shy lady

Angel Zoey, blue point, snaggle-toof kitty clown, still a kitten at age fourteen

Grand Dougie Dog, chocolate Lab of Zoolatry for 7 years when living with family, a true love

Grand Pup Chewy and Angel Dio ... Grands Chewy and Young Fiona.

Florida Sunshine family pets, joyful, wonderful, full of energy and cuddles

Best brofur Pip ... sometimes in Florida, other times in Maryland, June slowly learning to accept this

amazing and wonderful boy as part of her life, I already have and love him so

Of course, I could add June here.

But she is here each and every day, so on this day

we'll let the other pets have the spotlight.

Most images previously posted as Art Gallery pictures.