This is the one in which I go all
sentimental. For a few weeks this means
you are sharing my memories of two darling creatures, Jade Dog MacWoof and
Jasper Cat MacMeow.
It is
worth mentioning there have always been animals in and around this life. We're of rural stock so it goes with the
territory. Despite parents' best
attempts to dissuade, over the years there have been a variety of cats, fishes,
hamster, tortoise, lizards, insects…
When I
finally settled in Australia, it felt right that a pet had to complete the
picture. So along came Jet, the monster
agouti guinea-pig. Coming in at nearly 12 inches he was indeed a fine specimen. Three years old when he came to me, a reject
from the show circuit due to five brown hairs marring his otherwise all-black
perfection. He knew he was a star, too,
coming when called by name, especially if it involved food or grooming. Yes he loved a wash and brush up.
It is a
regret at this point that I did not get all my old print photos scanned into
the files, so have no picture to offer you of this wonderful little man. There is a particularly great one of Jet in
the garden with Jasper and Jade. One
happy family. Maybe you'll get to see it
one day, but for now you'll have to trust me that this was a regular
occurrence. A guinea-pig, cat and dog
co-existing without strife. A lesson for
life.
That was
a digression; but, an important scene setter for the arrival of Jasper Cat
MacMeow. A year into Jet and I being
together, we moved into a large home with a fantastic garden and it begged for
other animals. I never actively go
looking. But once such a thought occurs,
it generally creates!
Within
the month I heard of a litter of kittens needing homes. They were part of a controlled breeding
programme (which eventually produced the now established 'Australian
Mist'). I find such things
disturbing. (Ah! there's my prompt for tomorrow's posting!) Mother was full
Silver Tabby, father was Burmese x Australian Silver Spot. The 9 kittens for the most part were all
throwbacks to standard tabby. Three were
silver. One of them took a running jump
at my shoulder and showed all intent of remaining there.
Which he
did for 17+ years. That's him at 18
months (and me at considerable reduction on current years).
A
stunningly handsome fellow he had mainly the stripes of the tabby, a few spots
from grandmother and a wee patch of buff under the chin in honour of the
Burmese connection. His build was of
that Burmese sturdiness - as I suppose was the shoulder sitting tendency
also. His temperament was total Burmese
- calm, meditative, mature, forbearing, affectionate - and a roar like a
mountain lion. He didn't use it often,
but man! When he did, the entire suburb knew it.
Now, to
say that I was tentative about mixing cat with rodent is putting it
mildly. I am, though, a great believer
in giving nature its freedom to balance itself out. As much as possible I am a hands-off carer,
wishing rather to empower inherent positivities whether in animal vegetable or
mineral. At no time do I
anthropomorphise. What happens as a result,
I have found, is that animals will 'raise' themselves. Their basic instinct is to please the hand
that feeds. If that means taking on
sociable habits for the human, then so be it.
Thus,
unlike many of my associates, I was not at all surprised to find Jasper taking
on the role of protector for Jet when they were out on the grass. If the blue tongue lizard came too close, he
was shown back to the compost heap with a quiet 'rumble'. Birds too were given due warning - for some
reason Jasper never was inclined to hunt them.
He did,
however, prove to be an efficient and worthwhile 'ratter'. Some of his quarry were nearly his own size
with teeth a yard long (YAM exaggeration but you have to understand these were
rats of the lean mean variety).
So, there
we were happily ensconced. When along came the
event none of us had expected...
Unforgettable character!
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeletewithout doubt!
Hmmmmm -nice stripes. xxxx Mr T
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