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John Jenkins's avatar

That was a lovely post. I'm glad that we were able to look after our dog Meg for so many years.

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

I was reading old diaries recently, and had one entry about looking after Meg, and how she behaved when the phone rang! She had lovely soft fur.

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John Jenkins's avatar

She would go berserk when the phone rang, and get very annoyed when we were speaking to someone on it!

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Alyson's avatar

I enjoyed taking her for walks when she stayed with us!

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Jacqueline Conway's avatar

This is lovely Karl. I have always, always had cats: both of my previous cats were adopted as kittens from the Mayhew. One kitten died when she was very young and her sister died in my arms nine years later. When I was able to, I knew that I had to have another kitty in my life. I adopted the beautiful Yasser from Battersea (he acquired his name from me). Adorable Yasser was 8 when he came to live with me. He is my best furry pal. He was nervous and neglected when he came to live with me, and just wanted to be loved. He is an adorable - and, incidentally, very pretty - little cat, so he’s very easy to love. Giving an older cat or dog a second chance is so often a very good bet. - And the unconditional furry love that you receive in return is just priceless.

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

Ah, I'm so glad they had good homes. And yes, I love the point about adopting an older cat or dog. They are often neglected and not picked, despite all the love they have to give. Same with ill dogs (like Dylan with epilepsy), or disabled ones (lost a leg etc). They're the kind I would always pick, so I knew they had a loving home.

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Jacqueline Conway's avatar

When I first contacted Battersea, I found that they do a kind of Blind Date match-up between you and your prospective pet. They certainly got it right with little Yasser - he is really the sweetest little cat that I have ever had the pleasure of sharing a home with. He’s become cheeky and even more lovely 😻!

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

What a good idea!

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The Revolution Continues's avatar

What a lovely story about a lovely dog.

We came upon a fostering program for cats called "Seniors for Seniors." We are fostering a 12 year old cat named Elsie. She's been with us a little over a month and is doing much better than she was at the shelter. I recommend everyone to look for similar opportunity in your area.

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

That's funny, I once looked after a cat called Elsie who was about 12! She adopted us for a while. That sounds like a great scheme. As I said elsewhere: "I love the point about adopting an older cat or dog. They are often neglected and not picked, despite all the love they have to give. Same with ill dogs (like Dylan with epilepsy), or disabled ones (lost a leg etc). They're the kind I would always pick, so I knew they had a loving home." Many thanks. :-)

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The Revolution Continues's avatar

Elsie was my husband's grandmother's name too... Lots of coincidences there! Yes, older and "challenged" pets always need loving homes, so I want to tell everyone to not be afraid to give them a place in your heart and home. It will be worth it!

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Thanks for sharing your tale about Dylan. He sounds like he was a lovely companion.

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

Thanks, he was. :-) I'd give a lot to still have him here.

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S.J.Wildling's avatar

Beautiful words, Karl. ❤️

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Karl Drinkwater's avatar

Thank you.

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