Here comes the animals two, by three.. by four???
Takoda a friend to all RIP
So anyone who has known me personally knows that I have always had animals. Domestic, exotic, livestock you name it I had it. Well maybe not all but enough to say that animals are a big part of my life. When I met Jonathan and we were married way back in the ancient days of the 80's, it didn't take us long to adopt our first dog Tyler who was a Cocker Spaniel. He was shortly followed by another dog Shadow who was then followed by a Patagonian Conure parrot named Pat. When we moved to Vermont, our life continued with additions to the family - placements when necessity demanded it but it is fair to say we always had at least 2 dogs and a cat for most of our married life. At one point a few years ago while living in Pennsylvania we had the opportunity to have petting zoo animals that we brought to the camp we were working at. We had mini horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, oh and a Llama. When we moved on from the camp it was with a heavy heart that we had to place all the animals in new homes. Since that time in 2007 we were back to just domestics. We had Belle our 13 year old Golden Retriever, Takoda our 4 year old chocolate lab, Peaches our 20 year old cat and Binx our black cat who was 6. Now before long we had the great opportunity of adopting Gomez, an 18 year old African Grey Parrot. After a bit, we figured he needed a buddy and soon found Yankee a blue fronted Amazon Parrot. So when we made our move to Maine it was with a menagerie of animals in tow. But then I got this itch.....
How to scratch an itch...Domestically
Can't forget the Goldfish!
So it started in the winter of 2011 - after we tragically lost our 4 year old chocolate Lab Takoda to kidney failure just before Christmas, we decided we needed to get another dog so Belle could train it before she got too old. So in steps Rosslyn our Labra-something I call her. You name a breed she probably has it in her. I am leaning towards whip-it or greyhound as she is skinny and boy can she run. Well spring came, then summer and before long we were heading towards fall. One day while I was viewing my favorite online classifieds I see an ad for placing a 9 month old St Bernard...NO WAY!! That is one dog I have always wanted to own since I was small! So I contact the woman and we chat back and forth - before long Jonathan, the kids and I are in the truck and headed to the next town over to meet Raji Moto. To make a long story short... he ended up coming home with us that day. Now mind you at 9 months old he already weighed 150 pounds so what he tops out as when he grows up is anyone's guess.
Top Left Photo: Roslyn at 8 weeks old - Top Right photo: Belle age 14 RIP 6/10/12
Roslyn at 8 months old - Raji Moto age 9 months
Binx - Black Cat 7 years old = Gomez the African Grey - 18 years old
Yankee - Blue Front Amazon 12 Years old - Human Animal Kids - Ariana, Ben and Abbie
Gomez and Yankee together - Raji Moto at 1 year old
Roslyn at 8 months old - Raji Moto age 9 months
Binx - Black Cat 7 years old = Gomez the African Grey - 18 years old
Yankee - Blue Front Amazon 12 Years old - Human Animal Kids - Ariana, Ben and Abbie
Gomez and Yankee together - Raji Moto at 1 year old
Update as of June 2012 - It is with a heavy heart that I am documenting the passing of Belle our 14 year old Golden Retriever. She had a great life with us - starting in Vermont, moving to Pennsylvania and then to Maine. She was so easy going, kind and really a nurse maid nana to any animal we ever had. She wasn't just our dog she was our friend and a big part of our family. We love you Belle and you will always be with us in our memories and in our hearts.