Community of Animals

I have a community of animals at my house.  This is a new concept for me.  It's one thing to have a dog, cat or other domestic pet or even multiple pets.  It's something quite entirely different to have an animal community.  What an animal community is, (for those of you, who are as in the dark about this concept as I was), is a community, where animals of different species interact with one another and actually behave and get along. 

I was brought up watching Tom and Jerry, Sylvester and Tweetie, among other shows, and didn't really think it possible for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hermit crabs, and the such to get along.  This is the environment, though, that my daughter has nurtured at our house.  I think a lot of it has to do with the demeanor of our pets too.  Our dog, Nina, has the sweetest disposition, and she is so curious.  Any new pet that's presented to her, she immediately goes to sniffing and giving them kisses or grooming, as the case may be.  The guinea pigs and the cat tolerate it very well and don't seem to mind at all and, in fact, seem to like the attention. (Generally, we try and keep her away from the hermit crabs, though, when they are loose.)  Never have I witnessed this phenomena, until becoming a pet owner of multiple pets, so it's cool to me and just kind of broadens my appreciation of things. 

I'll come home from work and socialize with the cat, who I'm allergic to, but she's very sweet.  She has her little mannerisms, nuzzies up and paws at you, and is very friendly.  She lives in our garage for the winter but is always trying to run into the house and so wants to be a part of the family and everything else that is going on. 

Then, I see the dog, who is always excited and happy to see me, after having spent time away.  She really likes to get involved with family hugs and jumps in, if my husband and the kids are rough housing.  You can tell it upsets her, if either one of us gets irritated with the kids.  She also has her regular routines.  At dinner, she's always around no matter, who is cooking and is ready to shake paws, give high 5's, speak, etc., for some yummy morsels.  I'm also the main person, who lets her in and out of the house for whatever reason.  It makes me feel like kind of a revolving-door opener, at times, and does get old, especially if I am at home for long periods of time.  She also very much enjoys spending time with me, no matter what I am doing.  She's very loyal that way.  Right now, in fact, I'm typing on the laptop, and she chose to be here instead of with the kids, who might play with her or my husband.  I'm not sure why she does this.  I'm not entertaining her or giving her attention.  Maybe I'm just comforting to her.  I won't look a gift horse in the mouth though and will just be content in knowing she cares for me.  She also likes family TV time and looks forward to her routine of saying "good night" to every one of the family members.  You couldn't ask for a better pet.

Our guinea pig, Oreo, is also Mr. Personality.  My daughter carries him around with her a lot and takes him on walks with her.  She has even crocheted jackets for him.  He likes to scurry around, is very affectionate, and does like to eat fruits and veggies, when offered.  He is most animated at bedtime, when he runs all over his cage, climbs up on his hollowed-out log, and actually hops over it.  He is quite the excitable, little critter.  I just love his animated personality.

So, part of our animal community is taking the animals with us, when we go places.  We'll take the dog for a walk, while my daughter holds her guinea pig.  Our animals all love trips in the car too and especially to Petsmart or the park.  I often frown on taking all three though.  I have concerns about my allergies with the cat, and the guinea pig needs to be in a carrier or could get messy in the car.  I wish my daughter had more concerns about this pet and hygiene, but she doesn't.  Her enthusiasm for her guinea pig far outweighs her concern for cleanliness any old day.  That is more of a neuro-typical concern, I guess.

So, the pets in so many ways are like people.  They all have their separate personalities and just add a whole different dimension to our family, a positive one.  It is like they are dependents too, so rather than having 2 children, I have 5 (and 7, if you include the hermit crabs.)  Just the animals aren't quite as high maintenance or as expensive as the kids, although they too cost money in the way of food, pet supplies, and vet bills, if needed.  They add a nice dimension to the family, and it's so good that everyone gets along.  They feel a part of us, and we are a part of them.  We are our own community.  They're not just pets.  They are individuals.