Tuesday, May 1, 2012

"king"


There's not a day goes by that I don't think about our dearly departed Ben, he was our constant companion for many years. I miss his sweet little Cocker Spaniel face at the door as I pulled down the driveway, he'd be looking for me♥♥♥ When I cooked he'd lay in the doorway waiting for a bite of whatever♥♥♥ When he saw us pack the cooler, he knew he'd be getting a boat ride♥♥♥ I miss him. He was a rescue dog, he came to us by the way of our daughter Amy. I didn't want him at first, but my husband insisted that he needed us. "Staying in an apartment for hours on end is no life for a dog"... his words exactly! We've had many pets throughout the years- dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters, rabbit, horse, I even count the chickens, ducks and calves since we spoiled them too! Our horse Apache would have loved to come in the house, he had an affinity for spaghetti and Pepsi... don't ask!

It's easy to let a pet become more, in no time they are a member of the family. If you've ever watched the Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan you see what happens when we allow pets to rule our households. The pets turn into unruly, unhappy animals who become so unbearable that many times the owners have to give them away. It always amazes me when Cesar walks in, assesses the situation and tells the dog "no." He doesn't ASK the dog "no," he tells the dog "no"... big difference.

You may have noticed I've added our local Animal Shelter to my sidebar. Our daughter's family have a new cat thanks to a visit to the Lowell facility. Lebowski is a beautiful 7 month old Tabby who had never known life outside the shelter. He came to them as a newborn kitten... that means he had never napped in the sun, he had never set on a windowsill and watched the birds, he'd never been in a area larger than his cage for any amount of time. But just like Ben, he adapted quickly to a loving family and after a month now he has just enjoyed his first encounter with the outside. He explored the backyard and under the bushes. He checked out the deck and his favorite spots to "sun." He's king, just without the capital "K!"


14 comments:

  1. Our cocker is getting up in years too. He's full of tumors, I don't think he'll be around all that long. He is our entertainment most days. I just love to watch the thought process.

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    1. We miss Ben so much, but the quality of his life finally was the determining factor in letting him go. I do miss his sweet little face and all the joy he brought us! Lebowski is the biggest kitten ever, probably because he spent those "kitten months" inside a cage at the shelter. He's thrilled with his new life and family... he's so much fun to watch!

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  2. I love this post, Joy... what a beautuful face, that Ben. I believe Frasier, our newly adopted dog, is poodle and spaniel. Your picture of Ben makes me almost certain of it.

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    1. He does look like a spaniel and oh Karen, the way he looks at you... you have won his heart!

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  3. Although my first dogs came from Kennels, I have been "converted" to the "stray" side as well!!! ...:)JP

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    1. They can give you that look that melts your heart... "Please take me home..."

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  4. congrats on the new kitty king in the family! all pets deserve a good life...

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    1. He's a really good kitty and our Grandson is in Heaven since Lebowski has made him his "favorite."

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  5. I know what you mean. We lost our little Jack Russell when he was only 6 almost 3 years ago and I still think of him every day and night and keep his pictures around. He was the dog of my life. I'm glad Lebowski now has a good life!

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    1. So hard to say goodbye. I do think Ben may be our last since it hurt so much. Lebowski has it made, he gets treated like a king!

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  6. I sure miss my pet family!

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    1. We do get close to them, they are like our family in many ways.

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  7. What a good kitty! All the pets I have had have been rescue critters. Maggie came from the 'Senior for Seniors' program here in town. She was free to a senior since she was 5 years old. Lucy was abused and abandoned. We don't know WHAT kind of dog she is except she is white. And she doesn't bark at people or other animals.....except for Louis Dean.

    I am really enjoying your blog.

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    1. Thanks so much Linda! Isn't it funny that shelter pets often make the best ones. I think they consider it a second chance and are on their best behavior!

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