February 4, 2017

Greetings My Friend, Since we moved to Virginia Junior and I have become pet parents of a number of pets. At first we had a heart to rescue these fur children because if taken to the pound they more than likely be put down. Through the ensuing years our love has grown for these precious fur children. We love both cats and dogs and we have a mix of them with 3 cats and 7 dogs. Last week we noticed that Red had not come around for a few days which was unusual. Our fur children are strays that have been dropped off on our street which is how we came to know Red. Our neighbor and us have been caring for Red for several years now and we love him. He does not come in very much because our dogs tend to run him off so he stays outside of the fence and we have a dog house for him to sleep in. Junior and I had pretty much decided that Red had been taken by someone else, it is easier to think this rather than he had died. Brendy our boxer loves Red along with Biggie so the 3 made a group of playful pups staying outside most of the day and away from the other 3 dogs. Brendy mourned Red not being around and became a needy girl following us around. After church on Sunday we were greeted by Red and we were very happy to see our boy again. He was injured which brought much concern to us. His back end was cut the Vet thought maybe he got caught in a fence. Monday we took him in to see Dr. Pat to make sure he would be okay. Dr. Pat sent Red home with medication and a cone and told us to watch the wound. I did not see Red get back into the truck so I was very surprised when he came around my side after we got home. The poor thing has a shaved ring around his injury. The fur will grow back and he will be the beautiful boy he has been all along. For now he looks silly. No muscle or ligaments we torn and the wound thankfully was not that deep. Through the years our love for these fur children has grown tremendously. Daisy came into my life when I needed a reason to move again. She is all of 6 pounds so I am able to carry her around with me. As my balance kept getting worse Daisy has been the counter weight I needed to walk straight. Letting Daisy in and out has gave me the focus I needed to begin having someone to care for, to move into a steady routine of daily work again. Each child loves on me in their own special way and I find security in having them near. This morning Junior got up late so Biggie and Grey one of our kittens decided she needed to be loved on and I obliged them. Both Junior and I have PTSD, his is from the war in Vietnam and mine is from a life of abuse. When the anxiety hits us these fur babies quiet us, help us to move back into the present. They lavish us with attention which is badly needed. We do not wear each other out needing to be comforted because the fur children are always ready to accommodate our needs. Taking care of them helps us to stay in the present and to attend to their needs. I am happy that we get a little more time with Red and that he is there for his little gang of dogs. I sense that God has brought us these special babies into our life and I am grateful because I felt we were getting to old for these fur babies in our lives. In God's all knowing power He made sure we had what was best for us. May God bless you and keep you, make His face shine on you. Love Janet.