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JACQUELINE HOUCHIN's avatar

I've been married almost 60 years (Feb. 1st) and we have had dogs and cats all that time. When we moved or Orange County, CA, we had 4 cats. One by one they died, living very long lives. Now at 78 (hubby is 81) we have decided not to get another cat, thinking it would outlive us. We are very active and healthy, but it was my Hubby's decision. Now, I think (after reading an article) that my trouble sleeping at night is for lack of a warm, purring cat next to me in bed. Sigh. I wish......

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Sheryl Smith's avatar

I love hearing your stories about Leeza. I haven't been very successful in the dog department. When I was a little girl, my dad bought me a black Labrador retriever puppy. I remember driving a long time to go to someone's house to get him. I loved that dog so much. But, soon my parents split up and mom did not want to deal with the dog so he went with my dad. Soon thereafter, an unfortunate accident took his life.

A few years ago, my son decided to get a dog from the shelter and Brodie entered our lives. He was about five, a chocolate Lab (maybe a mix), who was as mellow as mellow could be. His owner had died and there was a line of people wanting to adopt him. We got there first. He really was the perfect house dog. He wasn't excitable, didn't bark a lot, didn't jump on people and got along with the cats. But, he was terrified of men and from, the get go adopted me instead of my son. He followed me everywhere I went and laid at my feet when I sat. He did not like being outside, did not run around the yard and did not know what to do with a ball. He did, though, bury his rawhide bones. I felt sad for him.

It seems like I always had a cat growing up. There was Smokey who broke his leg and had to wear a cast that he somehow managed to escape. Back then we didn't automatically fix our cats and he was a tom cat through and through. I learned a lot about first aid from his adventures. Before him and after him were a series of cats I don't even remember. It seems that they would last a year or less, many of them having been hit by cars. There was one kitten we had that was a bit wild. He sunk his nails into our neighbor's rear end when she was visiting with my mom. Of course, I found it hilarious. The adults did not.

When I was grown and out of the house, my best friend's cat had kittens and I had to have one. She was a calico and the 2nd to climb out of her box (the first one out had already been taken). She was a charmer and a stinker. The only cat I successfully trained. She knew she was not allowed in my office so she would stand at the threshold with her front paws just barely over the line. She died in my arms after giving my chest one last lick. She was one of a kind.

When my kids were young, my son heard something in the shed. He and his dad investigated and found 3 almost newborn kittens. Dad asked what to do with them, thinking shelter-wise. I, however, said this was a great opportunity for our kids and we kept and raised the kittens. We learned how to tube and then bottle feed, how to clean them like their mama would. My son (the one who had Brodie) bonded with the calico of the litter. My other son and I like the grey (another female) and the ginger tabby (a male) was sort of everybody's cat, but he did seem to tend toward my husband. All 3 died within about a year of each other, when they were around 15/16.

My son and daughter then adopted shelter cats that were both 4. One is normal and the other definitely has a screw loose. My son is contemplating getting another dog. This time around, I am thankful they are grand-fur babies and I'm off the hook. All of these animals have definitely enriched my life. It amazes me how their personalities are so strong and unique. Who knows? Maybe when my last 2 kids are gone I may get my own cat again. I want a cuddler this time around.

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