Day One Hundred Fourteen

It's Complicated

 

I honestly don't know what it is with people acquiring pets, knowing they have such a short life span, compared to humans. Each loss is terrible. Despite this, I am not happy without a houseful of various animals surrounding me. They can be messy, annoying and heartbreaking. But they are also funny, loving and interesting. I actually prefer the company of animals to most people.

I have written on several occasions how the creatures in this house lose their minds when our grandkids are here for a few days. They all vie for my attention as though I have only so much to go around and they want to get their share before it runs out. They also show off. The entire time the kids are here, they are a manic mess. Then, as soon as the kids walk out the front door, everybody passes out from exhaustion - including Gigi.

Jack always surprises me. My husband and I have both cautioned the kids that Jack is a guard dog, and they are to treat him as such. That means no running around him, no jumping on him - especially when he's sleeping - and no treats tossed on the floor for winner takes all. But kids will be kids, and they forget the rules sometimes. They will approach a sleeping Jack and bend down to hug his neck. Now, if one of the cats tries to mess with a snoozing Jack - well - let's just say they only try it once (or in Dash's case - twice.) I hold my breath and prepare to intervene if Jack seems upset.

That's right, cat - you stay way over there.

I worry for naught, because he has never so much as grumbled at either one of them. The only time I've seen him get worked up with a scenario involving the kids is when our son (their father) picks one of them up or wrestles with them. Jack does not like that at all. He tries to separate father and child and only rests when the horseplay stops.

Jack loves his kids

Rooney is also a Bullmastiff, but she lets the guarding part up to Jack. She is a big mush ball who has never growled at anything. You could take food out of her mouth and she would just sit there hoping you give it back. She even let Dash play with her tail like he was stalking a snake. It had to be annoying as hell, but she never complained.

Recently I was asked which of my cats was my favorite. None really. I love them all equally - in that I couldn't choose to let one go. I do have a different relationship with each though, and they have different needs. I have learned who likes to have their face touched (Fancy) and who doesn't (Finn); who likes to be held (Eli, Fancy and Dash) and who would rather just sit near me (Chance and Finn.)

And then there's Fancy, who talks to me all day long. Either I'm losing my mind or he is actually starting to mimic words. I heard him respond to my question, "What do you want?" with, "I don't know." I heard it and I will swear to it. If you don't believe me - well I don't really care. I am happy in my own little world, and that's that.