Where Bloggers Live: The Animals Who Rule My Heart
Welcome! “Where Bloggers Live” started out kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…with bloggers! We all like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes, interests, and lives, so every month this wonderful family of amazing women shares their work-spaces, homes, towns, and thoughts, with posts based on specific prompts. It’s been so interesting over the years to see the different ways each of us interpret the topics.
When the Where Bloggers Live group chose “pets” as our theme again this year, I realized I’d already written the ultimate pet post back in 2022.
Since then, a lot has changed. For the first time in 52 years, I don’t have any animals at all.
Looking back through old photos, I realized just how many animals have wandered through my life over the years. Some stayed briefly, some stayed for over a decade, but they all left their mark.
I’ve had mice, hamsters, rats, birds, ferrets, fish, horses, dogs, cats, and a few animals that belonged to different familes but who somehow became temporary family members of mine.
The baby squirrel who snuck into my bathroom through a hole around the toilet water pipe
Kendra the rat
Janey – who was the last one standing at the end
Hunter
Clyde, who came in and out of our life…and home over the years
Airehart
If I’m honest, I had favorites: Jeremy Andrew, Princess, Robbie Stop, Kimberly Lynne, and Caleb.
Jeremy Andrew
Princess
Robbie Stop
Kimberly Lynne
Caleb
Caleb has been gone for several years now, and for the first time since childhood I’m living without an animal companion.
But looking back through these photos, I realize how lucky I’ve been. I’ve had a lifetime of good animal companions and partners.
And lately I’ve been wondering whether there might be room for one more someday. If I’m not too old when I’m done with my traveling lifestyle, I hope to bring One More Animal friend into my life. That’ll be a good, “well, I can’t do THAT anymore…but now I can do THIS” boost.
Please visit my friends’ blogs to see their “children.”
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie Once Upon a Time Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Em Dirr
Have to say, I LOVE this topic. I knew we had a ssimilar one before, but I stayed mum because I wanted to read all about everyone else’s babies! Of course I knew you would have wonderful photos, but I somehow had forgotten the variety of pets you’ve loved!
It’s always so hard for me to decide where to place my pet commitment….same breed, same coloring, completely different, try a cat? I’m certain I’ve missed out on many wonderful experiences, especially by not having a cat (although we had a dog who came close). But a ferret you can take for a walk, Janey in the peanuts, Robbie Stop and your horse days…such entirely different bonds, I’m sure…and clearly with so much depth.
Thanks for keeping the topic and for the freshen up! Now I’m on to happily read about rabbits! 🙂
bettyewp
“It’s always so hard for me to decide where to place my pet commitment” – that’s the nice thing…you don’t HAVE to pick “just one.” You can HAVE cats and dogs and birds and mice…and, of course, rabbits 🙂
Sally in St Paul
Walking a ferret on a leash – wow, that must have turned some heads! I am truly impressed with the variety of creatures you have shared your heart and home with. Thanks for digging out so many photos of your furry friends. I’m with you on the “not right now but eventually yes” thing re: having a pet; I am also hopeful that there will be more pets in my future.
bettyewp
Kimberly Lynne was a HOOT. I took her everywhere with me. That photo was actually from our honeymoon 🙂
Jodie Filogomo
A squirrel?? A rat? Talk about incredible.
I remember your posts with Caleb…talk about a soul mate.
Now that I have control over my life, I can’t imagine it without some furry pet around.
XOXO
Jodie
bettyewp
There were actually TWO baby squirrels (at different times). This one was Sweet Eddie…the other was Evil Albert (not as cuddly). And I’ve had several rats. They’re extremely intelligent and companionable.
Daenel T.
You’ve had quite the menagerie. They really do bring us so much joy and comfort don’t they? Thank you for bringing this topic back.
Leslie Susan Clingan
So many sweet babies. Caleb especially touched my heart. And Clyde, that he would come and go. We had what I thought was a stray kitty who visited us for days on end and then would disappear for a bit. Turned out he lived down the street but they were terribly, terribly neglectful of him. He came to us for food, warmth and love. How sad is that?
I am saying the same thing about having a pup down the road. We aren’t traveling anything like you are but I still would feel guilty about getting a pup and then taking off on the poor thing 3-4 times a year. It is hard on our kitties but they have each other.