Throwback Thursday #4 – The Pets In My Life

Welcome back to Throwback Thursday Bloghop, where Maggie and I alternate offering a blog topic about a nostalgic object, event, or memory. 

To join in, write a post with your response to my topic. You can share a story or poem about yourself, your family, or your friends. Feel free to use the photo above in your post and tag it with #TBTMemory or #IRememberWhen to make it easier for others to find.  After you’ve written your reply post, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here.  You can also add your thoughts to the comments below if that works best to you.
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Today’s subject: The Pets in My life
Ask most psychologists why pets are good for kids, and they’ll probably tell you it is because they teach responsibility. That may be true, but in my opinion, pets are the greatest way to share unlimited love.

Did you grow up with pets in your home? What do you think the best thing about having a pet was? Was your life changed by having pets? Were you allowed to choose a pet yourself, or were there “family” pets?  Are you a dog, or a cat person? Did you ever have an unusual pet? Did you ever envy friends who had a pet that you wanted? How have you dealt with the loss of a pet?

My response is below.
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I’ve edited this post multiple times. I’ve culled details to make it an easier read. I hope you still get the feeling of how much I have loved the dogs in my life.

Growing up we always had pets. Our house was where lost or abandoned cats came to live. I know we had a bird or two growing up. My mom played a record for hours to try and teach the bird to talk. I remember to this day the words. It said, ” hello baaaaby, wanna kiss?” Imagine listening to this every day for hours on end with no reward EVER.

My earliest memories of dogs were the Pekingese dogs my mom raised. They were the cutest things ever. I remember a few of their names, but not many. I have a very funny memory about Shoo Shoo. We somehow acquired a Siamese cat my mom named Pyewacket. Pyewacket liked to hide on the top of the refrigerator until Shoo Shoo walked past. Then she would jump off the fridge right onto Shoo Shoo, scaring the crud out of the poor dog. Maybe that is why I am attached to dogs and not cats.

My mom, me, and pups 1960 something.

 

Dogs were more of a constant in my life than stepdads. The dogs were loving, caring, and I needed them as much as they needed me. I don’t ever remember being without a dog in the house. They made great cry pillows too. I enjoyed walking the dogs, grooming them, and luckily most of the time, the boys had to pick up the messes. I rarely met a dog I didn’t like. I can’t say that about stepdads.

When I was a teen, I got the first dog that was just mine. She was a poodle mix and I adored her. When my first spouse and I moved into our own home I was 18. I didn’t know that my dog was so possessive. She wouldn’t let him in the bed if she got there first. She would growl at him which made him nervous. (I guess she knew something I did not. LOL)

When I got my daughters a dog, I knew full well that I would be taking care of it. I didn’t mind a bit. When our golden was impregnated by two different dogs who jumped the 6-foot block wall, I had no idea how hard it would be to rehome the 9 puppies. It was not because we couldn’t find homes. It was because my girls were heartbroken about them leaving. We decided to try and keep one of Goldie’s daughters. We kept Cinnamon. When Goldie was the only dog, she was great. But being with her daughter caused Goldie to become a wild girl who destroyed tons of things (in the name of fun). Luckily, we had a friend that wanted Cinnamon when she was a year old. We were able to see her often.  Apart, both dogs were terrific.

After Goldie crossed the rainbow bridge, I was inconsolable. I knew I didn’t want another Golden. I couldn’t replace the wonderful dog I had for fourteen years with another dog.

Eventually we adopted a Brittany Spaniel puppy. I knew nothing of the breed. She was amazing. Sadly, she had symptoms of parvo just two days after we got her. I was furious with the people we bought her from. They lied about her shots. I was already in love with the little bundle. She was quarantined at the vets office for the longest time. I would go before school and after school to see her. I would suit up in safety clothes, sit on a stool, and pet and cuddle her. When she came home, we all rejoiced. Punkin, was with us for sixteen years. I am happy for the wonderful memories of her I hold in my heart. We had many adventures with Punkin.

My younger daughter wanted a dog of her own when she turned 18. We went to the dog pound, and she picked out Honey. She wanted to rescue the entire litter. I had to be the bad guy and insist on only bringing one home. Punkin and Honey hit it off right away. It was fun to see them romp and play together. It was more entertaining than any TV show.

When Punkin crossed the rainbow bridge, I still had Honey for a few more years. They dogs left their paw prints on my heart. It took a little while before I was ready for another dog. I decided to rescue senior Brittany’s because even though I knew I wouldn’t have them as long, I wanted to give a dog in need a good home.

This post is going on far too long. I have so much to say about Miles and Davey my senior citizen dogs. I need to check and see if I have blogged about them before. I think I have.

Dogs are as important to my life as breathing. How about you?

 

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