Animals
I usually share my life with animals, and there have been various types over the years. Here they are:
Fleur - a Glen of Imaal Terrier
This beautiful animal was my very first pet - her name was Fleur, and she was a Glen of Imaal Terrier - a breed originating from Ireland, where they were developed to hunt badgers.
I remain firmly of the opinion that every boy should have a dog. Fleur was a very special one, and my constant companion through pre-school and primary school days. She arrived as a puppy, when I was still a baby in my pram - a pram which she often shared with me. She died of cancer towards the end of my primary school days.
I remain firmly of the opinion that every boy should have a dog. Fleur was a very special one, and my constant companion through pre-school and primary school days. She arrived as a puppy, when I was still a baby in my pram - a pram which she often shared with me. She died of cancer towards the end of my primary school days.
Bubble & Squeak - my first Cavies
After Fleur died I was briefly without animal friends until an older boy in my village kindly gave me two of his baby cavies (guinea pigs) - he even made a hutch for them out of an old tea chest and some chicken wire. They were Abyssinian Cavies, and I named them Bubble & Squeak. They were terrific fun, and very affectionate. Thus my early secondary school days were marked by the companionship of and care for these furry little creatures.
Guinea Pigs (Cavies) - lots of them!
There followed a long period of my life in which I had no pets - sixth form, university, and the start of my working life. Then, around ten years after leaving university, having finally settled down in a permanent home, I returned to keeping cavies (guinea pigs). The hobby grew and grew, until finally I had nearly 30 of them, was registered with the British Cavy Council as a breeding stud (Grand Temple Stud), was running a rescue and boarding centre, and was breeding rare pedigree breeds. Cavies were a major part of my life from 2004 to 2016, and will doubtless return again in the future.
Zadok - a special friend
My “chief pig” of the cavy years was an amazing character named Zadok. Nobody who knew Zadok would ever forget him. He spent much of his time curled up on the floor between my feet, and he bahaved more like a dog than a cavy. He used to leap from his hutch into my arms whenever I opened his front door. He was a very special friend. Sadly Zadok is no longer with us, but from more than 40 guinea pigs in my household, he is the one who warrants individual mention here, and his own page.
Darwin - a German Shepherd Dog
This was one handsome dog! His name was Darwin and he was a wonderful German Shepherd Dog who was part of our family for 14 years. He was a constant delight, and a faithful friend. He really was as handsome in real life as he appears in his photograph. Darwin was a constant delight, and also an assiduous guard dog, keeping the borders of our property patrolled and secure. Yet with our children he was also gentle and loving.
Darwin came to us as a 3-month-old rescue puppy, and he grew old with us. Arthritis slowed him down in his last days, at least in the legs - though his tail still wagged just as quickly as it ever had. Darwin lived with epilepsy, and despite expensive drugs did have occasional seizures. His final illness was liver cancer. Darwin died in January 2023, and is hugely missed by his family.
Darwin came to us as a 3-month-old rescue puppy, and he grew old with us. Arthritis slowed him down in his last days, at least in the legs - though his tail still wagged just as quickly as it ever had. Darwin lived with epilepsy, and despite expensive drugs did have occasional seizures. His final illness was liver cancer. Darwin died in January 2023, and is hugely missed by his family.
Chickens
We have also kept chickens. Sadly the three shown here (with Christopher) were murdered by a fox in December 2011 - they were Hetty Wainthropp (Rhode Island Red), Jane Marple (copper black maran), and Joyce Barnaby (white leghorn). Our chickens were great fun and also produced lovely fresh free range eggs for us to eat. Our friends, relatives, and neighbours enjoyed the eggs too. We hope that we may have further opportunity to keep chickens in the future. (Click the photo to enlarge it.)