Petless - for the first time in 43 years

In memory of all my beautiful pets - Rae Hamilton

My family of pets started with a beautiful seal point siamese, pre-children, in 1967. It was love at first site from both our points of view. He used to bring me a procession of gifts from around the neighbourhood. Once a large pennant flag and another time he arrived like the pied piper with two kittens in tow. It broke my heart when he developed a terminal disease 11 years later, and by then the die was cast. I had to be surrounded by other lovely creatures. Four more cats and two dogs over the next 30+ years. Until finally at Easter this year, my 16 year old Jack Russell faded after a busy game of soccer with the grandchildren. Even though she could hardly see and could hear less, she wouldn't be dissuaded from getting in amongst the team. Altogether too much for her old heart and we had to say goodbye.

I can't believe it, I still see patches of white out of the corner of my eye and think it is her. Where to from here in a creatureless environment? Probably a gap of a few years and then no doubt I will find myself trolling the pet shops as once smitten by the devotion of dogs and the comfort of the more aloof feline, a string of treasured photographs just doesn't make the cut somehow.

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Sheila Weinstein says ...

I know just how you feel. I had to put my little yorkie to sleep last year after years of illness, diabetes, a collapsed trachea, enlarged liver and heart and on and on. He was blind in the end but found his way around the apartment amazingly well and he broke my heart with his courage. I still cannot bear to come into my house and not hear him scampering to meet and greet me. I would so love another little dog but at the age I am, having lost so much in my life, I don't think I can bear to love and lose another pet. I'm going to travel a bit and when I'm over that maybe I will break down and rescue a little dog... one who needs me as much as I need him or her. Time will tell.

Posted on Mar 28 @ 04:57 AM

Andrea says ...

I lasted one year petless after several cats one after the other! Finally gave in on a Mothers Day and visited the SPCA for another lovely moggy. Loved Puddy so much, but she developed cancer at 9 years old and I had to let her go. I was thinking of having a break from pets again, so I could go on holidays and not worry about them. However walking up to my house, teary eyed and holding my empty cat cage, one of the nighbours loved cats decided they wanted me to adopt them. Bubbles didnt much like being in a multi-cat household and after several weeks of visiting us, a friendly chat with her owner and we decided she could stay. I now don't have to worry about going on holiday as her 'first parents' happily feed her in my absence. Maybe next time, like 8-10 years, I will be petless again - and then have a chance to take a longgggg holiday. But in the meantime, its a genuine shared love - and I wouldnt be without it.

Posted on Nov 14 @ 02:07 PM

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Petless - for the first time in 43 years

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