Pet Memories

We weren't able to have pets in our house growing up, so the closest things we had to pets were the cats and dogs that my aunts and uncles had. I was about five I think when the first cat I'd ever known - my aunt's cat Bert - passed away. I was over at my grandad's house (many of my aunts and uncles still lived with him back then) and even at that young age I could sense that something awful had happened. I then found my aunt sobbing in her bedroom and I couldn't understand a word she was saying so I went downstairs and all the grown ups were talking about Bert dying. It was a very sad day but even though I'd known him for the briefest of moments, I've never forgotten him. And now he's been joined by all the other cats, dogs, fish, and even a ferret who have been pets belonging to someone in the family who have since passed on - and none of them have ever been forgotten.

We loved animals but I didn't really have pets of my own. I think part of the reason is because we lived in places where it wasn't practical to have pets. That's pretty much the situation now much to my boys dismay. However over at my dad and stepmum's house, they were very much 'dog people' with the first one being a German shepherd called Billy. One of my sister's did have a gerbil but by that time, I'd already left home.

This post made me very sad because I immediately thought about my dog Corby who is still back home in England. I've had pets as a kid - we're very much a dog family. Although I do have a cat now! But Corby was very special. He didn't have the best start in life, and he seemed so unloved and alone when I found him. He was also quite malnourished so my then fiancé and I poured all of our love, care and attention into him, and Corby became fit, well, and healthy and his confidence just grew. To cut a very long story short, we weren't able to bring Corby out to America when we moved for a few reasons. People may judge but I know that this was not a decision that we took lightly and because of my husband's job, we had to move. It wasn't just because of seem ambition to move abroad. But we made sure that we found a good, loving home for Corby which was with the family of a good friend of ours so we can see him whenever we're home and we always get photos and updates. Even though I know he's well and happy, I miss him so much of course, and my heart still aches that he's not with us. I can't wait for our next visit home when we're able to see him again and give him lots of cuddles.

We had a St Bernard called Roscommon. I moved out of home when I was 18 but still saw him of course when I went home and visited everyone. People talk about pets being another member of the family and that was the case with Roscommon. We were heartbroken when he died, especially my sister who's the youngest of the family and never knew life before him. I've often wanted to have a pet but as I live alone and I travel a lot especially for work, it wouldn't be ideal. One day I hope.

As a child we always had a pet of some kind in our home. We've had various cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils but not all at the same time of course. We loved animals. We still do. I really couldn't imagine living in a house without pets. Unfortunately we recently lost our not so little pup Chucky and of course it's all so raw and upsetting still, especially for my kids who are trying to come to terms with the only pet they've ever known. But I'd like to think that one day we'll open our home and hearts to a new pet, whatever that might be. But we live in the country where we're surrounded by nature and we love the little creatures that come and visit us. My daughter is also a keen horse rider and loves going to the stables where she has a favourite horse. So my kids are always surrounded by animals even thought they don't officially have a pet now.

Growing up we always had dogs. The first one that I remember was a lab called Topsy. Apparently my brother named him that. Sadly Topsy got real sick and he had to be put to sleep. That devastayted me and my brother. A lot of people say that having pets teaches little kids to love, be responsible, understand loss and grief and how to deal with it. And I can say that it's all true. In fact its my love for dogs that got me working with dogs. I've been a dog sitter, a dog walker and then I eventually got working in animal dermatology.

In my late teens I got two chihuahuas - Galaxy and Rollo. They were my little furry shadows and of course when I moved out of my parents house and into a place of my own, they came with me and definitely helped me feel alot less lonely. They've been with me threw everything: School, first job, first home, boyfriends, getting engaged, getting married. When I eventually lost them it hurt alot. It still does when I think about them but I also remember all the fun times we had together.

I now how two more little chihuahuas. Two girls this time, Jenny and Kyla. I love being a fur mom.

Right now we have the one cat, Cinnamon, and she is my first cat. As a child we usually had dogs - Maddie, Milly, Maggie... I know a lot of M names! 😁 It's no wonder I went for something totally different with Cinnamon! 🐱This is the first pet that my husband and I have owned together. My stepchildren do have a dog over at their mum's house so they kind of have the best of both worlds. I don't know if we'll ever get another dog of our own, and I'm definitely open to that. But for now we're very happy with Cinnamon the cat!