My youngest daughter moved out last year, and just a couple of weeks ago, took her cat to live with her. So now I consider myself an official empty-nester.
I do miss my daughter's cat (and my daughter, too, by the way), but because I have allergies, and cannot keep a pet inside, I have decided it would be unfair to get any more pets at this time. But there ARE pet alternatives. In this photo essay, you will meet my new, hypoallergenic
outdoor pets.Croak the frog likes to startle people as they pass by since he blends in with his surroundings
Tank the turtle moves so slowly, he never gets anywhere. He is always waiting by the pond with a friendly smile
Patch is always there to greet me when I get home. He never barks or makes a fuss.
Brown d
og greets all visitors with his warm and friendly faceMask, the racoon is shy. He loves to watch me from a distance
Igy the Iguana is really friendlier than he looks. Even the grandchildren have grown to love him after their initial fear wore off
The kitten twins are never to skittish to be cuddled. They just love attention
Skirgel the squirrel loves to play
As you can see, I have plenty of pets to keep me company. Whenever I am feeling lonely, I just have to take a stroll outside. All my little friends are there waiting for me!
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Comments: 40
When we build our new home I want a rock garden along the house with things like that in it..
I have two cats at present
I like your style and grace, SHERINE ... it was a refreshingly warm and touching essay...complete with touching photos! CONGRATULATIONS ... thanks for sharing!!
no fussing
no fur
Wasn't that a line from a very old cartoon about someone who got a robotic cat? It might have been Tom and Jerry...
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
I am putting together the process for the next book which is titled:
"Crossing the Rainbow Bridge
Stories of love and devotion"
For those who do not know what the Rainbow Bridge is; it is a beautiful bridge pets cross over to enter heaven. A special place God has prepared just for them.
All stories placed in the book must be about pets that have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. A book of this manner deserves and shall receive only the highest of respect. If you wish for the story you placed in the Petwarmers/Heartwarmers Book to be included in the Rainbow Bridge Book; you must resubmit it using the instructions below. We can only get enough stories for the book if everyone helps spread the word about the book. (Can not put in pictures as the price of the book goes up almost eight dollars per book.) Just to expensive.
Anyone having stories for the book; go ahead and send them to me in the following format: PLEASE USE THIS EXACT FORMAT and please send only one Microsoft document per e-mail. It is much easier for me to track down a story (if necessary) if each story is only in one e-mail.
***************************************************************
I AM SAM
by: Roger Dean Kiser
Because of old age, we had just lost two more of the many animals that we had saved from abusive situations. I was not in the mood to take on any more animals, mainly because of the high veterinary costs that we had incurred throughout the years. A process we began almost ten years ago; one that that has caused us many hardships.
As the wife and I were driving near the airport, all at once she turned into the Glynn County Animal Shelter and came to a stop.
"What are we doing here?" I asked her.
"I'm not sure," she replied.
I watched as she opened her door and began walking toward the fenced building.
"Going to come in with me?"
"I'm not going in there," I almost screamed.
I sat watching, as she disappeared into large white building.
There was just something about dog pounds that I hated. Maybe it was being locked in a cage. Maybe it was the sounds of the animals wanting to be rescued and loved. Feelings that I had know very well as an abused little boy.
"Roger," yelled Judy, several minutes later.
When I turned around I saw her standing in a small fenced area, a midsized black and tan dog jumping all over her. I got out of the truck and walked over to the fence.
"Isn't he beautiful?" she asked.
I just shook my head and began walking back to the truck.
"Will you please come in here," she hollered.
I stopped, turned around, and began walking toward the main building. Once inside I was led down a long hallway, dogs barking everywhere. It was almost deafening. As I walked along I tried not to look at the hundreds of animals screaming and barking at me.
As I enter the small fenced viewing area where Judy was waiting, the dog began to jump on me. When I ran my hand down his back I noticed a large scar. I asked the attendant what had caused the injury. She told me that he had been beaten with a metal coat hanger. Looking down at my legs I looked at the many scars that I had received, as a child, while living in a Jacksonville, Florida orphanage. I too had been beaten many times with such an instrument. I felt my neck begin to swell and my throat began to tighten. Very quickly I began walking toward the main entrance to get out of the building as quickly as possible.
"HIS NAME IS SAM AND HE IS GOING TO BE PUT DOWN TOMORROW!" yelled Judy.
"We just can't afford to save any more animals," I whispered.
Unable to speak I walked to the truck, closed and locked the door and I wiped my burning red eyes.
In my heart there was a brutal battle talking place. One that I knew I would lose. Nevertheless, it was one that I had to fight.
As Sam lies on the bed, between my wife and me tonight, for some reason he begins to lick the scars on my leg. In the faint light of the television, I reach over and I begin to pat him on his large scar and I whisper to myself, "Yes, I am Sam."
Roger Dean Kiser trampolineone@earthlink.net
BIO:
Roger Dean Kiser lives in Brunswick, Georgia with his wife Judy. Roger writes many stories for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Book Series and has published seven books on child abuse and related issues. One of his greatest joys is camping and fishing with his six grandchildren.
(The following information will be for me only and not added to the book). It will only be used for mailing the books and contacting you if necessary.
YOUR NAME: Roger Dean Kiser
YOUR ADDRESS: 100 Northridge Drive
CITY STATE ZIP Brunswick, Georgia 31525
YOUR PHONE NUMBER (XXX) xxx-xxxx
YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: trampolineone@earthlink.net
Those not having Microsoft Word can certainly send their story(ies) to me by e-mail. I completely understand as I was a WebTV user for five years.
When you send me the story(ies) send them with "RAINBOIW BRIDGE STORY" in the subject line of the e-mail.
Like with the Heartwarmer/Petwarmer book-The cost of each story published in the book will be $22.95. As each person gets one book for $22.95 for each story they place in the book. If you want to order three books; then you might as well put in three stories, OR write a longer story. The stories length should be between 500-1,500 words. Stories or poems can be shorter but not longer than 1,500 words. The only way to get a longer story in the book is to pay for two stories and receive one book.
DO NOT SEND ANY CHECKS/MONEY OR MONEY ORDERS LIKE WE DID BEFORE. I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS A LITTLE MORE ORGANIZED THIS TIME AROUND.
Let's make sure we have enough stories for the book(s) and if we proceed with it we will ask you to send in your payment. This last time we had checks all over the place. It was very difficult to keep track of who was who and what was what. This time let's wait until we have the book together and then send in ONE PAYMENT for your story(ies). Not two, three or four different checks/payments. That was a total mess to keep track of.
We were able to do this last book because each author, when purchasing one book at $22.95 for each story they submit; that price helps equally share in the cost of editing, developing the front and back covers, indexing, binding, publishing and mailing the books from the publisher and then out to each individual writer when the book is completed.
As before, when the book has been completely complied in a PDF Format; I will send a copy of the PDF out to each person listed in the book. It is then that I will ask you to check over your story for edits, name, e-mail addresses and BIO information. Once the book has been submitted to the publisher-No changes can be made as I have to pay for the submission up front.
I can not allow home addresses or telephone numbers to be printed in the book. Only your name (or pen name) e-mail addresses, city and town, if that is what you desire.
Roger
If interested in putting your story in this book; please contact me at: trampolineone@earthlink.net