Fuzzy babies
I got a lovely little note about my profile pic today and it got me thinking about my fuzzy children. I know, that a bit more smoopzy than I usually get, but pets have always been part of the family for me, and frankly, several occasions where they were the only family members I was willing to be around.
My main profile pic is Shanook. I got him through a friend of a friend situation when I lived in Fort Collins. Basically, Shanook had originally been a present for this woman's boyfriend, who then became her ex, but he never changed the registration tags. So, as many Huskies do, Shanook decided to go for a run one day and managed to lose where his house was. When he was found, they called this woman, who's son was allergic to pretty much everything with fur. So, there I was, out on the edge of town on a rental property on a horse ranch, with a large yard and a roommate terrified that she would be murdered in her sleep without a guard dog. He's been a part of the family ever since, which was back in 2003.
A few months ago, we found his original breeder. Dad was doing a property inspection for this lovely lady that breeds huskies. As Dad was looking over her picture wall, he saw one that looked awfully familiar. I will say Dad has a ton of picutres on his phone of Shanook and his adopted brother Shadow because, while he wouldn't admit it, there's not much he wouldn't do for those two goofballs. Breeder lady tells Dad about 'Buddy' and the dumbass that never changed his registration, lost him, and then wanted another puppy, preferably for free but he'd accept a large discount. Needless to say, dumbass left with nothing, but breeder lady always wondered what happened to 'Buddy' and if he was safe and happy. Cue Dad pulling out his phone. "Does he look familiar?" Joy and excitement all around.
I've owned several animals over the years.... 5 dogs, 3 cats, 1 ferret, 2 finches, 3 parakeets, and a bunch of fish (which includes a little comet that grew to be about 10 inches long, and has been around about a decade now...he is a franken-fish). Looking back, through the worst moments of my life, there has always been a small or large ball of fluff insisting on snuggles during those dark hours, and suddenly, shit's still bad, but it could be a lot worse. Because the world can't be over while there's loves and pets left to give.
Now that Calvin has his place mostly set up, he wants to start the shared custody of the kitties. Yes, there are times I want to hog-tie them and stash them in the basement (using me as a springboard at 3 am in an effort to catch a moth comes to mind) but the thought of not having my fuzzies with me is terrifying. I'm not sure which is scarier, the thought that Calvin and I might not work through this crap and I'll have to re-enter the dating pool or not having my fuzzy children. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm pretty sure it's option B. I'm not sure what the realization says about my relationship with Calvin, but at least I know I'm not alone. Several friends have also stated the if it comes to choosing between the significant other or their dog/cat, their S.O. will loose. But these S.O.'s seem to acknowledge and embrace their reality. And while I know I'm sharing them, not losing them, I still can't help but feel... nervous and very alone.
My main profile pic is Shanook. I got him through a friend of a friend situation when I lived in Fort Collins. Basically, Shanook had originally been a present for this woman's boyfriend, who then became her ex, but he never changed the registration tags. So, as many Huskies do, Shanook decided to go for a run one day and managed to lose where his house was. When he was found, they called this woman, who's son was allergic to pretty much everything with fur. So, there I was, out on the edge of town on a rental property on a horse ranch, with a large yard and a roommate terrified that she would be murdered in her sleep without a guard dog. He's been a part of the family ever since, which was back in 2003.
A few months ago, we found his original breeder. Dad was doing a property inspection for this lovely lady that breeds huskies. As Dad was looking over her picture wall, he saw one that looked awfully familiar. I will say Dad has a ton of picutres on his phone of Shanook and his adopted brother Shadow because, while he wouldn't admit it, there's not much he wouldn't do for those two goofballs. Breeder lady tells Dad about 'Buddy' and the dumbass that never changed his registration, lost him, and then wanted another puppy, preferably for free but he'd accept a large discount. Needless to say, dumbass left with nothing, but breeder lady always wondered what happened to 'Buddy' and if he was safe and happy. Cue Dad pulling out his phone. "Does he look familiar?" Joy and excitement all around.
I've owned several animals over the years.... 5 dogs, 3 cats, 1 ferret, 2 finches, 3 parakeets, and a bunch of fish (which includes a little comet that grew to be about 10 inches long, and has been around about a decade now...he is a franken-fish). Looking back, through the worst moments of my life, there has always been a small or large ball of fluff insisting on snuggles during those dark hours, and suddenly, shit's still bad, but it could be a lot worse. Because the world can't be over while there's loves and pets left to give.
Now that Calvin has his place mostly set up, he wants to start the shared custody of the kitties. Yes, there are times I want to hog-tie them and stash them in the basement (using me as a springboard at 3 am in an effort to catch a moth comes to mind) but the thought of not having my fuzzies with me is terrifying. I'm not sure which is scarier, the thought that Calvin and I might not work through this crap and I'll have to re-enter the dating pool or not having my fuzzy children. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm pretty sure it's option B. I'm not sure what the realization says about my relationship with Calvin, but at least I know I'm not alone. Several friends have also stated the if it comes to choosing between the significant other or their dog/cat, their S.O. will loose. But these S.O.'s seem to acknowledge and embrace their reality. And while I know I'm sharing them, not losing them, I still can't help but feel... nervous and very alone.