THE REST OF THE FAMILY

Last week I introduced you to Jamie's and Wil's cat and fish, Junior and Oscar.  I promised I'd introduce the rest of the pets this week.  My nephew TJ and his wife Wendy have two dogs, two cats and a horse.  They live in Ceres, CA which is right down the road about eight miles; that would be like driving from school to the Food Lion in Norlina.  However, instead of driving through the country, we drive through the city.  Out here, you never know where one town ends and another begins because it is all houses and businesses.  LOTS OF TRAFFIC!


First let me introduce you to the dogs, Shiloh and Bella.  Both are German Shepherds, both females, both sweet and playful with LOTS of energy. 

SHILOH



BELLA

Bella and Shiloh are sisters, but Shiloh was chosen from the litter at 6 weeks and delivered a couple of months latter.  Bella lived her first 15 months in a cage in someone's garage. When she came to them, she could not stand erect as she had to crouch all the time in the cage.  For this reason, her feet looked webbed since she never stood on her pads.  They were not sure that she would stand upright much less be able to run which she loves to do.  One week after they brought her home, she contracted parvo virus and distemper from one of two causes, the absence of shots or bad vaccines.  She spent almost two weeks in the hospital and the doctors did not expect her to survive.  She is a fighter; you would never guess that she has been through so much.  

Since their lives started our so differently, their personalities are vastly different. Shiloh is very calm and sure of herself.  Bella is high strung and always seems to be afraid of being left out.  They will turn 2 in November.

In addition to the dogs, we have the cats, Butter and Binky.  They pretty much rule!  Butter was found in a cage in the rain, soak and wet, and covered in fleas.  When they went to pick up a kitten they had agreed to take since the mother did not have any milk and the family could no longer bottle feed the whole litter, they asked to see the mother.  Escorted outside, there lay Butter soaked and shivering.   They brought her home as well.   She was two at the time.  Butter is now 10. 

Binkey was also a rescue.  He was found in the bushes by a friend when he and his litter mates were about 4 weeks old. He turned one this last summer.



BUTTER

BINKY AT THE WATERING HOLE

Last to be introduced is the big guy, Drama.  He is the oldest of the pets and actually used to live in Manson, NC.  Say hello.  Drama was born on October 15, 2003; she just turned 8 years old.  Horses, if well cared for, can live into their mid to late 30's.

DRAMA

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!  Happy Saturday!