John's Pets Past & Present

I've had pets my entire life, and though I know there are people out there who simply aren't "pet people," I cannot understand how they get by without them! Beginning with a miniature Schnauser who somehow made room for a new baby in my parents' home, the plethora of animals that have been my pets encompass more than a few dogs and cats, a school or two of fish, a guinea pig, hermit crab, and a mini-flock of cockatiels.

Pets Pages:
Silly Birds | Crazy Kitties

Current Pets

Living on one's own demands the companionship of pets, and since midway through my days in college I have had animal friends to keep me company.

Currently my pets include four cockatiels--Rydia of Mist, Locke Cole, Freya Crescent, and Kain Highwind--and two kitties, Aurora Moon Girl and Trebor Neptune. Collectively, I call them the Silly Birds and the Crazy Kitties. The newest addition is Didi the Papillon (more to come soon!), and after my marriage to Beth, I guess I "adopted" her dingoes and Senegal parrot, too!

Like any dedicated pet guardian, I have plenty of extra-cute photos of all of my pets; feel free to visit the Silly Birds page and the Crazy Kitties page for more!

Past Pets - Rememberance

Saying "goodbye" to a beloved companion animal is a very difficult experience at any point in one's life and is the unfortunate and inevitable consequence of keeping company with pets who on the whole enjoy much briefer lives than our own.

Pictured above are three pets whose lives passed behind me. First, there's Brandy McDuff, our golden retriever who shared my birthday and died shortly after her eleventh--likely of heart failure--when she disappeared into the woods following 4th of July fireworks. Pictured in the center is Pook-a-Look (my nickname for her--not the asinine "Lucky" given her by my sisters after the cat on Alf!), and on the far end is Queen Anne, who died only a year old from a nasty infection--and who was named again by my sisters and this time for a cat on an episode of G.I. Joe.

Future Pets?

I recently adopted a Papillon puppy! Didi joined our fauniferous zoo after many years of my longing for such a cute and smart little dog.

Perhaps some day I'd also like to adopt one of the larger parrots--when I've the time (aka work from home!), money, and space; perhaps an African Grey.

Over time I've come to the realization that we serve more as custodians and companions for our pets than true owners. My philosophy for caring for pets has evolved greatly, and now is based largely on understanding the natural personalities and traits of our animal companions.