I don’t remember much from being a little girl. Well, yes, bits and parts, it’s details I don’t remember like so many others seem to. This has always bothered me because John can remember so much of his childhood – even when he was 2-years old.
The other day, my mom gave me this photo of me as a little girl with our cat Tiger. I love to see photos like this trying to remember details. What was going through my head at that age? Is this when my love for animals began?
But the cards were against me and my love of animals, when I was diagnosed with asthma. One of the biggest culprits to bring on my attacks was animal dander — especially from cats. It seemed such a cruel trick for someone like myself who loves animals.
As a child, I remember we had to find a new home for our poodle, Pixie. Turning blue and freaking my mom out all the time was taking it’s toll I suppose. I say that lightly, but if I could get in my head at that age, I’d likely have taken not breathing well over having a pet.
That is how it would play out when I got married and had a home of my own. I wanted a cat so bad. I was willing to deal with the “inconvenience” of my lungs not being able to take in air very well.
To some, I know that sounds odd. But being around animals is what makes my heart sing. It never seemed fair that I had to deal with this health challenge when I love animals so much.
For many years, John and I had cats. Jezabelle, Conway, Tigger, Sally, Tucker and Dani. Not all at one time of course, but three at one time.
It really wasn’t until the last one, Dani, passed away quite a few years ago that we decided no more cats. It would also be a few months later that I realized how my breathing changed for the better.
Having dogs, luckily, are a different story as their dander does not bother me nearly as much. So I guess this is the compromise – dogs and happy lungs. I can live with that.
But, oh, if I had my way, I’d have a whole farm of animals to tend to. Maybe in my next life. And please, dear universe, grant me wonderful lungs then too.