Came across these pictures tonight

of Cerys (the dog) and her constant companion Darius (the cat), as well as Spock. In September it will be seven years since Cerys died, the last of my furry companions. I've been petless since (except for fish--Darius preceded her, which was just as well, for while he adored her and would have mourned her terribly, she was somewhat long-suffering about a cat that wanted to constantly sit upon and cuddle up with her).  It was the first time without pets in 27 years.  I loved my animals so much. Spock, Cerys, Buns, Darius, even the somewhat evil Basil I had for awhiel. It's just so odd to not have dogs or cats in my house, and yet I am a good aunt to others. But it's not quite time for one of my own, yet. I'm not sure I'll ever get another dog, to be honest--I don't know if I could do it. I love cats, and I love dogs (although I'm allergic to both), but it seems you bond even more with a dog, or at least that was the case with Cerys, although I was very close to Spock, particularly, who was a cat, the first kitten I got as an adult. But when you bond with them and they are your family, it is so hard to let them go when it's time. But at some point I'll probably break down and get a cat. Or two. :) But not now, right?

Darius and Cerys

Spock

I also found this picture

Spock was already 12 by this time. His Star Trek-shaped grey spot on his forehead, from which he got his name (hey, pointed ears?) had faded by then. His right eye was blue, hence the reflection from the flash. He was the sweetest cat I've ever met, and also the dumbest. Sweet and dumb seem to go hand in hand. He was the one animal I did not have to have put down; he died in my arms at the age of 17. I think he was a little cross at wearing a bow, or at least as cross as he ever got.

There was one more cat, but he never came out when I had company, for the most part. It wasn't until maybe the last four years or so he'd come out to be with me; he was a very shy, retiring cat. That was Darius. He came to me in the backyard as a kitten while I was giving my monthly libation, meowing to be let in. She (Hekate) is known for a connexion with dogs, but hey, I decided to take it as a sign and took the little fellow in. Oddly enough, he bonded like glue with Cerys, and to her dismay took to sitting on her often.

In my adult life, I've only had one other pet, Basil, a beagle-basset cross that I found wandering in the Chevy Chase area. I had to eventually find a home for him, because he was absolutely incapable of being housebroken. Cerys was much happier, too. It broke my rule that pets are for life, but there you go. I gave him to a family that could be with him longer hours of the day and walk him more frequently, and did disclose his issues. I hope it worked out. I have to admit, there was a lot of relief on my end. I hope they did not curse my name too much afterwards.

For the first time since I was about 13, I am petless, unless you count a few goldfish. Sometimes I think of getting a kitten, but I'm not ready yet. And I don't know if any dog could be such a good match for me as Cerys was. Plus, Cerys came to me at 8 months, already housebroken and past (most) of the destructive stage. I'm not sure I have the energy for a puppy. :) But maybe a kitten. Someday.