Meet The Family.

So now it's time to meet the family, and the reasons I'm doing what I'm doing. These are the animals that I've met or lived with since I was young, who have made big impacts on my life. Pictures will be added as I dig them up. 

Lollyspot

Previously, I've had one cat as "my" pet, who was a gray Ocicat named Lollyspot. She joined my family in 1995, and was a core member until her death at the age of 17 early in 2010. Lolly is one of the major factors behind my love for all things feline, because she was a constant presence in my childhood and adolescence. She even came flatting with me, as an old lady cat of 15, and put up with the indignities of moving with...well, with a lot of noise, actually. She used to serenade us in the car, with a mournful "maouw" every two seconds. Yep, we counted.

Clockwise from left: Fog, Princess,
 Coffee, Sugar, and Tea

I've also been co-Mum to a band of five rats, who were named Tea, Coffee, Sugar, Princess, and Fog, as well as Squiggle, who unfortunately died very young. Although they were only part of my life for a year and a half before housing difficulties prevented me from keeping them any longer, they made a big impact on my love for animals, showing me that even small critters can have big hearts.


Other pets in the family have included Sophie, my grandparent's first dog of my childhood, who was the most placid animal I have ever come across. She was a Golden Retriever, and she also lived to be 17, which is a testament to the fantastic care that she received in life. Sophie has been the champion of my love of dogs, and it's a hopeful dream of mine that the dogs I plan to look after will be as gentle and as kind as she was.

My grandparents also had Katie, a rescued Dachshund from the SPCA, after Sophie passed on. Katie was an affectionate dog, but was sadly plagued with health issues - heart problems, reoccurring gastric issues, and later, cancer. A common joke was that their cheap SPCA find had become a little more expensive than bargained for, but my grandparents never spared a cent treating her concerns, and as such, she outlived expectations by over a year and a half, thanks to their (and their vet's) exceptional care.

Currently they have downsized yet again, and are now caring for a Miniature Dachshund named Tess. Tess is a funny dog. For her small stature, she certainly has a strong bond of loyalty to them, and doesn't hesitate to bark at people many times her size, though she's all talk and will gradually settle down. She's a little bit neurotic, and a little bit shy, but she loves my grandparents dearly, and they treasure her as well.

Max as a slightly younger puppy

My mother has recently purchased a Border Collie pup, named Max. He's around six months old, and is a bundle of energy and fun. He knows a few basic tricks already, though she doesn't plan on doing field trials or extensive training with him. They live near a very large park, so he gets lots of exercise, and has been very well behaved so far.

Indi as a puppy

In addition, my cousin has a Golden Labrador named Indi, who fits the typical Lab mould. She's a bit of a nutter, but good-hearted. Being a year and a bit old now, she might have settled down - but I doubt it!

Zak, nuttiest of nutty Labs

Another pet of major interest was that of my (human) best friend; another Lab named Zak. Zak had been returned to the pet store for being too boisterous, and he certainly lived up to his reputation. He would barrel around their property, jumping up on people in absolute glee, and was another of the friendliest dogs I have come across. He's 13 now, and has a variety of health concerns with joints, lipomas, and some throat problems, but his family takes the best care of him possible, and are prepared that he may not be around for very much longer.

The animals I'm living with currently have also been helpful on my way to vet nursing, though I met both after I had started my course. There's Tish, a former stray, who is a small, compact black and white moggy with a squeaky meow. She had been abused previous to coming here, and is still frequently shy, but responds excellently to kind behaviour. She's about nine.

And there's also Mikey, who is three. He was chosen from the SPCA when he was a kitten, mostly due to his good personality and charming looks. He's a very dapper gentleman, with a gray coat and white mustache. He's a large cat, though there's not much fat on him, and his favourite resting place is draped across the shoulders of a family member - head always on the left.

Last but not least are the animals I shared my earliest years with. Though I don't remember them well, I lived on a farm on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia briefly, and we had all manner of critters running about. From ducks, chickens and geese, to more exotic birds like our cockatoo and Australian parrots, from dogs and cats to rabbits, the polocross and riding horses that were the purpose of the farm, and the various short-lived 'pets' that my eldest brother caught routinely on the property (including a blue-tongue lizard for a single afternoon before it escaped), my early introduction to animals whetted my appetite, and made me want to know more.

These animals have all shaped me in some way, and have all made their individual impacts on how I see the world. Without them I would not be doing the course I am today, and I would not be having as much fun as I am today.