Research tells us having pets is beneficial to your health. Petting your animal will lower you blood pressure, which can only be good for you. Dogs require exercise and give you a reason to get off the couch. Pets will love you unconditionally and listen to you talk as long as you talk. They provide companionship when you are feeling alone.
There have always been pets in my life. Sandy was our first dog and I remember her sitting, at the end of our driveway, waiting for me to get home for school. Then there was Billy the budgie, Peter the rabbit (he had been rescued when his mother became roadkill) and a pigeon who adopted us. When I married I convinced my husband we needed a cat and Wicket (as in Wicket the Ewok who lived on the forest moon of Endor) came into our lives and stayed for 18 years. Unfortunately she was not a fan of children, so spent many of those years trying to avoid them. A very sensible cat.
Shah, a Labrador Cross, soon joined our family when he was about three months old. He was gorgeous and I should have realised that those huge paws he had as a puppy would mean he would grow into a large dog. I am 5'2" and he would jump up resting his paws on my shoulders. I witnessed strangers get back in their cars when Shah appeared at the door as he looked so intimidating. What they didn't know was he had a heart of gold and was a pushover. He had lots of bark, but no bite. Although you had to watch him around the girls, when they were little, as one wag of his tail was enough to knock them over. Shah loved the girls and there was nothing they could do that would annoy him. He was one in a million.
During those years Sally and Sam the budgies joined our family as did a couple of goldfish and a couple of rabbits. Oh! And there were also the frogs. After the deaths of Wicket and Shah my husband and I declared the house a pet-free zone. It was nice - no pet hair, no trips to the vet, no poop or vomit to clean up. But somehow we slipped up and now we have Holly, a dog rescued from the dog pound, and Noah the cat. There was a second cat, but he succumbed to feline aids at a young age.
So once again my husband told each other that this time we will get it right. When these pets go to animal heaven we will definitely be pet-free. But then we met Joey. Actually Daughter 2 came across Joey first when she rescued him from a tree and he followed her all the way to her place of work. I got the phone call about this little kitten all alone in this big ugly world and what should she do. It was decided the kitten could come home, but Daughter 2 was to contact The Cat's Protection League (CPL) as he was not staying. We started well with good intentions. Yes, he was as cute as a button, but I was determined he was not going to stay. A visit to the vet confirmed he was underweight and approximately 15 weeks old. And he had fleas. Oh joy!
Daughter 2 did contact the CPL, but was told it would be 2-3 weeks before they could take him. I was not overly impressed as I knew Daughter 2 would start to get attached. I hardened my heart and made it clear he would not find permanent residence with us. My husband reinforcing this message. In fact I refused to call him by the name Daughter 2 had given him and referred to him as Kitty Kat. Over the next few weeks he managed to develop relationships with our existing pets. I was starting to get worried about all this bonding that was happening right under my nose. One day the call came for Joey to be taken to the vet to be picked up by his foster mum. Luckily I happened to be home as Daughter 2 told me she wasn't going to do it. Ignoring the frosty atmosphere I picked Joey up from my bed, where he had been sleeping, and placed him in the carrier. The trip to the vet was quick, but as I stumbled home it was hard to keep myself from crying. This little bundle of joy had wormed his way into my heart.
Over the weekend the atmosphere in the house was dreadful. It was as if a death had occurred and we were all affected. Even Noah was searching the house trying to find Joey. By Sunday night my husband and I caved deciding to try to get Joey back. Two days later I picked him up from the vet (all desexed and micro chipped). It was the most wonderful feeling to surprise my daughter with his return. He is her cat now and when she finally leaves our home he will go with her.
The last 2 years have been hard and I think Joey managed to bring a ray of light and hope into our lives. I know it sounds corny, but he makes us laugh and smile with his antics and his unconditional love. Somehow Joey was meant to be part of our lives and yes, I do call him by his name. BUT my husband and I declare for the final time - No More Pets.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Demolition of Childhood Home
My childhood home has been demolished. As a result of the 22 February 2011 my mother's house was red zoned meaning it was unsuitable for residential occupation due to significant earthquake damage to the land.
Christmas 2011 was a happy, yet sad occasion as we realised we were probably celebrating our last Christmas in the family home. Mum had been in the process of redecorating and the last work to be done, prior to the earthquakes, was in the lounge. While the men installed a new window my sister and I became expert at installing batts (insulation) in the exterior walls. Then the new gib (wall lining) was installed, by the men, and the plasterer came along to add his expertise. On that last Christmas evening we realised we had a pristine canvas to work with. Our history, our feelings about growing up in the house and our thoughts about what was to come became part of the legacy my mother was to leave behind when she finally vacated the property. Over time more words were added to this canvas. I suppose it was a form of therapy for us all as we came to terms with the loss of what had been a place of happiness (well mostly) and safety.
Some people cannot relate to our feelings about this house, but it had been a home for nearly 40 years. Three daughters had grown up and left from that house to be married. Two of those daughters returned, with their families, for various lengths of time. My two children spent most of their childhood with Grandma as she was their caregiver while I worked. My grandmother, who lived with us since I was 4, died there the same year my sisters were married. My father left that house never to return when he died as the result of brain surgery. There were unhappy times and tears, but I remember the laughter and love that echoed within those walls. That is what made it a home.
