Creature Comforts

On another author loop, a writer remarked that we seem to, collectively, own a LOT of cats and dogs. In thinking about it . . . that seems to be true. And in thinking about it more, I guess it's company for us solitary souls who write for a living.

I have a corgi. He looks like the one at left, only he is MUCH, MUCH fatter, much to my and his vet's dismay. He is like a corgi on prednisone. I also have two mutt puppies--adorable and a little crazy. And as a writer, no, I do not talk to them. Occasionally, I mutter to them in frustration, but I do like to write late at night with Chubby Dog snoring on the rug in my office. Actually, Chubby is named Chip. The other two are Cosmo and Dreamer.

I also have a pet python. He is actually my older son's pet, and I am not friends with Lydia (the snake). As a Buddhist, Lydia's preferred food choice of live rat pups really makes me squeamish and upsets me. But my son really loves Lydia, so . . . she is there in a tank in his room and I avoid her.

I also have a parrot. She is a cockatoo, actually, and she talks. She tells me she loves me all the time. This is nice because when I spend a lot of time alone, I start to wonder if anyone loves me. She confirms there is at least one bird on the planet who does.

Then there is Blossom. I talk to her. She is a Beta fish and sits on my desk. She sometimes mocks me when I don't have any good ideas, but she is usually supportive. She is full of wisdom.

Out on my porch, I have Zen, my canary. Love Zen! He sings sometimes. He is getting old for a canary . . . and I worry about Old Zen. I talk to him a lot. He knows ALL my problems.

And so that's my creature comfort. I do like the company. I love caring for them all. And I know, yes, as Americans, we own a lot of pets. But writers . . . well, we seem to have more than most.

So tell me about your pets if you have any.

Peace,
E