A wonderful 2013 Labour day Long Weekend with Zoey & Timmy
These are names of two pets – one a big dog with orange/white coat (Zoey) and another a beautiful furry black cat (Timmy). These are pets of our neighbours – a good patriotic family . The husband served in Afghanistan with the Canadian Army with a dedication that is the mark of our Canadian Army personnel.
A loving family – who have a daughter who had to go to her university at Waterloo, Ontario during the Labour day long week-end.
So parents decided to drive her there and bring her comfort in settling down at her place in Waterloo.
The pets were to be left home. So to take care of them they approached us if we can look after them when they are away on the road – from Thursday to Sunday . Of course we said yes . First because it is our nature to help others – specially our neighbours – if we can . Second this neighbour had always been helpful to us whenever we needed any help.
Only hitch to this plan was that in our 73 years of life on this earth – we had never had a pet nor we are familiar with dogs and cats – their habits and needs . To a certain extent, we are also a bit scared of dogs if not of cats. Complicating the situation is our fear of allergy – specially from Cat’s hair .
But we (both my wife and I ) were proud to be asked – to take care of two pets – when the family was away.
The situation was exciting – as the trust shown by our neighbours in their pets to behave well when they were away – remember two diverse specimen of pets – one a dog and the other a cat – each to co-habit with another without trying to tear each other out in the absence of their human masters. Also trust shown for their neighbours – us – not from the same cultural background and sufficiently senior in age to take care of their precious pets in their absence.
We duly said yes – our main task was to take the pets out each day in the morning for about 2 hours and in the evening also for about the same number of hours. Along with that , to check the fullness of feed dishes and water bowls . A note (on a small white board) in the neighbours living room mentioned that Zoey be offered doggy treat as thought necessary (my words).
Well Thursday (2013 August 29) – just after lunch or around that time – the neighbours were on the road taking their daughter for university life in Waterloo.
The main responsibility to check on the pets and bringing them outdoors fell on me while wife providing support (moral and otherwise) with great happiness and satisfaction in her heart.
Thursday 2013 August 29
Being a bit apprehensive as to how the pets will respond to me, on Thursday morning , I had gone over to neighbours (before their departure to Waterloo) to get proper instructions as what care needs to be looked after. At that time , I got the opportunity to pat Zoey and also to tickle the cat (Timmy) on his tummy – in that way both pets got to know my body smell and me .
I have not known Timmy (the cat) before -in fact did not know that the neighbours had a cat . I knew Zoey – the big amazing and sweet dog. Mostly had communicated with him across the fence from our backyard . I do not remember I had ever gone out and patted him – I may have earlier – over the last couple of years but I cannot recall such connection.
4.15 pm – went to the neighbours’ house – from the backdoor ( crossing the porch) . The backyard is fully fenced with automatic latch door .
Both pets were lazing around in the house – very peacefully – in the corridor behind the back door.
The evening – outdoors – was warm and somewhat humid. The pets were just compliant – no whimper of protest or anything that can frighten me.
NOTE: As a precaution, I did not wear my sandals but shoes – in case there was any untoward menace from the pets – especially from the dog. Nada.
They were on their the best behaviour and an example of friendliness between themselves and towards me.
I surveyed the food dishes and water bowls – they were still full – a little had been eaten as yet.
The pets were let out in the backyard. Timmy had to be lifted out but Zoey did come out by himself – all proud and sure of himself.
In the backyard , they just lounged around – not much activity . I guess they were missing the family
I went back at 5.15 pm and let them in the house – they were ready near the backdoor to get in.
Friday 2013 August 30
9.20 am – went in the morning to let both Zoey and Timmy out in the yard. I found both of them waiting inside near the back door – to come out in the yard. They came out on the porch very nicely. I went in the house to check on the food consumed . At that time I saw the note on the small white board against one wall of the living room – saying that Zoey can be given a treat during the day.
I searched for the doggie treat and found in the kitchen two bags – one for doggie Milk Bones and another of Chicken strips – suppose to help dogs for their joints etc.
When they were outdoors, Jackie had gone out in our yard to watch over the pets and at that time she found Zoey was having a pow-wow (communication by barking ) with another dog in the park . He seems to be enjoying the experience.
