Elegant pets

[storeynicholas]

Here is PB II ('PB' = 'Polar Bear' and 'II' because he is the younger of two; although, at the time of writing, one of twelve):




NJS

[rjman]

I approve. I believe the RJ cat was part Siamese, which manifested in his blue-green eyes.

[storeynicholas]

Thank you, R J. PB II is a very remarkable cat. About six weeks ago he disappeared for a week (as they doi, sometimes) but we were worried and calling out for him. Eventually, he turned up, mewing, next to our neighbours' swimming pool and we could see him from the top of our house. I tried to rouse the neighbours but it was a hot afternoon and they must have been having a siesta. So, confident that they wouldn't mind, I scaled the wall and picked him up and then made away over a lower wall. He had been injured quite badly on the back legs and one was (the vet told us) slightly dislocated. But from the moment that I picked him up he kept purring and the vet found this ''most interesting''. He also remarked on what a fine specimen ot a Siamese cat he is. But he is not a pure Siamese, at all; his queen is a tortoiseshell moggy (father unknown). It must be a very strong gene!
NJS

[shredder]

I am not sure if 'elegant' is the word that comes to mind when describing Pascha but thought that a canine representative might be warranted.

[storeynicholas]

Very elegant dog! I used to have one of the original King Charles type (yours is a Cavalier, isn't he?) - mine had longer legs and a little compact face of the type.

[shredder]

Thanks. Yes, he is a Cavalier. It's not easy to find the original King Charles these days. Like many dogs, he lacks physical grace, but I suppose that his elegance lies in his temperament and character.

My father used to keep a male lion at our house. Shortly after I was born, my mother convinced him to find the great feline another home lest I accidentally end up being a light luncheon one day. There is a rather amusing photo of my father rolling around in the garden with him. Crazy man. However, I must say that the lion was one elegant pet.

[storeynicholas]

Thanks. Yes, he is a Cavalier. It's not easy to find the original King Charles these days. Like many dogs, he lacks physical grace, but I suppose that his elegance lies in his temperament and character.

My father used to keep a male lion at our house. Shortly after I was born, my mother convinced him to find the great feline another home lest I accidentally end up being a light luncheon one day. There is a rather amusing photo of my father rolling around in the garden with him. Crazy man. However, I must say that the lion was one elegant pet.

A relative by marriage had a few lions on his farm in Cornwall and they even bred there. I recall once that my mother was playing with some cubs in the house and one of them playfully bit her and so, every now and again, she comes out with a reminiscence of the day that she was bitten by a lion. I don't know what, ultimately, happened to them but the farm was near Bodmin Moor, which is famous for sightings of a large feline predator and missing sheep... I think that cheetahs would make great pets a trio on the one hand and a trio of Borzois on the other.

[couch]

I think that cheetahs would make great pets a trio on the one hand and a trio of Borzois on the other.

I should think managing two such teams would quite relieve one from any obligation to visit the gymnasium.

[Simon A]

..

[shredder]

Speaking of the original King Charles spaniel... with their pet Elsa Peretti (1974).

[storeynicholas]

Here's my old King Charles spaniel (Duncan) but the picture is poor and old (astonishing to think that it is nearly twenty odd yeard old):



NJS

[shredder]

NJS, I would say that you ought to think about getting another one, but I suppose that your new base may be a bit too warm for them?
s

[storeynicholas]

I don't know what has happened to the photo! It was OK when I posted it. I shall have to attend to it. Shredder - I suppose that a King Charles spaniel would stand the heat but not so sure about all the cats!!
NJS

[carl browne]

These are beautiful animals, unquestionably.

But I'm of the opinion that in order to be truly elegant, a pet must be both impractical and exotic. A cheetah, perhaps, or a small herd of springbok grazing on the lawn. Cats and dogs are far too useful and easy to live with to be truly elegant. My own wonderful Australian Shepherd would be one of the worst. She was bred to work. Not to pick up birds, or chase game or assist in other gentlemanly pursuits, but to HERD SHEEP. Unforgivable!

[storeynicholas]

But, Carl, if as I suspect, you have no sheep, then her qualification becomes redundant and therefore, impractical. Therefore, she can be elegant according to your own criteria, which include impracticality!
NJS