Pets

This post is coming out of the blue! Quite often when I sit to write something I've been thinking about, an observation or something hot in the news that disturbs or interests me, is what enters my head to get the writing started but tonight I'm just reflecting on owning pets. It seems a bit weird for this topic to enter my head as I sit in a hotel room to be thinking about pets but that's what is invading my brain.

I grew up with pets. We always had a dog and it was always small. The dog I grew up with was Beau. He was a miniature poodle that we got when we moved to California. I was in third grade and Beau was my best friend. He lived into my college days as a deaf, mostly blind, smelly old dog. It didn't matter how nasty he got he was a part of the family and I couldn't imagine not having him.

During those years we had an occasional cat, bird, hamster, gerbil, and even rabbits. My parents were pretty agreeable about our pets. Even though others came and went Beau lasted the longest. My dad enjoyed having a dog around but he and Mom had found it much easier to be child and pet free once we all left.

Once I married I wanted pets again. Bruce had not been raised with pets due to his brother's allergies. When we got our first cat, Homer, he broke out in hives and showed every sign of being allergic. With a lot of Benadryl and acclimation he adjusted and lived in harmony with Homer. She lived to the ripe old age of 17! During that time we tried a dog. Not a good match for Bruce. I was convinced he'd come around but instead I changed my feelings. I very much enjoyed my cats but dogs were just too needy. They expected too much and were vocal or acted out when they didn't get what they wanted. Cats on the other hand just expected regular feeding and a cozy lap on their terms.

Over the years I realized that I might not be one of those people who needs something extra to need or rely on me. Dogs are constantly reminding you that they need attention and want to be noticed. Like a toddler they follow you around, get vocal when you turn your back, make demands and get naughty when those demands aren't met. I don't need that!

I've decided if I am going to have a pet it will always be a cat. I used to tell Bruce that if he died I would get a dog. I'm sure that is not the case anymore (hopefully I won't have to face that anytime soon!). We currently have two cats, Cleo (15), and Sadie (10). I realize it won't be long before these two will no longer be with us. As I contemplate this I think about our life as we age. Children are mostly out of the nest and next the cats will be in their next hunting ground which will leave just Bruce and me in the house together. I'm not sure this prospect bothers me nor do I think it will be necessary to have pets.

Once again I am wondering what brought this to the top of my list for thinking about and writing about as I sit in my hotel room in Durham, NC in February! I know I won't get any argument from Bruce when I admit that a pet free house won't be out of the question.