Introductions
 Sylvester
(1997-2005) adopted us in August of 1997 when he
was a kitten. He was deaf, had one amber eye and one blue eye, white
longhair, and a very bob tail (tight spiral actually). After doing some
research, we decided that he was a purebred
Manx. He was the short tail "rumpy riser" variety.
Sylvester was a neutered male, all white double coated fur. He was a
sweet-natured cat, who was content to laze around most of the day. He
didn't like to sit in laps, but didn't mind being picked up and carried around
providing you didn't sit down! Tucker and Sylvester grew up together, and
played together. In 2004 he was infected with Cryptococcus
- a nasty fungus which has the potential to kill animals (or humans), however it
is not infectious. Sylvester was treated with Itraconazole and
Ketaconazole - both anti-fungal drugs, but alas in May of 2005, he finally
succumbed to the disease. Mid-way through 2004 we also
discovered that Sylvester was diabetic...as if he didn't have enough health
problems We administered insulin
injections for the last year of his life. Suffer no more, Sylvester.
May you rest in peace. |
 Tucker
(1997-2011) We purchased
Tucker from a breeder in the Cowichan Valley in December of 1997 when he was a three month
old puppy. As a full grown 32 lb Parson Jack Russell,
he had tall,
straight legs
and a smooth coat. (Other varieties of Jack Russells have rougher coats and many
have short, bent legs.) Tucker
was very large for a Jack Russell - about the size of a
large-sized Fox Terrier. He bonded to Kirk and I very
closely, as Jack Russells are known to do...when he wasn't sleeping, his
eyes were constantly following us. He lived a good, long and active
life, but old age eventually caught up with him just before Christmas in
2011. A
Dog's Letter to God.Tucker
will always be Joe's best buddy. |
|
 Sheba
was adopted from the P.A.W.S.
Society in August 2003, after spending time in the local animal shelter, a
private shelter, and finally a retail store's adoption centre. She was in
several foster homes after her original owners surrendered her to the shelter,
and has had a rough life with little stability. She has adjusted to life
in our household quite well, and kept Tucker at bay. She is a
gentle cat - letting out little kitten squeaks when she is particularly happy,
but she does like to complain to her staff about the service levels on occasion!
We estimate she was born in 2000. Sheba is a spayed female, black with some sable colouring
and a small white wisp on her throat, semi-long hair, weighing in at
15lbs. In 2004 Sheba was near death after ingesting a Poinsettia leaf (we
think). Her liver shut down, she became jaundiced, and she eventually had
to be treated with Prednisone, which thankfully led to a full recovery.
She is now a fat and happy cat, preferring to sleep often, and rest in between
her frequent meals!
|
 Percival
(2003-2012) Percy was
a male tabby cat, who we adopted in early 2010 from a woman I knew who
could not take him with her when she relocated. He was a sweet cat,
who liked to purr, cuddle, and push Sheba's buttons (when he was
bored), although he was an active cat. He was also an accomplished escape
artist...having escaped twice during the first year of his stay with us. He was a good buddy to Tucker, giving Tucker some cat loving
during the short time they were together during his older years, and he
wrestled on the floor with both Rolly and Tanner!
Percy was a very talkative cat, sometimes sounding like a small child - quite a contrast to Sheba. He loved sleeping in his perpetually
warm bed on top of the hot water radiator heater in the dining room. He
was an
athletic and talented jumper onto other high perches as well, including
the kitchen counter when we were asleep. Percy died of lung and
esophageal cancer, and also suffered from serious heart arrhythmia,
although neither malady slowed him down until a couple of months before
his premature death. |
 Rolly
and Tanner are two brothers who we purchased in December 2011 at 11
weeks old from a breeder from the Comox Valley, a few weeks after
Tucker's death. As I write this, they are still young, untrained
puppies. Jack Russells are known to be full of energy and spunk, but
these two tykes push that level of activity over the top! They are
a handful, but we adore them. Rolly is the bigger of the two, and
the one with the brown and black spot on his ear and eye. Tanner
is the smaller and quieter one, and has the black spot over his ear and
eye. As you can see, they are both predominately white, and their
skin is not spotted like Tucker's was. They are both short-haired
and purebred Parson Jack Russell terriers. Their legs are
straight, and they will grow to be typical sized Jack Russells. It
looks like Rolly will be a bit taller than Tanner when full-grown. |
Pet Links
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Coherent Dog - Carol
Whitney's personal perspective on raising and living with dogs, as well as
numerous personal wanderings involving people, and even cats.
