When I was a kid, I remember having three pets over a series of approximately six years. About the time I was six – twelve we had two dogs and a parakeet. One of my aunts gave us Spot and a few years later I brought home Beauty from the neighbor down the street. I think the parakeet was my sister, Sharron’s choice. I don’t really recall. I do know that Spot and Beauty went to live on a farm in the country because my dad took them there. At least that’s what my mom told me.
I think about my youth when I consider my grandchildren’s. David had a Rottweiler named Nikita before he and Lindsay got married. I always like Nikita, but she was huge, so when Brady was born Lindsay insisted that Nikita move on. David took her to a Rottweiler rescue. They’ve added other pets over the past twenty plus years, but I think they were all approved until Eva brought home Larry. Larry’s a cat.
Larry’s not the first cat that they’ve had. Hazel was the first. Hazel was feral. She just showed up one day and they started to care for her. She lived outside and, spent some time in their garage, but Eva took responsibility for feeding her. Hazel moved when they moved. I’m not sure if they moved her or if she made the five mile walk on her own.
One day she took off and Eva wanted a second cat. Her parents said, “No.” At least that’s how I remember it. I wasn’t there all of the time, but I picked up bits and pieces from the outside looking in. If Eva reads this, she’ll point out the errors for me.
Last April, when Eva, Brady, Lindsay and David were visiting me in Florida, Larry arrived at their home in Michigan. Eva set a plan in motion before she made the trip from Michigan to Florida. One of her friends brought Larry to the house so he could settle into his new home while the crew was out of town. He bunked in Eva’s room most of the time and for about three days after everyone arrived back in Michigan.
Ultimately, Eva introduced Lindsay, David and Brady to Larry. She’s a bright girl and named her new cat after her paternal grandfather. He’s been gone for over five years, and Eva was sure they wouldn’t shun a cat that had been named after Lindsay’s dad. I’m sure there was some initial reluctance, but Larry’s been a part of the family for the past six months. He’s won everyone’s heart. Even Poncho, their Australian Sheep dog.
Eva has taken responsibility for Larry’s care. She’s paid all of the vet bills, provided him with top of the line everything, buys his food, and she loves him. I think the love part sold the deal to her parents. They weren’t kicking Larry out even if the plan was developed on the DL (down low).
Eva turns eighteen on Friday. She’s quite a girl. Like her brother and cousin Jackson, I loved her before I met her. She’s my only granddaughter so that adds to my support. She’s always been true to herself even if others didn’t agree. She’s been marching to her own drummer since the day she was born and I’m sure she will for the rest of her days. That’s one of the reasons why people love her like they do.
She’s in the process of deciding what’s next for herself. She’s got a spiral notebook with a list of pros and cons for about a half dozen higher education choices. I hope she opts for at least a year at a junior college because you can go for free now in Michigan for up to two years. It’s an inexpensive way to help ensure that you’re on the right path.
She plans to seek a medical career. She already has her CNA and will have her MA by the time she has her high school diploma. She’ll continue her review and choose wisely.
When I was making such a choice sixty years ago, I applied to four colleges. The four I chose didn’t require an application fee. That’s why I chose them. Two turned me down and two accepted me. In the end, it sounded cooler to be a Bronco than a Huron, so I chose Western over Eastern.
Eva will make her decision more thoughtfully than I made mine. She’ll continue to explore her choices and choose her own path. No matter what she decides, Larry and I will support her decision because we love her.