Pets

We have had the usual selection of pets. All the children liked animals. My eldest son always preferred insects, he would sit and watch them for hours. Now he is an adult his fascination has increased, and he takes some wonderful photos. They, the photos, are truly magnificent: the colours he captures are almost unbelievable, I would never have thought one could find insects so interesting and beautiful. He shares his love of nature with his partner and me.

It is my wish to have my ashes scattered under trees in a wood. I have spent so many peaceful hours just sitting under trees, and listening to their whispering leaves and enjoying the coolness cast by their shadows. Also, to watch the patterns created by the movement of the leaves and branches as they stir in the wind against the sky.

I digress. I remember my eldest daughter had a goldfish. When it died it was a very sad day. We put it in a matchbox and proceeded down the garden in a funeral procession. A hole was dug and, as the fish was placed in the hole, Nicola said in a loud voice "here lies my fish that has had its chips." A stunned silence, then we all dissolved into laughter.

Nicola was always bringing cats home. One day she brought two home, who promptly had three kittens each. I felt smothered by cats and kittens. Still, we were very lucky, we did manage to find good homes for them all.

We had an epileptic dog, much loved by the children. They were heart-broken when he got very ill and we had to have him put to sleep.

We had the usual jars of caterpillars, moths, worms, earwigs, etc. We had rabbits, a tortoise, and frogs in the garden. I used to love to go out into the garden and look for the spider's webs shining and trembling, with dewdrops glistening from the strands, a truly breathtaking sight. (Needless to say, one had to be up early to see this wonder of nature.)

We have had several cats who have had very long lives. Especially Sandy, she lived sixteen years, a very happy and healthy life. Then, quite suddenly, she became ill and was suffering, so the vet advised us it would be the kindest thing to have her put to sleep. Peter took her to the vets, I stayed in the house and cried. I missed her all the time.

Later, my middle daughter (she worked in a pet shop) said they had a little kitten that they were going to have to put down, as she only had one good eye. She was completely blind in one eye, and consequently she was unsaleable, so we had her and called her "Nelson". She is a beautiful cat and very alert. Having only one eye has not impeded here adventures in any way: she has climbed to the top of our cherry tree (at least 30ft high), and got down by herself. She is always bringing me in little presents - dead fieldmice (we live near a railway). She also catches pigeons (which she brings home), so you see her one eye is no impediment to her cat instincts.

She is a very aloof character and doesn't like children or the hoover, and is quite fussy about her food. For instance, she hates fish and won't touch any food that has fish in it. She likes some biscuits, not all biscuits, she prefers the mixed variety. But her main attribute is that she doesn't dig up my garden.