I tend to get animals that others don't want.
My first cat was a cross breed from a pure bred Siamese Mother show cat, who had got out of her gilded cage of a home and bred with a moggy from next door. The owners were horrified and said kitten was got rid of at six weeks to me. I nursed him and loved for twelve years until I went to university, leaving him with my Mother. When I came home to visit during my third year it was to find my precious cat very ill with cat flu. A quick trip to the vet and my faithful friend was put to sleep, as he lay still and gone in my hands, the fluid that was slowly drowning him drained from his lungs, there was so much and I was bereft at how much he must of suffered.

A friend had a beautiful pet Honduran Curly Hair Tarantula that she was unable to keep, so I took that on and discovered that I had a real love for the animal. Holding her was amazing because she felt like a small mouse and yet her feet brushed my hand like a ribbon. She was so beautiful and I still do not understand how people can be so fearful of such a delicate animal. Sadly I was forced to rehome her when my landlady freaked out big time when I explained that my vivarium did not contain fish.

Next came my boy Jasper, another kitten who I still have. He was a foundling who turned up in a friends kitchen. He is now seven years old and he sleeps curled up with me every night.

A couple of years ago my other half decided that she wanted to fly a bird of prey again and she set her heart on another Barn Owl. So following a lot of research we found a specialist breeder and booked an appointment. When we got there to see our baby bird we were informed that she had "wing drop!" This turned out to be a broken shoulder joint that had healed badly in her first couple of weeks after hatching. So after some thought and following being told that she was pretty much unwanted, we took her on. She is magnificent, makes a wonderful neck warmer and she loves cuddles from her human mummies. However, she is horrendously territorial she recently caused a huge biker friend of ours to squeal like a girl when she dive bombed his freshly shaven head!


( Rev. Jayneflakes Buy my book, I need the cash for drugs and hookers, Sat 2 Feb 2013, 14:56, 3 replies)

I love owls. that's a great story.

(Poppet some assembly required., Sat 2 Feb 2013, 21:46, closed)

I was in Bridgenorth recently (walking through the market in the town) and I met a woman who takes her owl out for walks! She had it on a perch which she held as she walked through the town.
(RJWEcology is just sharpening his axe on, Sun 3 Feb 2013, 12:33, closed)

barn owls look crunchy
that brown speckling on their heads is like a delicious cinnamon topping on a creamy cheesecake.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sun 3 Feb 2013, 14:33, closed)