Tag: pets

Friends of #FurkidFriday – Twiggy and Lucy Visit Lilie the Westie at Victoria and Kelly Zigler’s Blog

~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

 

Tori and Kelly
Tori and Kelly

Today Lilie the Westie is hosting an interview with Lucy and Twiggy at Tori Zigler’s blog.

Here is the link

https://ziglernews.blogspot.com/2019/12/friends-of-furkidfriday-lucy-and-twiggy.html

As you may know, Victoria is a prolific writer and lover of animals.

Here is her profile

Victoria/Tori
My name is Victoria, but most of my friends and family call me Tori. Feel free to do the same.

Born in the shadow of the black mountains in Wales, I now live by the sea in the south-east of England with my husband, Kelly, and our furkids.

Having battled with glaucoma since birth, I now find myself completely blind. But I haven’t let that stop me from chasing the dream I’ve had since I was a young child: the dream of becoming a published author. I’ve loved to read and write since I learned how, and always wanted to get my work published. Finally, in 2012, I made that dream come true by self-publishing the first of my books as an eBook via Smashwords. Several more titles have been published since, with paperbacks and audio books also being made available. So now I’m a published author of several poetry collections, as well as a long list of children’s stories.

I’m just as happy exercising the logical side of my brain as the creative side of it, so would describe myself as a combination of Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter books: Hermione’s thirst for knowledge and love of books, combined with Luna’s wandering mind and alternative way of looking at the world. A couple of people have agreed with that description of me, so I feel I’m justified in using it.

Read more about me, and learn about my hobbies and interests, on our website’s “About Victoria” page, which can be found at http://zigler.co.uk/victoria.htm.

Kelly
My name is Kelly, and I was born in Canada, but now live in a town near the sea in the South of England with my wife, Tori, and our pets.

Read more about me, and learn about my hobbies and interests, on our website’s “About Kelly” page, which can be found at http://zigler.co.uk/kelly.htm.

And information about her Furkids.

The Furkids

Our current furkids are a degu named Joshua, a chinchilla named Mollie, a West Highland White Terrier named Lilie, and a Cavapoo named Logan.

Read about those furkids, as well as all our past pets – whether they were only with us temporarily, or ours was their forever home – on our website’s pet section, which can be found here. You can even check out our pets by species by going directly to the pages for birds, cats, chinchillas, degus, dogs, fish, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, or rats.

Visit Tori’s place to find out what Lucy has to say and to learn more about Victoria and Kelly

 

 

Happy is as Happy Does

~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments
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CoCo demands a treat BEFORE being brushed not after
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Lucy is thinking about maybe going for a walk if the sun is not too bright

Wednesday arrives and with it some nice news about one of my fur family members. All our pets are rescues and in one way or another found us as caregivers.

Our Boxer came to us through the Austin Boxer Rescue organization where my wife was volunteering as a foster mom. Her name is Lucy and she had been struck by a car on the streets of San Antonio. She had been pretty well cared for, but was abandoned. She has taken over our couch and bed for the last two years.

Our Silky Terrier CoCo came to us through the San Antonio Animal shelter. She had also been abandoned and left on her own for about five weeks or so. She has been with us for six years.

The good news is CoCo has had her second cancer surgery in the last twelve months. The reason this is good news; CoCo is a very happy, full of life, dog who deserves all the chances she can get for a full life. Once out of surgery, she is as normal as when she went in. Oh yes, we need to give her some medicine and remind her not to scratch, but for all intents and purposes she is the same.

Why I mention this is, if she were any different and if her quality of life no longer remained high, I would do what every responsible pet lover should do and that is cease the extraordinary measures to keep her alive. I made the decision to wait and see how she was after surgery and I am delighted that she is happy and carefree.

Should the tumors return I will do extraordinary measures until such time as it is no longer a loving act.

Some folks must wonder why people place such a premium on the health and welfare of their pets. There could be criticism by those who think animals are not worthy of our concern. I can understand how they feel, but my position is a living being can teach humans a lesson in mercy, grace, and selfless concern for others. These are all things if kept in mind, humans and animals alike would be better off.

A friend of mine who was dying of cancer said to me before he passed, “the only good thing about this is I won’t have to outlive my pets.” Sometimes I wish we could all have pets that outlived us instead of the other way around.

Happy Hump Day Y’all.

Lucy is as Lucy Does

~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

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I wrote this poem a while ago when we rescued our Boxer named Lucy. She had been run over by a car and needed tender care. Today she is a happy, healthy, joy filled dog. She loves life and humans and I have always wondered why someone would turn her loose. So this poem is my humble way of recognizing the strong heart of this beautiful fur child. There is no special reason to post it now other than I feel very fortunate to have her in my life.

