My Four-Legged, Furry Family

Weekly Photo Challenge: Family

Oskar was first “child,” given to me for my birthday in 1994. My anchor during many emotional storms. Oskar bid his final goodbye July, 2011.

My second “child,” I adopted Princess from a nearby horticultural school that had captured her pregnant feral mother and found homes for her kittens. Princess came home the week Princess Diana was killed and was named after her (sort of.) She succumbed to kidney failure in March 2012.

Sass was our first “child” together. Sass (aka Ennismoor Element of Time) entered our lives in 2002 when she was a four-month-old puppy. She is a champion Rough Collie with three litters to her credit (27 puppies in total ~ many of them champions). She’s “daddy’s girl,” and will be 12 years old in April.

My “dream child.” Bear (aka Shakespeare) galloped into my life in March 2006. He will be 13 years old in June.

Abbey (aka Ennismoor Timeless Classic) is Sass’ daughter from her final litter (2008). She’s “mommy’s girl,” and has two litters (total 14 puppies) of her own, again including many champions. She is the consummate mother, nurturing everything that looks like it needs some of her special brand of love. She washes her mother’s face daily and is particularly fond of (her) cats.

I rescued Indy and his brother JJ in May 2012 after they’d been abandoned as five-week-old kittens in a cardboard box (with their two sisters) by the side of a busy road. A local barn owner took them home and an acquaintance told me about them. Indy picked me.

JJ (Jasper) was rescued along with his brother, Indy. They’re such amazingly sociable cats. The love the dogs. Abbey mothers them.

When the lamb can lie down with the lion I know I’ve done my job … 😉

Oskar was dying and Abbey was mothering him. I’ll never forget this last beautiful afternoon with my little boy and how tender she was with him.

Need I say more …

There are many kinds of family.

For this challenge I’m focusing on my furry, four-legged family.

I do not believe we can “own” animals. I believe that when an animal graces our lives with its presence it is a great blessing and we will be held accountable, at some point, for our stewardship over it.

My little furry family blesses my life in so many ways they cannot be numbered, and I care for them the very best I can in return.

Thank you for visiting …

Dorothy 🙂

~*~

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