FRIENDS/ PET SOUNDS/1-5

Peppy

Ever since I was a child, our friends were our pets. Our first was Peppy. The little Cocker Spaniel came into our house in the late 40’s. We did not have a fenced backyard or a leash that was attached to the ground, so our little fellow went on newspapers in the basement. Then he started going all over the house. We lived and loved him for years until he died of cancer and I recall our last trip to the vet.

Skippy

Our little Daschund   lived with us for 4 or 5 years. Things improved around the house and he became my favorite. I spent my first semester in an out state college and had to give up the dog.  He got a great home and when I came home he was given to a small boy that dearly loved him. I went to visit.  As I approached him, he was friendly but distant. He had a new master and was happy to be in his new home. I was happy for him and even happier that I could go to a college in my home town city. I dearly loved the dog.

Cooky

She was a miniature Poodle and her hair was always cut like any other dog. My mother wanted her and then both parents traveled a lot and Cooky went to my Aunt’s home. Good dog.

Snoopy and Scruffy

Both cats  were all American and lived with us for a considerable amount of time. We were housed  in the second floor  apartment house and one day Scruffy jumped from the second floor balcony and we never saw him again. On the other hand, Snoopy lived with us for nearly 15 years. He was big but gentle male. He made 3 moves with us and then headed for the basement. He laid there for a few days and then died. Toward the end, he lived with another pregnant female who was with us for 7  years.

Oscar

She gave birth to her cubs and Snoopy stayed a safe distance away. How she was named Oscar is a mystery, but she was a tough cat. She then passed from the scene.

Cruiser

A very large and mean calico became ours and was extremely dominant over Snoopy and Wendy. Cruiser won the heart of my wife, but I still remember throwing him out into the front yard when he was going to thoroughly beat Wendy.

Wendy  

Came to us when we lived on both Alma Dr. and Skyline. She was our smartest and most loving cat. However, much of the time she spent grooming my least favorite cat, Cruiser. He knew it and stayed away from me. He was violent villain of the neighborhood and as an alpha, he would cross the street to fight 2 cats at once. So who am I supposed to

support? I got Cruiser as soon as I could and his foes were bloody.

When we moved, our great hero turned into a wimp. I know we are all God’s creatures. He died in an accident. Wendy was put to sleep, she had a terminal illness. The family went to the Vet’s for her termination.

I still miss her.

Ernie

Was a black cat that loved to chase after rabbits. Fortunately, he never got one and would fall over in exhaustion. He was hit by a car. He loved to sleep in the street. So…

Maxwell

In 85′ he came to live with us. He was a mix of Labrador and Cocker Spaniel. We all loved him and his loss was one of considerable

sorrow. He was such a loving dog. After many years, he died on the 21st day of the 21st century. Our oldest son buried him somewhere in the woods. We were notified in the morning. He died a natural death. Toward the end, without the use of eyes or ears, Ellie would direct Max to the places that he wanted to go. The cats loved him.

Ellie

She came to us with a sister named Annie. Ellie was fast and smart and quickly became leader of the house. Max was happy to have her and I still recall the look that she had on her face as she promenaded around the house, her kingdom. She was hit by a car and headed toward the woods and died.

Annie

 Was not meant for this world. A hog had accidentally rolled over her when she was a kitten. Annie when she got here generally remained upstairs. However, she usually stayed on a couch in the basement. Her choice was a rational one. As Wilson, a Jack Russell arrived, he terrorized the cats. Wilson was not Max. I had to intervene and watch the dog ruin the house. In front of me, he tore off wall paper and ripped up the kitchen floor. In the mean time, Annie grew old and continually urinated in the carpeted basement. One day, I picked her up and wrapped a towel around her and took her to the vet. We have her ashes. As we were driving, she was nervous at first, then she settled in and headed for her termination. She was so trusting. She was a striped Torpy. I wished her well and hope to see her on the other side. Coincidentally, the next day 250 miles away in another city, as I was getting out of the car, a rabbit the size of Annie and striped marks like Annie passed by.

Wilson

He is the most loving and demanding dog that we ever had. He knows every trick in the book to manipulate you into doing something for him.

We got him in 93′ He climbed the stair steps crying as this was first occasion. His first steps were not to explore, but to eat and terrify the cats, Annie and Ellie. I got him and our relationship began that day. He outsmarts me every day. I usually blame my wife, but we have a co-dependent relationship with the dog. He has every toy and gets extremely upset if he is not in the middle of all the good vibes in the house.

Outside, he is charming to folks who walk by and they have given him Christmas present for the holiday. As he has grown older, his aggression is all for show or for gifts. When he gets scared, he goes to the second floor of the far end of the house and hides under the bed.

If we should outlive Wilson, we already have a good guess as to how we would feel. I wish someone would invent a word for an animal who is also your child. However, the emphasis should be on animal or should it be on the child?

Folks, we have two sons that we are very proud of that live thousands of miles away. Wilson is with us. On Thanksgiving, we have the two of us sitting on dining room chairs and a cell phone between us  so the voice can be one son or another and the three of us can enjoy each the meal. Wilson sits just to the right or left of us. He doesn’t talk much, but he does eat. That is Wilson. He likes us and we think he enjoys  the cell sound of one of the sons. However, the food seems to be his favorite topic.

What do dogs do? They generally improve your health and be your constant companion. That applies to other animals, but I feel that one of those creatures, the “animal child” do the most important thing of all. When your down and lonely, they are there to be your friend. That means that their love can come with or without food.