When I met Wanda she was living with, several cats, two dogs, two rabbits, two birds, and a daughter. After going out and getting to know one another I made a suggestion, get rid of the daughter.
The dogs were a black lab and golden retriever mix. They "belonged" to the ex spouse but Wanda was responsible for them. The dogs, thirteen years old, would move when he found a suitable home. Wanda also had temporary custody of the birds. The rabbits had the run of the backyard. Believe it or not they would sleep with the dogs. The cats lived wherever they pleased, as most cats do.
Eventually the household menagerie thinned out. Daughter Jennifer was extremely independent and within a year of graduating high school was out on her own. The dogs ultimately succumbed to old age after living out their days with Wanda. Her once husband never did find a suitable home. The rabbits went the way of the dogs and we found a new, excellent home for the birds.
Our situation with the cats was very different. We all fell into an unspoken but agreed upon arrangement. Wanda and I continued to feed, groom, clean up after and love the cats. The cats allowed us access to the house and helped keep us happy and healthy.
Many of our Face Book friends (and we do too) post about animals. Treatment and rescue are very popular topics. I have very strong opinions about humans that mistreat animals, I think they should get what they gave, double.
On our first Alaska trip we rode the White Pass & Yukon train. In gold rush days it took prospectors from Skagway to the Yukon. A trip that took weeks was reduced to hours. On the train we heard about The Dead Horse Trail, used before the completion of the railway. It got the name from the many horses that died along the way. Men also lost their lives but it was not called The Dead Guy Trail.
We didn't care much about the people but were angry about the animals. Yes, it's sad that men never returned to their homes and loved ones. But humans are supposed to have the ability to think, reason, and make informed decisions. All of this was their choice, the horses didn't have the same considerations. A thousand men died during the height of the gold rush, oh well. A hundred horses, pass the Kleenex.
I can watch a movie like "The Bucket List" and not shed a tear. But, "My Dog Skip" or "Marley and Me" and I need a box of tissue. I also shed a tear or two watching "Steel Magnolias" Terms Of Endearment" and "Escape From New York."......OK, not that one.
Both of us have always felt resposible for animals. Over the years we have put things off or gone without, but, we wouldn't have it any other way.
Wanda is only working one day this week. Her boss man and his wife went to a dental convention and now are on a cruise. We both enjoy her off time but it is a bit of a problem. She has to juggle vacation, holiday and sick time since they take off so often. She has been at the same location for twenty years, the last sixteen for this fellow. I can't complain, I could have gone to mortuary science school.
Time to go hang with my Wanda......have a great Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment