Halos And Rainbows

Pampered Pets

At Sunshine House we have several pets, because pets are nice and make us feel good!

When you feel sad or  want to be sort of alone a pet can be better than a person!

When you are little and don't have the words, pets understand...

We have a Newty-dog, who is 15 years old.

We have a Suki Buns Rabbit and Spiky Cavie who are both nearly 2 years old.

We have a Sunny Kitten  who is 7 months old too.

Newty dog came from a dog sanctuary, she's been the most fantastic family pet you could get; patient, kind, loving and protective, although not always that obedient, she's a joy to spend all day, every day with.

Suki and Spiky came from a lady whose son my Bear goes to playschool with. Suki is loopy and can jump right up on Newtys back which is quite high and runs about the home like a little torpedo.  Spiky has a lovely singing voice and likes to sit on my shoulder when he's not finding interesting places to hide.

We only got Sunny Kittne in the summer and he is playful and at times still a little bit sharp but quite cute and the boy love him, paly with him and think nothing of picking him up for a love or to keep him out of their bedroom where he likes to make as much mess as they do!

We are told keep being told how pets reduce stress and comfort us. I've found this is very true especially with my Little Angels.  When I'm upset I tend to go to bed with Newty-dog or escape to the beach with her, it helps clear my head. Or Sunny kitten comes to cuddle me which is so sweet and he grooms my hair too.

Goat is finding that Spiky "Captain Caveman" Cavey is a good listener and doesn't tell anyone whatever he whispers.  Spiky likes to snuggle in and sings wonderfully when he's stroked gently.  Goat finds the reward of Spiky singing so brilliant that he has learned to be really gentle and he knows what Spikys different little sounds are now.  Not bad for someone with special needs.

Bear is good friends with Newty and they go everywhere together until Newty gets tired, then he moves on to whoever wants to play.

I think it is important to have pets around our Little Angels as it teaches then so much about life, caring for others and very sadly loosing a loved one.

We've had Canarys, Hamsters and Goldfish in the past and I did say no more caged pets but I nipped out and unexpectedly came home with Spiky and Suki.  I'm really pleased I did, in just a few weeks, my boys have learned a lot about respecting others and how delicate creatures need us to look after them.  I know when you have a couple of kids, especially if you have a child with special needs in the house a pet can seem like even more work and yes, they can be but learning to groom, feed, exercise and accompany their animal friends on vets visits gives our little ones so much life experience and love that I feel even a small caged pet is a beautiful friend and well worth the extra chores.

I thought we could share any stories about our pets here, pickies can be sent in too!

If you'd like to talk about how wonderful your pet is or any concerns about getting a pet or their health etc please feel free to do so I will do my best you help you find the best information.

Loosing a pet

This lovely story was sent to me by Fairy Jane, it's very sad and very beautiful too, strangely as I changed the writing to blue, both the letters remained unaltered, even after several times, some things are just to special to change perhaps?

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced.

I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul
working in the office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.
The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.

She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when
Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim.  I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith  and addressed it to God/Heaven.  We put our return address on it.

Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven.  That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.  

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith'  in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called,  'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.  Abbey loved being your dog.  Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way , I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

This really helped my boys, especially Bear last summer when very sadly our Polly-anna Pusslecat crossed the rainbow bridge to wait for us in heaven.  She was 14 years old so very old for a persian and they still mention her almost every day. Bear sat and talked to her patch of garden for hours and we eventually made a little stone with her name on and planted lots of flowers putting solar lights there too which really helped him.  Getting Sunny Kitten a few weeks later seemed to help a little too even though he is a very different Fur-baby to Polly and we love them all very much.