I still laugh and cheer when
I see the video of that cat tearing into the dog attacking her small owner. I
had a female cat exactly like that! She was a Russian Blue with a white
half-moon on her belly that looked just like a bikini bottom and white markings
on her chest & neck that made her appear to be wearing a halter top. Also
she had white mittens & toes. Tasha was a little beauty we acquired at 10
months of age. Already spayed, that didn’t seem to matter to the neighborhood
Toms. They still came around.
I could almost hear saxophone
music playing as she sashayed down the driveway swinging her saucy little
behind. Meow- wah-wah-waaah! Meow-wah-wah-waaah! However the Toms learned fast
that Tasha wasn’t game for their advances.
My dogs & cats were
never pets. They were family members and fully-empowered canine & feline
Americans.
Our small female dog Coco,
was her step-sister. She was terrified of big dogs! A neighbor had 2 large
Labradors that often came onto our property. They would gang-up and playfully
tease Coco who didn’t enjoy the harassment. Tasha would race to the rescue with
teeth & nails barred, yowling & hissing! Those big dogs would shoot off
down the street in dire terror as if she was the devil! It was hilarious to
watch!
Until 2003 I always had
either a dog or cat, usually both in my home. I’m germ phobic, but this does
not apply to animals. Right into adulthood, my mother was always yelling at me
to stop kissing the dog & cat on the mouth. And I’d holler back, “What’s
the big deal, people kiss babies!” – I’ve never been one of those people who
think babies are cute, not the human kind anyway!
Eating mammals makes me feel
like a cannibal. I’ve always avoided it whenever possible.
Around 2004 I was in a Thrift
Store when I came across a beautiful faux fur jacket for $5. A great imitation
for sure I thought and what a bargain! After I got it home and examined it. I
discovered to my horror it was the real deal, genuine silver fox! Now I felt
like a hypocrite, but throwing away $5. made me feel guilty. So, it just sat in
my closet for a few years.
Later, my friend Margaret came
again for a fun day out on my birthday. The day was an extremely cold one by
Florida standards. I was debating whether or not to wear the beautiful fur. I
decided OK, maybe this once.
First, we stopped at a gas
station. As I stood pumping gas, I heard someone at a red light screaming,
“Animal killer!" “Animal killer!” My reaction was WHERE? WHERE? I looked around. Then I realized he was referring to ME!!! Now I felt ashamed and terrible.
Margaret was comforting. “No
one is kinder to animals than you. Just forget it!” she said.
Well it ruined my day! I
couldn’t get it out of my head! Later, as we sat eating in the restaurant I
looked at the other people chowing away. How many of those cows & pigs on
their plates died from a hammer or nail gun to the head, probably in agony! Yet
no one blames the restaurant for serving and the customers for ordering. -- A
woman in a fur coat is a much safer target than a man sitting in his truck
eating a Big Mac!
Before long, it was the
middle of summer. I spotted a full-length FAUX silver fox fur in one of my
catalogues for half-price. I decided to buy myself an early Christmas present.
I’m glad I did! I haven’t seen one that gorgeous since. It’s a darn good
imitation, too! And if anyone dares to call me an animal killer, instead of
hollering back, “I’m coming after you next!” I’ll just say it’s a fake fur, you
dumb ass!”
The last time I wore it, an
older man approached to inquire what type of fur I was wearing. “It’s a synthetic,”
I replied. I could tell from his puzzled expression he was wondering what-the-heck
kind of animal is a synthetic.
“Oh,” he said, “it looks like
fox.”
“It’s synthetic fox!” I
explained. Finally he understood.
Once upon a time, I couldn’t
imagine my life without a dog or cat. But I’ve reached the point where I don’t
want one anymore. At my age, an animal is liable to outlive me. I’m seeing more
members of my High School graduating class in the obituaries all the time. What
if I had a stroke or heart attack, or was in an accident and had to be
hospitalized! My neighbors who left me to twist in the wind during 4 hurricanes
aren’t going to rush to assume responsibility for any dog or cat.
Plus with inflation my
budget is growing constantly tighter!
Nowadays having an animal is
almost as expensive as having a kid! Just walking thru the door at a
Veterinarian’s office used to cost me $100 alone and that was over 10 years
ago! Plus I like to spoil my fur babies. After my last dog died, I gathered up
her things and donated them to the local animal shelter. There were so many
toys, blankets, types of food & treats you’d have thought I had 10 dogs
rather than one small one.
However, I do enjoy the
neighborhood cats & dogs. I like them way better than most of the people.
In the A.M. when I go out to fetch my newspaper, a little gray cat (I believe
from one house over) comes to greet me. I don’t know whether it’s a male or
female, but we always delight in a lovemaking session right there in the middle
of my driveway.
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