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Another One?! It started with a cat. As soon as I left home, I went to the Cat's Protection League and got myself a cat. I didn't even like the look of him much but you can't exactly say to the Cat's Protection League "have you got a fatter/fluffier/prettier one please"! Anyway, he soon became part of the family and I love the look of him now. The second and third cats I blame on my mum. She bought me a front door for my birthday (long story ... we'd just moved house). Anyway, instead of actually buying me a front door, she gave me the money for one. While we were trying to find the elusive "Front Door Shop", we went into a pet shop to ask for directions and came out with two tabby kittens! Having bought bowls, collars and food, we never did buy a front door. The dog I blame on my husband. He said he'd never been too attached to cats as his parents had always had dogs when he was a child and he'd love a dog. As he was at home quite a lot of the time, I thought I'd surprise him for his birthday. I went to the local rescue kennels and told them I specifically wanted a small to medium sized, boy dog that was at least 1-2 years old as I didn't want all the toilet training aggro that went with a puppy. Anyway, my husband loved the 8 week old, female, German Shepherd x Golden Retriever puppy!! Then came the horse. I will happily take the blame for that one! Having decided not to have children, my husband asked me what would make my life complete (apart from him, obviously!). My answer - a horse, of course. I've wanted one since I was 12 but my parents could never afford one. So, at the ripe old age of 30, I bought my first horse. She was a sorry looking thing when I got her and bought her for the completely wrong reason .... I felt really sorry for her. I have been so lucky that she has turned out to be completed suited to me and my soul mate. I don't quite know how we got the second dog. We were thinking out loud to our next door neighbours that it might be nice to get a SMALL dog to keep our dog company while we were at work. A couple of weeks later she asked me if I knew of anyone who would give her dog a loving home as she had just had another baby and could not cope with the dog hair and having to lock the dog in the kitchen every time she wanted to go to the loo!! Well, obviously, we couldn't say no - so that's how we ended up with our German Shepherd x GREAT DANE!!!!! I blame the next two kittens on my best friend. She begged and pleaded me to give a home to two kittens which were the unexpected result of her mum's pedigree show cat getting friendly with a fluffy black moggy up the road! Of course, I couldn't say no (unlike my husband who said 'no' numerous times until they had moved in and seemed permanently resident on his lap! ... soft touch!!). So, just when we think our family is complete and my husband thinks it is safe to let me out of the house, I innocently go and get my hair cut. As I was sitting there, relaxing whilst getting my hair washed, the hairdresser says to me "how is your horse?". A pleasant conversation ensues and she then says "you don't know anyone who wants a youngster, do you?". UH OH!!! So, total now stands at 2 dogs, 5 cats and 2 horses (yes of course I knew someone who wanted a youngster!!!). Julia Dowling
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