Mabel

"...if she chases the ball I'll adopt her". Mabel chased the ball.  The promise I made to the volunteer at ARF was only half hearted. " Yeah, but she's not a very CUTE dog" I told Jill. So I had another condition. " If she goes in the kiddie pool, I'll adopt her". Mabel went into the kiddi pool. "Okay: I said " I'll have to sleep on it and I'll be back". Walking back to the car I got a feeling that Mabel, then named "Rona", was the "one". As it turns out, it was a good decision.

Mable has emotional intelligence and I am so proud of her. She's been a therapy dog to other canines and I've seen her draw out abused dogs to the point where they run and play silly dog games. One neighbor said "I've never seen "Ginger' play like that. Your dog made her come out of her shell.". Exceptional, stoic, wise, sturdy and fun dog Mabel is.  She's a good girl and a lot of fun.

Missy

So I had to get a buddy for Mabel. It was a long search. Stopped by the SPCA one day and saw "no name". She had no history. She stank. She was thin as a rail..She was a nervous wreck. She was cute. Paid a bit extra for grooming that they did not do. The grab bag of the SPCA reared its ugly head shortly after adopting "Missy" (dumb name, I know). She just didn't "get" the doggie door and the whole going potty outside thing. I did the crate training but still, she just didn't understand. About two weeks into it I thought 'this is not my ministry" and planned to take her back to the SPCA. Then, as if Mabel read her the riot act, she "got it". She still stinks like a skunk but she's a fun, energetic, borderline nervous wreck of a dog that is lovable, cute, and increasingly smart.

Krisis

She's  feisty, she's determined and cautious, she's a feral cat....almost  Krisis had a crisis when she was about four weeks old. Seems she was trying to get warm in an engine compartment. Someone started the car and away went her tail. We found her in the bushes covered with grease and her tail bloodied, tendons exposed. She was a mess but now she's a good kitty and does NOT like to be inside the house. She owns the block now and really has been assertive about her territory. But recently she's shared her territory with "Buddy", a feral cat that hangs around my house. Krisis is a cat's cat and lives in a special world under my house. She does sleep with me on occasion when it's really cold outside.

Buddy

Like "Lumpy", Buddy seems to not have a home. I'm pleased because Krisis now has allowed herself to have a friend. But the rules are, Krisis eats first. I see Buddy (I call him Buddy because he looks like one and is Krisis' friend) up to a mile away walking in different yards. Seems he has a system and network of food bowels in my neighborhood. He's a total feral cat and won't let me get closer than about 15 feet. If he only knew I wasn't going to eat him, he could hang out in my house. As it is, he seems perfectly happy to be on the prowl of those food bowls around Fig Garden.

Past friends...

Rooty

After Heidi was abducted there was a big hole in my life. Some were surprised that I didn't get another German Shepherd Dog and, that I got a male dog. But there was something about "Rooty" (his original name was "rowdy") that stole my heart, and everyone else's. He had this way of leaning into you, as if he wanted to be INSIDE you. This endearing quality, along with his super friendly demeanor, made him a big hit in human social circles. He was a bit jealous, though, when I paid attention to other dogs.

I figured he was just a basket case with past abuse issues. But part of it was that he had some thyroid issues and I had to give him medicine. This continued until, one day, his stomach just boated up. I took him to the vet that day and they referred me to the pet emergency where, by way of x-ray, determined that he had some major stomach cancer.So bad, in fact, that there was little hope.

In his usual, happy go-lucky way, he went with the nurse -tail wagging- to get his sodium penethol. I cried like a baby because he was so sweet and he was my best friend for so many years.That's the risk you take when having animals. The pain, however, have to be justified with the joy.

Rooty was a good boy.

Timmy

I loved this cat because he showed me that a cat box was a not necessary evil. He was content staying outside- and at his pleasure, inside- and he always greeted people when they came to my house. Intended to be an indoor cat, he spent every waking moment trying escape. He bolted for the door one day and I didn't see him for several days. When he returned it was clear he would never settle for being an indoor cat. After about 4 years he disappeared. Funny thing is it happened the same time as a neighbor moved. I remember the neighbor telling me how cats belonged indoors over the years and I always had the sense that she thought I was thinking like a caveman for not confining Timmy to a life of safety, albeit life sucking boring, in the house.

Heidi

98 pounds of sweetness, abducted by gardeners we think. TIP: If you have a super friendly, sweet dog, don't put her name on the dog collar.

Lumpy

Smidgen

Sheila

Hazel

Cleo

Other good souls....

Roman Coliseum

This cute little guy is one of the famous "Cats of Rome". He seemed content just hanging around the ancient monument. I witnessed about four people pet him in about 30 minutes.He (or she) was content. I always say that I like cats and love dogs. But this sweetheart almost made me "love" cats. Almost.

Little Baby Possum

This little guy was, for weeks, feeding at my dog's feeder. I would hear him and finally, I caught him on tape. If he only knew that I wanted to keep him as a pet, he would have a nice life. As it is, he IS a possum and soon after taking this photo he disappeared into his underworld.