Florida in the Winter

Today, David and I planted a Dwarf Azalea hedge around the area under the old oak tree. He had to use a back-hoe to dig through the roots of the old oak. The hedge has shades of pink azaleas going into white. It surrounds Wooffer's resting place where pink dianthus grow. I imagine that people wonder about us making such a memory spot for our dog. But, we are not concerned with anyone's jusdgement of our affection. He meant a lot to us both.

Love,
Betty

I love azaleas. I think they will be a beautiful way to honor Wooffer.

Ann

What joy to see the azaleas in full bloom. What a smile that will bring to your face!

Good for you, Betty. Azaleas are gorgeous.

Betty,
I can understand your memorial to Woofer. I did something special for my cat, Tigger. I even erected a cross for him. I took the cross with me when I moved and still have it. If people think I'm nuts, that's okay. It matters only to me - and Tigger.

I have a little red-bellied parrot, Sport. She came to me accidentally over 14 years ago - how time passes. I'm not a pet person. I give her care because it is the right thing to do and she is part of my habits of life. I am sorry that she is in a cage. However, clipping her wings wasn't very nice either. I tried letting her out in the screened in porch; but the mess was terrible. We have many hawks around here; she would not live if released. She deserves to live out her life.

When I travel, my next door neighbor watches her. The night before I leave, I take her next door. When I return home, the house has a silence and emptiness that it didn't have just a few minutes before. In the morning, I awake with a sense of something wrong - and it's the lack of whistling that awakes me each morning. I can't say I am as attached as some people to their pets, yet there is a bond, a relationship of mutual knowledge of each other. I feel good when I give her peanuts and spinach and she is grateful. Touching her feathers and seeing her bob her head for more attention - the knowledge that such a little bit of caring is appreciated - makes a difference in my life.

Parrots of her size typically live 20 years. I don't count her birthdays. I think there have been 15 - I'm not sure. I think I understand the losses others feel when their pets are gone, even though I don't consider myself a pet person.

Dear Diane,
We are all pet persons. Sometimes they are human and sometimes an animal. I think about Dick and the hampsters. What a heart he had!

Sport does not want to be free. He would no more know what to do on his own. What else can a bird ask for. A perrch, a safe place, food and water and someone to talk to once in a while.
Tell him I said hello.

Love,
Betty

When you think about it, what could be a better life than just giving joy to those around you.

Ann