I went back to neighbours at 11.20 am and let the pets in the house. They were both quite ready to get in the house – sitting on the porch near the back door waiting for me.
I gave Zoey his treats for the day .
During the afternoon the sky had become dark and there was some rain outburst but then there was a constant rain falling. So at 5.00 pm when I went to have the pets come outdoors – it was raining and neither Zoey nor Timmy wanted to come outdoors . I decided to let them remain indoor at that time.
I went back at 6.00 pm and at that time I stroke both Timmy and Zoey . Timmy just rolled over for me to stroke (tickle) him more on his belly . At that time I also gave Zoey a few treats of Milk Bones and a couple of chicken strips. They definitely wanted to remain indoor. So I let them as outdoor was wet .
Saturday 2013 August 31
8.30 am – went in the morning to let both Zoey and Timmy out in the yard. Zoey was ready waiting inside near the door – so I let him out. I could not see Timmy around . It took a few minutes to find him – he was well ensconced on the big bed – in the corner where two walls meet and close to the walls.
It took a while to coax him out – I had to carry him outdoors .
Cat food and water in the dish near the door ( to the living room) were finished and also over the drawer too. I filled those and at the same time I topped the dog food in the bowl near the fireplace.
At about 10.00 am Jackie went in our backyard to see that both pets are doing okay. She found both of them quiet and lazing on the porch – seem to her that they were sort of sad – for I guess missing the their human family.
I went back at 10.30 am let them in the house – they were ready near the backdoor to get in.
I went back at around 1.45 pm to let the pet out for the afternoon as we had to go out for a social in the evening .
Zoey was sprawled on his cushion in the bedroom and came out on calling but Timmy was not found immediately. I had to look around and almost got panicked where he had gone . I am sure he did not go in the basement as I had closed the door the previous day and he cannot go upstairs as all doors there were also closed too. But in my third look around, I found Timmy perched so quietly over the sofa (along the window in the front of the living room) backstand. So I had to coax him and carry Timmy outdoors to join Zoey there.
At about that time I saw some pet turd on the living room carpet . ( possibly due to rain – they did/could not go outdoors on Friday evening)
Also gave Zoey some treat outdoors . The afternoon was pleasant – not much hot – a bit cloudy .
Brought them back indoor at about 4.15 pm . They were glad to come indoor . Again Zoey got some treat of Milk Bones and Chicken strips.
Also at that Time I removed the turd from the carpet and a couple of other places in the corridor and flushed that in the toilet .
Sunday 2013 September 01
9.00 am – went in the morning to let both Zoey and Timmy out in the yard. I found both of them waiting inside near the back door – to come out in the yard.
Went back at 11.00 am and brought the pets indoors. Patted and stroked them . Timmy liked that .
Also gave Zoey his treat – all the last remaining Milk Bone and Chicken strips
Said adieus to the most lovely pets – now they wait inside for their human family to return back from Waterloo.
At 3.00 pm I phoned (from Petawawa – where we had gone to attend the FSNA picnic) the neighbours on their home phone – they were back from Waterloo at about 1.30 pm and glad to be united with their pets after a sojourn/separation of about 3 days .
Conclusion:
This had been a wonderful experience and an excellent learning about pets and the joy one derives from having them. All our 73 years of age -we never had pets and never before baby sat or looked after any pets but these two (Zoey and Timmy – a dog and cat) showed how living beings can live together and enjoy each other.
I appreciate this opportunity which came suddenly and we took the assignment with open hearts and without any fear – though we were not sure how the pets will take us – but they were magnificent and obedient and showed no displeasure being looked after by me directly and Jackie otherwise.
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Another Opportunity to look after Zoey & Timmy
Note: after the neighbours return home on Sunday 2013 September 01- next day they were at our home to thanks us – at that time they were given a copy of his article.
On subsequent day, they mentioned that they liked the article except that they were the ones who kept the basement door open – for Timmy’s litter box was in basement.
Becoming the pets’ grandparents.
Thursday 2013 September 12 – the neighbour came over to our home – he wanted us to look after the dog & cat ( Zoey & Timmy) during the upcoming week-end as they were going to Brockville .
So it fell on me to bring Zoey & Timmy out of the house on Saturday 2013 September 14 and see that theya re well fed etc.