Pleasant Squeals from my Tiny Critters - Time Out #497

Don't forget to wear something green Monday when we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. If not, you might get pinched! It is the one day across America many of our citizens claim to be Irish. Some of those so-called Irish folks I certainly wonder about, dear faithful readers in Our Town and far beyond? 

     Growing up in Our Town in the 1950's-60's, yours truly was certainly filled with lots of energy and enthusiasm. 

     When I wasn't in Westwood or Eugene Field Elementary Schools or Stillwater Jr. High School, I was moving all over our wonderful little community, vigorously peddling one of my bicycles, or riding my pretty BSA motorcycle. Remember, those were much more gentler and simpler times to grow up.     

     Yes, I played little league basketball and baseball in grade school and jr, high, and YMCA-sponsored football in jr, high, Yes, I went to various functions with my community leader father, Col. C. H. Breedlove, in and around Our Town, and, yes, I my father took me on many business and personal travel trips throughout 

Our Country, and especially all over Our State. 

     But, when I wasn't busy with attending school or one of the other activities previously mentioned, I was dedicated to raising my many pets. All through my youth years in Our Town, our home could have been confused with a mini-zoo. Two of the critter varieties I raised for several years were pigeons and guinea pigs.

     I can't remember exactly what got me interested in raising pigeons, but I think it was my father's influence.

I believe he raised them when he was growing up in Ardmore, OK. My dad was a pretty good carpenter, and his home-constructed pigeon enclosures were erected in our backyards. I was involved with raising both wild pigeons I caught, and fancy breeds I purchased, such as homers, fantails, rollers, tumblers, runts, pouters,

and others. Our Town had an local pigeon club, and I was active, attending meetings and shows. I also exhibited my birds regularly at the annual Payne County Free Fair. The fair was held then, those long-ago years, at Couch Park. Pigeons have high metabolism, and require lots of daily human attention. Raising  them for several years taught me I certainly had to be responsible, tending those beautiful animals I owned.

     My guinea pigs required my regular attention, too, but because they are mostly a warm weather creature, I had to pay extra attention to them during Our Town's colder months. The little rodents have outstanding  personalities, and are fun to handle. They have a high-pitched bark/squeal, and are very entertaining. The more time you spend with them one-on-one, the tamer the little guinea pigs become. Even today, I remember some of my favorite guinea pigs pets from way-back-then. Definitely, good memories. 

     So, over the years as my bride, Lady Deborah, and I raised our 3 children, we kept family pets in and outside our home. Like it did for me, this taught our kid trio personal responsibilities required to care for living critters. All our children have continued our family tradition of raising pets in their own adult homes.

     Caring for pets could be considered a form of "Paying it forward" toward Mother Nature's gifts to us.