SharivilleLife stories from Shari

It has been great to get to spend extra time with all the animals who live with Tommy and Angie.  There are 3 dogs  and 4 cats.  Plus Turbo the aquatic turtle.  He definitely is family.  Today he let us know that his filter was plugged by going to the filter and rattling it around to get it to partially work.  He’s a very resourceful turtle. Tommy fixed it for him and now he’s a happy turtle.  It’s my desire that all the animals are happy.

The oldest is Espresso, she’s the black cat and is about 17.  You would never know it, shes beautiful, shiny and healthy.  She has a bourbon tenor voice, don’t know where that came from, but we are sure she is on the wagon.  Her thing is after the lights go out at night she howls. No one knows why, but if Angie lets her into her bedroom to sleep with them, shes just fine?  She knows how to work the system. Espresso prefers men, she’s Jerry’s buddy. She’s also a California cat originally.

Then in line of hierarchy comes Mocha.  She’s a Tortoise shell, with big beautiful eyes, white whiskers and such a lovely face.  Mocha likes to groom peoples hair, at the very least she loves to lay behind you on the couch or pillow and just rest her paw on your shoulder.  She just loves to touch and has a purr you can hear across the room.  She’s so loving, and is the prettiest cat of all. She’s very social and hangs out in the kitchen when I’m cooking, hoping for a snack. Mocha is a Calif cat too.

Next in line is Ruby.  Ruby is a Blue Heeler and quite the old lady.  She’s a senior dog now about 16.  Shes beginning to show her age now and struggles at times.  But she is so loving and remains the alpha dog.  She gets  respect from everyone, including the people in her life.  She looks up at you with those big brown loving eyes that melt your heart.   She’s very much Angie’s dog and has been so protective of her since day one.  Shes been Angie’s loving companion since she came into Angie’s life.  Ruby came from the Butte County Humane society in Chico. I love Ruby very much and she knows who loves her.  She is also my kitchen companion, she’s a smart cookie.

Next in line would be Joey. Angie dug Joey out from under a bush.  He’s a cracker Jack Yorkie. He was discovered by Ruby hiding under a bush while she and Angie were out on a run on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere.  Angie said at first she thought he was a big rat, except Ruby approved of him, so she did further investigation and found a Yorkie.  He was literally starving.  He belonged to someone who was greatly abusing him.  He was flea infested, wormy, under nourished and dehydrated.  The vet Angie took him to expressed the hope that no one would ever find his original owner.  That became a reality and Joe has been family for over 10 yrs now.  He lost the vision in his Left eye due to a tussle with another dog, but he never lets on to his disability and has coped wonderfully.  Joey is quite the character and truly believes he’s a big dog anyway.  He remains very protective of his food, he’s never been able to conquer the fear of not having enough food.  He got his name partially because when Angie first got him he had a habit of drinking left over coffee out of cups, we figured that’s the only way he could find fluid to drink.  There’s a longer story about Joey but all that’s important is that he was rescued from deaths door, and now he has a wonderful life.  Hes even flown to Calif. on two occasions to visit me. Joey is about 11 yrs old , a little dog with a great big personality. Joey is precious to me.

Then came master cat, a yellow cat that is.  Jerry named him Lucky because he was so lucky to get a home.  Angie transported him from Arkansas where he was dumped there during one of  Angie’s business ventures.  He was headed for the pound when Angie’s group took up a collection, got him a crate, a cat box and some food and smuggled him into the hotel.  Angie was lucky enough that the airline person didn’t charge her for his transportation to DFW.  Lucky is definitely the “cock of the walk”, with his yellow cat personality. He can be very affectionate if he wants to and gives very sweet kitty kisses.  He will also play with the dogs if the notion strikes him.  He’s an important and loved part of this animal and human family.

Then one very hot 4th of July a few yrs ago little Liberty was discovered hiding behind a gasoline pump, just hoping to see better days.  Here is another very sad beginning.  Tommy was low on fuel and had to make a stop in the ghetto.  There she was -  just a kitten.  She had been so abused, she had a broken leg and tail.  She was also infested with everything, starving and thirsty.  Angie grabbed her up and they drove her into a wonderful life.  Liberty got her name because she was found on the 4th of July.  She’s a Calico with lovely blue eyes that almost always focus.  She’s very gentle and timid, but so loves to be petted ever so gently, just not picked up and cuddled.  Guess she had her fill of the human touch before the kids found her.  She’s a sweet baby and we all love her.

Then along came Casey.  What a find. Tommy and Angie found him up for adoption at the Pet-co parking lot.  He was found chained to a Rottweiler somewhere.  They figure he was 6 to 9 mos old.  He’s mostly a Swiss Mt dog,called and Entelbuscher.  He has long legs like a deer and jumps like one too.  He’s mostly black with brown and some white splashed on.  He’s a very gentle loving dog, and has very sensitive  feelings and you can see it in his big brown eyes.  You just melt when he gives you that loving look.  He’s very smart and playful with boundless energy.  He weighs in about 65 #.  But, he is positive he is a lap dog. He insists on sleeping in bed with Tommy and Angie and so it kind of gets crowded with Joey and Casey and Espresso all in bed with them.  But I know they would have it no other way, they are after all family.  If more wanted to bed down with them they would make room. Casey loves his toys and could tear up an iron ball.  He needs tough toys. Casey is also a swimmer and loves to swim in the pool when the weather is good.   He’s the most loving, loyal,  cuddly dog, just a big sweet boy.   Casey has been a good influence on my Teddy, as Teddy was only 7 weeks old when we brought him here to the house.  He has helped to socialize Teddy and  taught him many things.  Casey is  devoted to Angie.

Then of course somewhere in the mix is Turbo the Turtle.  I did an earlier blog on him.  He’s my buddy.  He started out as a  house guest, ie they were baby sitting him when his people decided they didn’t need him anymore and were going to put him in a swamp somewhere.  Well, Angie and Tommy would have none of that and now he’s family.  He lives in a very nice aquarium in the dinnet.  He was silver dollar size when they got him , now he’s almost dinner plate size, with a personality to match.  His favorite color is purple.  He totally drools if you come up to his aquarium with purple on.  He comes to his window and swoons.  He’s a favorite of mine, I just can’t hug him.

So, before we leave to go back to Calif. I wanted to get this blog written.  It’s important that I express how very much all these precious babies mean to me. During all my visits they have been here and welcomed us with open paws.  It has been my pleasure to help take care of all of them.  I will surely miss them all when we leave and hope to return someday to hug them all again, except Turbo, for him I will wear purple.  I love you babies all.