Lucy by John W. Howell © 2013

She started her life as a battered child,

Let loose on the streets and hit by a car.

It was not her fault since she knew nothing,

Of what a ton of steel on wheels could do.

She is all white with two brown spots,

And recovered with the best of care.

She is friendly and kind without a single trace,

Of the hatred that she could rightfully show.

Whoever turned her out to live or die on the street,

Is the unfortunate one for not having her love each day.

They are the poorer for having been denied,

The joy, love, happiness and life of Lucy.

Every day she is ready to share in living,

With the innocence born of security and love.

Rescue is as Rescue Does

~ John W. Howell

Today’s post is a little different in that I normally write about authors and fiction, but am creating a little scenario that I wish could happen.  As background; my wife volunteers for the San Antonio Chapter of Austin Boxer Rescue. This organization rescues unwanted and usually abused Boxers from being euthanized and finds them new homes. Sometimes the dogs are in such bad shape they do not survive, in spite of, massive efforts by veterinarians, care givers and foster parents. Yesterday, a rescue named Jackpot succumbed to the neglect of his owners before he could be permanently placed. The two letters that follow are fiction, but represent what I wish could take place. If you want to find out more about ABR here is a link to the website: www.austinbokerrescue.com  and Facebook: www.facebook,com/AustinBoxerRescue?fref=ts

San Antonio SAMS ministry Shelter

February 1, 2013

Dear Jackpot,

I am having the nice case worker here write this letter since you probably don’t know I can’t read or write. She is also helping with some of the words so if this doesn’t sound like me you will understand.

Your mom and I finally found a place to live in San Antonio. We were sorry that the authorities decided that we were no longer fit to keep you, and took you from us. I know it must be hard living with others, but I hope you know that if it was our decision, you would be still with us. It was a terrible thing to have people come into our home and rip you away, but I understand your foster home is pretty nice and the people seemed real dedicated to your welfare. Anyway, this is just a temporary setback and we will get together again I am sure.

This place is real nice.  The people are kind and at least we are warm and have something to eat. Speaking of that, you sure looked a little thin the last time I saw you. Are you getting something to eat there? I know mom and I sometimes forgot to give you food, but since you are pretty young, I don’t think it will matter. Do you have a yard to play in? Ours was so small we had to keep you on a chain and I am sorry about not letting you in the house. Mom couldn’t stand the smell that dogs have so I know you will understand.  Do they let you come in there?

Let us know how you are.

Poppy and Mommy

Austin Boxer Rescue San Antonio

February 10, 2013

Dear Poppy and Mommy,

I also have someone writing this letter to you. She is my foster mom and if I don’t sound like myself it is because I am not.

I wanted to send you a note immediately when I got yours, but I have been having a little difficulty keeping my thoughts together. I think I can now respond to your letter and to the life I had while I was with you. It has taken the kind of care that I have received since I arrived here, to make me realize that I was not responsible for how you and mommy treated me.

My foster mom actually touches me in a loving way. I was scared at first because when she reached for me I thought she was going to hit me like I have become accustomed to with you. I jerked away from her. She did not choke me with a chain or wire, and tie me on the tree in the backyard. She calmly talked to me and then gave me a bath. She started crying when she saw the extent of my neglect and the love for her swelled within me. It was the same kind of love I had for you when I first came to be with you.

I have been given food and medical treatment and a place to sleep on a soft cushion in the master’s bedroom. I never realized that food is something that needs to be eaten every day. The pain in my stomach has finally gone away and I can eat without getting sick.  I don’t know why I thought you and Mommy cared for me and why I continued to care for you. Besides the chain and lack of food, you never played ball or catch and we never laughed and jumped. I wish right now I could do more, but I am still too sick to really play with my new family although they ask me.

As far as coming back to you; my foster mom tells me that will never happen. I am now being prepared to be adopted into my forever home and as soon as I am healthy enough I will go there. I can’t help but feel relief that I won’t have to face the pain again.

I am glad you and mom have food and a warm place. This is the first time I can say the same about me. I need to go now as there are some more tests that need to be done and my foster mom needs to take me to the vet. I cannot ever remember going to the vet with you. Maybe my memory is fading.

Goodbye,

Jackpot

This is Jackpot’s foster mom:

Jackpot’s troubles are over. Tonight he went over the rainbow bridge after suffering cardiac arrest. His heart muscle was weakened by starvation and neglect. He was surrounded by loving and caring people who were saddened by his passing. The one good aspect; Jackpot’s last days were spent experiencing love, comfort and caring. It is too bad that they were so few. You should be forgiven for treating Jackpot as poorly as you did, but this is why I am not a god. I don’t have the heart to do so. I can hope you never are blessed with another dog. You have abused the privilege.