Tribute To Pets and Animals

I was informed that Cassie wasn't good with children or cats. Both proved otherwise.
When I moved back to the city, Adelaide, South Australia, a friend offered me a male kitten. At first I kindly refused, but my friend was desperately trying to find good homes for the kittens, as someone had abandon the cat and her litter.
Teri was the only male kitten, a ginger and white with muscular bow legs.
We played soccer, I rolled he kicked and tackled, dodged and Cassie adopted him and loved him like her son!

They slept together side by side; Teri in his basket with rubber duck and Cassie curled up next to him.

One night, I heard a loud sound similar to a bark, not a dog bark though and there in my front yard Teri was standing in a trance. He didn't move and he shook like a leaf. Teri wouldn't respond to anything.
I took him to the Vet, who informed me that he had never in all his twenty or so years witnessed a cat to be in such a state!
After an injection from the Vet, Teri came back to life and his usual self.
Apparently Teri had scared off a ghost and the ghost had scared the living daylights out of him.

Teri enjoyed discovery and I taught him to climb trees, roof tops and be a jungle cat, as he was unsure of what to do at first because he followed and hung out with Cassie.

In the neighbourhood, there were two feral cats and a fox. The feral cats looked scarier than the fox and were almost as large as the fox.
I was concerned when Teri would stay away during the full moon and even though he was probably roaming around for a girlfriend, there was always the concern about him being smaller and slower than the feral cats and the fox.
Teri was cheeky; he would tease the feral cats and run back home.

One wild winter's night I had a strange feeling
The next morning there was a slight track of blood on the concrete around the dwelling.
Teri lay peacefully, making it home so I would never wonder.

Cassie reassured me that she was there for me and she lived a long and full life.

Almost two years passed and I yearned for another pet.
Birds mainly Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, Magpies, Kookaburras and Black-eared Miner Manorina Melanotis would come flying in regularly and I taught some, especially the Cockatoos words which they would yell back at me.

(Below right; Sulphur Crested Cockatoos)

Ready for another dog, a friend found an ad in the newspaper 'Belgian Shepherds', with details.
"These are great dogs, I had a friend that had one of these" he said with convincing tone.
One of my relations had a female, so I had an idea of the dog's appearance.

After a phone call to the breeder who was selling the pups, I made my way to the breeder's premises.

Happily greeted by black fluffy pups and their mother, my eyes locked with a male pup.
It was 'puppy love at first sight', if you will excuse my pun!
The puppy wouldn't leave my side and the breeder was looking for him and I was quick to point out to the breeder that the puppy was seated next to me, by my leg.
The breeder was happy and was quick to express that none of the pups had ever chosen like that before.

I named him 'Zac' and he was adorable.
He loved his hand built kennel and Zac was a happy, highly intelligent, fun, gentle, svelte dog who had mastered a great palette and would give out a slight distinct bark when the food that was cooking was ready!

I could have placed an apron on Zac and he would have probably dished up something. He loved a good barbie.

He would guard my easels and check out my Artworks, loved playing football, soccer and enjoyed playing with the birds.
Zac was small to medium in size and very light.

He loved elderly people with shopping bags and he could speak!
One day as he waited for a walk, he was tired of waiting and yelled out "Come on Marisa", he told the Vets' secretary who was speaking on the telephone and had us waiting to 'Come On'. Like most dogs, he disliked his annual Vets appointment and when the thermometer went up his bottom, he would look at me as if to say "not this again" and the older he got, the Vet started using a muzzle on him because Zac was totally unimpressed and ready to snap the Doctor.

When I went away for a while, I would have my family put him on the phone and I would talk to him. Later my family informed me that he would look at their phones as if to say 'phone her', which they did and he would attentively listen to my voice.

When he saw me wearing sneakers he would say "come on" because to him, I was 'wearing my feet for walking!'

Zac was becoming restless when we saw female fury friends and he would look at me and sigh and even though he had my full attention and with constant activity, something was missing

I contacted the breeder, who had since moved far away and had a farm and to our mutual surprise, I wanted to give Zac to the breeder, as he was in need of a female companion and I felt that it was cruel to keep him when I was unable to get a female for him.
The breeder was delighted as the breeder thought that his 'line' had been lost forever.
Zac was pedigree bloodline and champion breed.
There was a female Belgian Shepherd waiting for Zac, 'Spring' and that the breeder would breed them and keep Zac's sperm in a sperm bank.
Zac would live with other puppies, dogs his mother and horses.

With a very heavy heart but knowing that I had made the right decision I let go of my precious pet, to make him happy and have the lifestyle that he yearned for.
As I handed Zac over and bawled my eyes out with sad and happy tears one of the birds from home had followed us all the way and screeched out to Zac!

Groenendale
Black
Long haired
Designed for all harsh weather
Long intricate woven hair keeps them warm in winter and acts like insulation, keeping them cool in summer
Hyper affectionate
Harmony
Intelligence
Endurance
Elegance-Alert
Vivid
Sensitive
Loyal family companion
Police and Army dog - European
Were trained in WW1 as "Messengers" and came close to extinction
Very sensitive to anaesthetics
Carry very little body fat as their body fat is their fur
Need to be spoken to in one tone, dislike shouting
Need excessive hair trimmed
Brushed as often as possible
Need side nails clipped regularly
Great show dogs
Always smile
Fun
Want full attention
Enjoy psychological games
Get far too excited around children
Very sensitive and shy
Rarely bark
Love music
Will always guide and direct one with their tail
Have beautiful bushy, fluffy tails!
Is a descendant of bear and like all dogs wolf

He will be the proud father of a new generation of Australian born Belgian Shepherd dogs!

Further; In 2010 and for the first time, Zac became the proud father of six healthy Belgian Shepherd Pups!

Olive oil, garlic and egg mix keeps dogs healthy on the inside and outside and always avoid giving any dog pet chocolate or human chocolate, causes liver shutdown.

Pets provide unconditional love, support, assistance and protection, they enlighten one's heart, help the visually impaired, physically challenged, farmers, military, police, security and services.
Animals and Pets are clearly and obviously amongst one of the best gifts that our creator has put on earth for us!

Marisa Angelis pays tribute to all of her former pets, including the ones that are not listed.