Mum left that house at the end of October 2012. It was a busy day and there was little time to reflect. Even when I walked through the empty house I felt numb. Mum was not happy at all. Her new house is lovely and much better for her, but she didn't want to move. Her only happiness was knowing she would never have to deal with CERA (Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority) and Southern Response ever again.
On 21 February 2013 I received a call, at work, to tell me the demolition had begun. I left work and with my two daughters made my way to Breezes Road. The demolition was being carried out by a father and daughter team. They didn't mind the audience which included my mother and sister. Basing ourselves on a neighbour's deck (the house is vacant) we stayed all day to watch the house that had been a large part of our lives disappear with each movement of the excavator. According to the demolition team many come back to watch the demolition of their homes. Father and daughter had taken the time to read our words on the lounge walls and were careful during the demolition not to damage surroundings trees and garden. They even gave Mum a couple of floor joists, which are rimu, so she can have something made from the wood. The company they are contracted to will come later and sow grass seed. My mother has some wildflower seeds she will add to this.
Caught up in watching the demolition of the house I didn't really feel much emotion. There was alot of black humour to help us get through the day. The next day was the 2nd anniversary of the 2011 earthquake. I went to work and with my partner watched children from a school in the CBD throw flowers in the Avon River and participate in 1 minutes silence at 12:51pm. It was a difficult day. Daughter 2 was with my mother and sister watching the 2nd day of demolition at Breezes Road. They took a break to attend a service where they threw flowers in the Avon River, at Kerrs Reach, at 12:51pm. 22nd February will never be an ordinary day for any of us. They returned to Breezes Road to continue watching the demolition of the garage, sleepouts and shed.
It was dark before I was able to go to Breezes Road. Although I had watched the demolition the day before I was shocked when I turned the car lights on high beam to view the property. All the outbuildings had gone and the section was empty. It was then the emotion of the last couple of days hit me. This house that had been my home was no more.
Mum has still not adjusted to her new house and feels as if she is house sitting. When she talks about home she is not talking about her current home, but is referring to Breezes Road. It can be confusing and I hope with time her new house will start to feel like home.
Christmas 2011 was a happy, yet sad occasion as we realised we were probably celebrating our last Christmas in the family home. Mum had been in the process of redecorating and the last work to be done, prior to the earthquakes, was in the lounge. While the men installed a new window my sister and I became expert at installing batts (insulation) in the exterior walls. Then the new gib (wall lining) was installed, by the men, and the plasterer came along to add his expertise. On that last Christmas evening we realised we had a pristine canvas to work with. Our history, our feelings about growing up in the house and our thoughts about what was to come became part of the legacy my mother was to leave behind when she finally vacated the property. Over time more words were added to this canvas. I suppose it was a form of therapy for us all as we came to terms with the loss of what had been a place of happiness (well mostly) and safety.
Some people cannot relate to our feelings about this house, but it had been a home for nearly 40 years. Three daughters had grown up and left from that house to be married. Two of those daughters returned, with their families, for various lengths of time. My two children spent most of their childhood with Grandma as she was their caregiver while I worked. My grandmother, who lived with us since I was 4, died there the same year my sisters were married. My father left that house never to return when he died as the result of brain surgery. There were unhappy times and tears, but I remember the laughter and love that echoed within those walls. That is what made it a home.
Mum left that house at the end of October 2012. It was a busy day and there was little time to reflect. Even when I walked through the empty house I felt numb. Mum was not happy at all. Her new house is lovely and much better for her, but she didn't want to move. Her only happiness was knowing she would never have to deal with CERA (Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority) and Southern Response ever again.
On 21 February 2013 I received a call, at work, to tell me the demolition had begun. I left work and with my two daughters made my way to Breezes Road. The demolition was being carried out by a father and daughter team. They didn't mind the audience which included my mother and sister. Basing ourselves on a neighbour's deck (the house is vacant) we stayed all day to watch the house that had been a large part of our lives disappear with each movement of the excavator. According to the demolition team many come back to watch the demolition of their homes. Father and daughter had taken the time to read our words on the lounge walls and were careful during the demolition not to damage surroundings trees and garden. They even gave Mum a couple of floor joists, which are rimu, so she can have something made from the wood. The company they are contracted to will come later and sow grass seed. My mother has some wildflower seeds she will add to this.
Caught up in watching the demolition of the house I didn't really feel much emotion. There was alot of black humour to help us get through the day. The next day was the 2nd anniversary of the 2011 earthquake. I went to work and with my partner watched children from a school in the CBD throw flowers in the Avon River and participate in 1 minutes silence at 12:51pm. It was a difficult day. Daughter 2 was with my mother and sister watching the 2nd day of demolition at Breezes Road. They took a break to attend a service where they threw flowers in the Avon River, at Kerrs Reach, at 12:51pm. 22nd February will never be an ordinary day for any of us. They returned to Breezes Road to continue watching the demolition of the garage, sleepouts and shed.
It was dark before I was able to go to Breezes Road. Although I had watched the demolition the day before I was shocked when I turned the car lights on high beam to view the property. All the outbuildings had gone and the section was empty. It was then the emotion of the last couple of days hit me. This house that had been my home was no more.
Mum has still not adjusted to her new house and feels as if she is house sitting. When she talks about home she is not talking about her current home, but is referring to Breezes Road. It can be confusing and I hope with time her new house will start to feel like home.
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