Connie, that sucks. A lot.

{{{{bonny}}}}

My animals always found me; this was more setting it in motion than usual for me. I had a Doberman before Brandy and always loved the breed. I thought I would want a long break after Brandy, but there is this empty place in my home that will need to be filled. Still I wish for it and dread it at the same time.

Miss Kitty was a trip to the pet rescue cause I was missing my dog, Honey, who we had to put down a couple of months before. I swore I just wanted to look at the puppies and I ended up coming home with a cat. I tried walking away from her a few times and then finally listened to that voice in my head.

Noodle came to the family after I kept having this strong feeling that Miss Kitty needed a friend. The first few cats we visited with were nice, but just nice. Noodle was IT from the first moment she came into the visitation room. Funny how animals can do that.

I seem to find my pets out shopping. I got the cats when I couldn't find a sofa; eight years later, I went to buy kitty litter and met Frankie.

Mine have almost all been given to me. People moving mostly. Brandy was given to me by a guy who was having a baby and his wife didn't want a dog around. My dobe was from a girl who was moving in with a guy in a no pet apartment. The cat's mom was moving to a place where they have a lot of eagles and she feared the worst. It just happens. My dad worked on road construction projects and people dumped unwanted pets there because they knew some sucker (my dad) would bring them home. Pets find my siblings too. Family tradition.

Bonny, I know it may be too early for you to have another long-term dog BUT ... this morning there was a news report about 100+ dogs rescued from a puppy mill and brought into the local ... humane society, I think. You might consider fostering one - get it socialized, trained, ready to go to someone who can give it a "forever home". It would fill a real need and, if nothing else, give you a distraction. Just a suggestion ....

Aims, have you ever considered visiting Mount Vernon at Christmas? It would be pretty, historical, educational, plus this.

Thanks Todd. You are the second person to mention this opportunity. I'd like to think I can help and may do. I wrote to Gary Weitzman of WARL to find out how I could be of best use. He might assign me to the new puppies.

Puppies are not my preference, to be honest but it may be where I can do the most good. We'll see.

For everyone's comfort, I think I should probably wait until I'm not crying quite so much. Today was less, but this says nothing for tomorrow.

My Boxing Day: today, Ryan met live, active echidnas for the very first time. He was smiling, laughing and squealing with delight. A bunch of other stuff happened, but who cares? (Tonight: Penguin Parade! It's breeding season, there will be chicks.)

When we put him down for his nap, he told us that his favourite animal is the echidna. My boy.

I got Leifur very deliberately to fill an emotional need. My dad was dying, and I went into the local animal shelter and asked them for the most affectionate adult cat they had. After meeting a few who didn't click, I met Leifur and immediately knew he was the one I wanted to take home. He went with me to stay at Dad's apartment for the last days, and was there for me when I'd come back from the hospital every evening. Best decision I ever made.