I have always thought that a house without animals in it feels somewhat sterile and less homely. I grew up in a home with dogs, a cat, rats (tame ones), hamsters, mice, a rabbit, goldfish and a guinea pig (not all at once I have to add).
As an adult, I also wanted to enjoy the benefits of pet ownership. I wanted my children to have companions, they nagged me for them too. There is no denying that pets are a huge commitment and, when choosing to home an animal, you actively decide to curtail and limit other activities that you could do with your time.
We are quite a busy family, my children play sports and so when my old Staffordshire Bull terrier passed away at a grand old age (just shy of 15) we didn’t feel we could dedicate the time to a new puppy. We got 2 sibling kittens from the rescue centre and they turned out to be the perfect pets for us. They are not too adventurous, they go out but not for too long each day and they love cuddles. We were very content with our choice and on the days when we had sporting commitments we knew that they had each other and grandparents are just round the corner.
Lockdown came and it was at that point that my daughter started to nag us for a puppy. We were walking a lot (still are) and every person we encountered with a dog made her repeat the same mantra. ‘I want a dog, can we have a dog?’ Initially I refused and reasoned that it wouldn’t suit us but as the weeks went past and she continued to go on about it my resolve began to weaken.
I reviewed our situation; things had changed. My children are both now in their late teens and following college or university timetables. My husband is now working from home and is unlikely to return to the office full time. I work locally and can pop home at lunch if necessary. We have family within a 2 minute walk of our house.
I talked with my daughter and explained that if we got a dog then there may be occasions when she is invited to play sports and we will have to turn it down. The dog will become the priority. I needed her to have that reality check and fully understand what it was she wanted to sign us up for. She still wanted the dog.
We took the plunge. We have a crazy, tiny cross breed who is part Pug, part Jack Russell and half Chihuahua. Today is her first birthday. She’s cuddled up on my bed with me at this precise moment and I simply couldn’t imagine life without her. I have written a poem to celebrate today.
Happy First or Seventh Birthday
Happy first or seventh Birthday
to the pint-sized thief with a strange appetite.
The hoover and collector of twigs and stones
Or wrappers, dirty socks – even smelly tights
Our furry lap warmer, occasional scarf
Wannabe feline. Completely daft!
Piggyback rider and nuisance to the cats
Heartbeat of the family and so much more than that.
A reason to go out each day
Our pelted therapist and shrink
A distraction from life’s ups and downs
Making the longest year zoom past in a blink
Cutely annoying, sneaky yet sweet
She keeps us on our toes
She’s vexxed, charmed, worried and loved us into being
100% smitten with the campanion we chose.
Poetry for Dullards 