I have 5 dogs. My hubby calls them the "herd". He also says I have more heart than brains sometimes as 3 out of the 5 were somewhat of rescues from dire circumstances. He's probably right. He also knows I'd have more if we could a)afford it and b)afford it. I have had several animals "spend the night" so that they wouldn't wander into the road but was forced to give them to the proper agency for the simple fact that we need to eat too.
My kids tease me and say I'm curing the "empty nest" syndrome by replacing them with other responsibilities. They also think I'm nuts but that's another blog entry altogether. Oh----and they're probably right too. If that's true then my neighbor is utterly insane. She fosters undesireable and unadoptable animals (i.e. sick, old, handicapped). She has nine dogs and six cats.
Most pagans refer to the animals in their lives as familiars. I can only say that one out of the 5 of my dogs is a "true" familiar as we have a bond unlike the others and this one came to me under circumstances that lead me to believe we were meant to share our lives. I'll introduce you to them and see if you can figure out which one it is.
Hercules---male chihuahua--12 years old. Herc was introduced to me when I began my relationship with my husband. He moved into my home and my heart along with hubby. He's getting gray and never listens to me but loves to cuddle on my lap. I was never a fan of chihuahuas but he changed my mind. He's as mellow as they come.
Molly---female peke-a-poo--4 1/2 years old. Molly was somewhat of a replacement for a true familiar I lost to disease. I was heartbroken and the emptiness overcame me and I did what alot of people do...got a new puppy. Molly was known as "Molly the Mistake" for months. She was a puppy mill reject who, had I not chose her, would probably not be around today. Full of bad habits and an evil attitude she took every ounce of patience we had. She has mellowed alot but still has some strange "issues" that we deal with. Like her fear of spoons. Still can't figure that one out but it is humorous when someone drops one on the floor.
Guido---male chihuahua--4 1/2 years old. Oh here's your epitome of chihuahuas. We saved Guido (and Tab--next) from going to the shelter. Their owner was moving in to an apartment and could not have dogs. He is one bad mother with an attitude. He weighs all of 4 pounds soaking wet and has obviously not looked in the mirror lately as he thinks that he's the resident bad-ass. He's one of those apple heads that look so innocent and cute but don't let his looks deceive you. Oh---and don't put your nose too close---he's gotten mine twice.
Tabitha---female chihuahua?--3 1/2 years old. She's Guido's partner in crime. We're not sure that she's pure chihuahua though. When we got her she weighed almost nine pounds which was probably five more than she should have. Hubby called her the "tick". She's trimmed down now as she has found bliss with chasing bunnies from our yard. I don't know what she'd do if she caught one as most are as big or bigger than her but she makes a good effort. She's very shy with strangers and hides out under the bed when company comes until she gets brave enough to peek out and let out a bark. And she tries to talk to us.
Nemo---no friggin' clue--2 years old. Nemo came to us when he was only 5 weeks old. A friend called and said that someone at a bar was going to dump this poor little guy on the curb if no one there would take him. They also said that they thought he was a Saint Bernard mix. Oh my. Well, 2 years later and topping out at about 55 pounds we doubt it. He's a gentle guy who thinks he's a chihuahua (go figure). His face is crooked which we're not sure came from the mix of breeds he must be or an injury as a baby. Hubby says his paws look like the "Grinch". And he prays to us. Literally. He sits on his fat butt and raises his front paws and then puts them together and moves them up and down. We didn't teach him this. He tries to talks too. Oh---and he's afraid of the stuffed monkey. Didn't teach him this either.
To me, a familiar is an animal which I have a special bond with. An animal who seems to know my moods at all times and that understands me. One that there is a psychic link as I know what they are feeling too. As an empath I'm very in tune with all my animals but only one of the five shares this with me right now.
As I type this, only one is at my feet. When I look down he knows I'm looking and raises his head and gives me a wag. He will lay here until I am finished with my computer work for the day and then silently follow me to the next task. I don't need to speak his name. He knows when I want him near and is there. When I sit to relax he lays his head on my knee and sighs as though he's helping me to release the stress of the day. When I go to bed he waits until I'm comfortable and then lays his head on my feet. When I'm sad he brings me one of his toy and lays it as a gift to me. When I'm happy he sings and dances with me. He knows secrets that are untold. I believe he is an old soul sent to me to ease any discomfort with changes in my life at this time. I can see it in his eyes.
So....although I love all of them and have room for more, Nemo is my puppy boy. Perhaps it is because he was so tiny when he came to me. I don't think that's it as he was also a tough one as a puppy. He did not like to be held so he wasn't cuddled as he would squirm and whine. He was covered with fleas to the point of sores on his ears and it took two visits to the vet to get rid of the worms. (YUK!) Through all of this though he would look into my eyes and just know and in a short period of time became my constant companion.
I look at him and am thankful he was brought into my life. I abhor the cruelty of some humans and their disregard for life of any kind. Ghandi once said that "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress, can be judged by the way its animals are treated." I love my country (my son's in the Middle East right now--USAF---doesn't mean I'm for that---again, another post) but I suppose this country has a long way to go. Hell, there are people who can't even treat their children well. I suppose it's a long time coming for animals to be treated with kindness.
In the meantime----heart ruling----I'm off to let the "kids" out and give them their scooby snacks.