Members of the Family

adopt a pet

Over the decades, we have had one dog, some cats, a hamster, and two tarantulas. The tarantulas were named Sergio Bustamante and Martha Rose. The hamster was Max. The cats were Midnight and Scuba. The dog was Buddy. Time passes and so do pets.

Bloggers tend to share their passions, which is just about anything. My passion is that of a story teller, but I promised Sandra I show some photos.

This is a video of a Mexican Red Knee tarantula, like Sergio Bustamante. My

son is an entomologist and he had this and then a Mexican Red Rump, like Martha Rose.

Sergio grew to be huge, bigger than the one you see here. We

had him for 5 years, during that time he grew quite large and his

legs became creepy--long and black, like something out of

a Sci-Fi movie.

We donated him to a pet store where employees clustered around him.

 

This is Martha Rose. She was with us for about a year. Martha Rose

was one quick spider. We did not form a bond with her. What can I say? 

Eh, it is what it is.

Sorry this photo didn't work out.  Dang, technology.

This is my gr-daughters' dog, Lucy. She now weighs 65 lbs, strong pitbull and chihuahua mix, with dabs of black lab. She has the big eyes when begging. When we are at the table, Lucy noses through the crook of my husband's arm and gets within inches of the food, yet she does not take any. She just gives us those big eyes.

Lucy, lying in an old bed. She still loves it. She looks small here,
but she is strong, 65 lbs. 

(Buddy)
This is Buddy, a black/chocolate lab, we had in Ireland. When he came
bounding toward me, I always braced and turned to the side. On cold rainy nights, Buddy lay 
on my feet, basically the only way they would not be ice cold.
He seemed to go a-wandering, getting off his chain, but we thought he was being used for

stud at a farm nearby. 

When we
moved back to California, he had gone a-wandering again. 
No one had seen him
 running around the property.

This is Midnight and his companion (who was there one day, gone the next). Midnight was a big tomcat who headed out for a day or so, and then return.  One time he was gone for several days, and when he returned, it was clear he had been caught in a rat trap. His back skin was almost torn off. The vet said he was a strong cat to be able to survive such an injury. Dr. stitched the injury and we put him into a cage for 6 weeks. Each day I took him out of the cage, cleaned it as Midnight walked around as best he could. Once he was back in the cage, I cleansed the wound and fed him.

Then I sat by the cage and caressed the fur that came through the cage. I told him that soon he would run through the grass, catch mice, and enjoy a cat life. He purred.

When Midnight was freed, he remembered me. He brought me field mice and voles,
laying them at my door.

Lucy is licking off green icing off my nose. She was only 50 lbs. here.
Dang it, again. Damn technology. Photo doesn't show.

Our pets were not outsiders that we possessed: they were part of our family.

P.S. I have no photos of Max-the-hamster. Max was the inspiration for Squeaky's big send-off.

PhotoPrompt: The Boy and his Cat

Mom said I made a mess in the kitchen.  That I tracked in grass and mud. 

Well, boy, you did actually make a mess.  You always make a mess when you wear your wellies.

But, Midnight, we had to walk through the tall grass to get to the tall tree.  And there was mud, so we had to walk in it.

But, boy.  You did not just walk in the mud.  You stomped in the mud.  See, I have to clean my fur!

She yelled at me.  She said, “You are seven years old, and should know better than to….”  But, I stopped listening, so I don’t know what she said next.

Yes, boy.  You should know better.  I am only three, and I know not to make a mess!

Midnight, you’re a cat.  Cats are different.  They don’t wear wellies.

Yes, boy, we are different.  WE don’t splash in mud.  Oh, look!  The woman is opening the door!  She has…

Mom!  Cookies with milk!  Thanks, Mom!  I’ll be more careful.

No, boy.  You will not be more careful, but the woman knows that.