Abbeyvale pets...forever remembered...
"Graham"
1969 - 1972: Graham ~ male Monkey - Graham was an Indian Marquette monkey. He came to live with us purely by fluke. He was an offspring of a monkey at McGill College in Montreal and then given to a pet shop. I was in the shop one day buying shavings for my guinea pig and had no clue there was a monkey on the loose until he landed on me from a high shelf and clung to my coat. He put his thumb in his mouth and whimpered. When the clerk asked me if I wanted to buy a monkey, I said yes instantly. This was something that I don't regret doing to this day, but at the time there were no vets to help me when he got sick. I had to put him down when he was only three and it was heartbreaking. He used to play with my cat, ride on my dog (upside down clinging to her tummy - not that my dog was impressed let me tell you), steal anything shiny and hide it. He took bites out of the soap bars and loved to go for car rides. He was full of mischief and I miss him still.
Big dog...big heart...
"Saucy"
1990 - 1997: Saucy ~ female Irish Wolfhound - Saucy was our Irish Wolfhound. She came to live with us when she was about 2 1/2 years old and when we picked her up at the airport, a fork lift truck had to slide her crate into our jeep. She got to about 157 pounds, but was a gentle giant. I've put pictures here with Ren because the two of them were almost inseparable. Saucy was timid and not very outgoing but she sure kept strangers away from our front door. They took one look at her and froze. She of course, was just standing there staring at them. She was a lovely dog, but unfortunately crossed over at the tender age of 7 - of old age!
Deaf at birth, but ever aware of his surroundings...
"Odie"
1980 - 2000: Odie ~ male Persian cat - Odie was a sweet tempered white Persian. He was deaf since he was a kitten, but learned hand signs and picked up on vibrations when we wanted his attention. He would "meow" louder than any cat I've ever heard, but I suppose that was because he couldn't hear himself speak. He put up with the dogs, but was never fond of them. He crossed over to rainbow bridge at the ripe old age of 20.
Gave him a home where he knew he was loved...
"Spats"
1992 - 2007: Spats ~ male hairless Chinese Crested - Spats was a very special little guy & came to live with us when he was about 2 years old. He was very afraid and not trained, but with patience and love he turned out to be a happy little guy. He had epilepsy and in his last year lost his hearing and eyesight, but his temperament stayed the same, very sweet. He holds a special place in our hearts and is resting peacefully in the woods near our house. We miss you little buddy!
"We give dogs time we can spare,
space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all.
It's the best deal man has ever made."
~ M. Facklam
"Raven"
1997 - 2007: Raven ~ female English Springer Spaniel - Raven's time to go was way too early, but she had cancer and by the time the signs showed themselves it was too late. I don't think we've ever had the privilege of having such a loving companion. Raven loved to go for a run in the woods while I rode my horse, would walk happily on a leash without ever pulling, greeted friends and family into our home with her little tail wagging a mile a minute. She'd hop in the car or just lie in the house; wherever we were is where she wanted to be. She was a totally devoted and loving companion and is greatly missed.
My first crested...but not the last...
"Ren"
1992 - 2009: Ren ~ female hairless Chinese Crested - My first Chinese Crested and what a delight she was. She was friendly to everyone she met, outgoing, even to the point of wanting to ride on my horse with me. She'd just perch herself on the front of the saddle, quiet as a mouse and enjoy the ride. She lived a long life and is now resting peacefully beside her brother Spats, and Spook.
Big cat in a small package...
"Spook"
1992 - 2009: Spook ~ male Persian cat - A sweet little cat, playful and funny when young and always hiding in the shadows somewhere as he grew older. He rarely strayed far from home. His time came only two days after Ren. It was hard to say goodbye to two long-time friends in the same week.
Copper
1984 - 2013 ~ Copper, my companion for almost 20 years. So greatly missed.