Our 4-Legged Family Members

Over the years I have had pets which of course I felt were as smart as some people.
As a young girl, I had a yellow long-hair cat that I named Precious. He was my best friend. Mom and Daddy wasn't fond of animals in the house so our pets during our youth were outside friends. Although, I wanted to bring Precious in during the winter or a rain storm, daddy had me convinced that "the cat" wanted to stay outside.
I had a wire basket on the front of my 20-inch, turquoise, Schwinn bicycle. I would place a small doll blanket at the bottom of the basket, and Precious would lay in the basket as long as I rode the bicycle. Which during the warmer days would be hours. He never budged. He would take the bumps and turns as well as I.
One summer day, Precious jumped out after I came to a stop, and he got his leg caught on the side of the basket. His leg was broke we were sure. When I was little, a veterinarian was called for the farm animals. Cats and dogs although they gave much joy, they didn't bring in money. Precious came up missing and we found him dead near a pond several yards east of the house. I was devastated. My family tried to console me, but I swore I would never have another pet.
After my daddy died in 1967, we moved into the town of Callao. Mom allowed for me to have a black long-hair male cat that I named Oreo. Oreo was a house cat. He would sit on the back of a chair that was near the front door, and as soon as I walked into the room he would jump onto my shoulders and ride there until I would remove him. We had him a few years, before he developed a kidney disease and died. Again I was left with no four-legged friend.
During my 20s I chose a dog. Peanuts was half dachshund, and half poodle. Not a good looking dog, but she had a very sweet personality. She was the first animal that I owned that visited the veterinarian. She had her own little file at the vets. She got her shots, and we had her "fixed". One day while outside, she got hurt somehow. I thought it was by a bigger dog. We rushed her to the vet and she had stitches. We brought her home, I put a blanket on the soft grass in a shaded area and placed her on it. I stayed with her until she came around from the anesthesia She was my friend, my comrade. She had several toys but she loved a clown squeaky toy the best. I would carry on a conversation with her and she never broke eye contact. I was her pet. After having her many years she died of cancer. Again a hole was left in my heart.
 Today we have two cats that own us.

 Dodger: He got his name because the night we got him he kept going under the seats in the car. He would dodge our attempts to pick him up. He became the Artful Dodger. He was so cute. He is quiet. The only time he meows is when it is time for his treat. Then it is a raspy sound. His nickname is "Bob Cat" because Bob is who he wants to hang with. Bob trips over him at least twice a week because he follows so close.

Boots: He has a personality all of his own. He is a black and white long-hair. He received his name because of his four white hairy feet. His nickname is "Grinch" because of the hair that grows between his toes and he is standoffish. We belong to him. He doesn't seek affection until he is ready. Since my cancer diagnoses, he does get on my lap or lays at the bottom of the bed while I am resting. He meows at the drop of a hat. Constantly. In the morning he thinks his goal is to wake first, Chelsey, then Bob and I. He will continue to cry until he gets his snack.

They are a part of our home. Although we have to vacuum and collect hair everyday, they have given us a great amount of joy. I have a couple of pillows that read, "If you want the best seat in the house, you have to move the cat!" and "Happiness is being owned by a cat."
Pets are a wonder. They can aggravate, humble and delight you in the same day. They become a part of your homes decor. When they find a favorite spot to lay, like where the sun casts its warmth across the floor, or on the back of a chair, it is hard to think about what it would be like if they were not there.

Our little friends. Genesis 2:26 talks about God making man after his own image and having them rule over the creatures on the earth. I keep reading this to Boots and Dodger and I believe they feel their parts are closer to man, and we are the ones creeping on the earth to be managed.