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Jack Russell Terrier - JRTCA -
Jack Russell Terrier Club of America - breeding, advice, rescue, trials, and
fun stuff too.
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The Laughing Dog
Press Virtual Kennel - dog humour and some good information is offered as
well.
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Dirt-Dog.com
- hunting, health, clubs, rescue, trials and events, and all other information
related to Jack Russell Terriers.
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Alpha
Boot Camp - who's in charge at your house? Your dog or you?
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Cat
Fanciers' Association Breed Profile Manx - fascinating information about the
Manx breed of cat.
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Photo Gallery
The photo gallery below
is sorted chronologically - most recent photos appear at the bottom of the page.
Sylvester as a kitten
September 1997 |
Sylvester looking coy - as a kitten, beside the lamp and phone.
September 1997 |
.
Tucker as a pup in his red sweater.
January 1998 |
Sylvester was such a playful cat. Here is
he is peeking out of a cereal box!
1998 |
Sylvester sleeping away a rainy day on the
Westcoast.
Autumn 1998 |
Sylvester on the front deck in the Fall of 1998.
"Why is Joe pointing that darned camera at me again?"
Autumn 1998 |
Tucker in Summit Park - his favourite local place for a walk
and a run.
October 1998 |
Woody, Tucker's best buddy.
January 1999 |
Holly - Tucker's girlfriend.
She can be a bit bitchy, and she likes her cookies!
October 1998 |
Sylvester hiding in the washing machine tub.
"Sometimes, I just hafta get away from that crazy dog!"
December 1998 |
Tucker opening his Christmas present
Christmas Eve, 1998. |
Tucker on the front steps, looking very handsome.
October 1998 |
Sylvester and Tucker playing on the bed.
Sylvester asks: "What does that dog find so fascinating about that dumb toy,
anyway?"
November 1998 |
Tucker on the bed with his rope/ball toy.
"I can play up here, can't I?"
November 1998 |
Tucker biting his soccer ball, which we found in Summit Park
the day after Christmas, 1998 |
Sylvester and Tucker playing on the cedar chest. Each puts a paw on the other's nose, and
it degenerates from there, until it is a full-scale fight!
Spring, 1998 |
Tucker snagged himself on a thorny bush, opening up a gash near his left
shoulder. After the vet glued him back together, we had to keep him from getting to
the wound to allow it to heal properly. The Buster collar
was a disaster, but Joe's modified plastic collar made out of a
yogurt container worked fine! As you can see, Sylvester was taking advantage
of the situation when Tucker was still recovering from going to the vet (in the Buster
collar picture).
January 1999
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Tucker & Cheryl on Cedar Hill Golf Course chip trail
February, 2000 |
Tucker & Cheryl on Cedar Hill Golf Course, new Duck Pond
February, 2000 |
Tucker & Joe on the new Duck Pond platform, Cedar Hill Golf Course
February, 2000 |
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Help! They put my new toy up on a shelf I can't reach.
March, 2000 |
A co-worker's partner is a Canadian postal worker, and she gave Tucker
this U.S. Postal worker squeaky toy.
He loves it (to death)!
March, 2000 |
It doesn't get any better than this - my new chew toy on the bed.
March, 2000 |
The piggy and Sylvester - what attitude!
August 2001 |
Sylvester is sleeping through a hot summer day in August
2001 |
Tucker is also trying to cope with the hot weather in
August 2001 |
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Tucker climbing on a log
"king of the castle"
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park
December 2003 |
A portrait of
Tucker, our Jack Russell Terrier
Painted by Brenda Hodson |
Christmas 2002 - Tucker opening his presents |
Sylvester - October 2003 |
Sylvester - March 2004
A cat in a bag |
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Black & White Bookends
Sheba and Sylvester
March 2004 |
Sylvester & Sheba deciding who owns
the cat condo
September 2004 |
Sylvester - Christmas 2004
It's all just too much for
me...zzzz |
Sheba - August 2003
A few days after her arrival in our home, she has already found her favorite
chair. |
Tucker - Christmas 2004
Oh boy, a new squeeky toy! |
Sheba - Christmas 2004
OK you have your photo, now
get that thing off my head! |
Sheba - January 2005
Thanks for putting my bed near the hot water heater - it's cold
outside...and I'm a heat-loving cat! |
Tucker - January 2005
Playing in the snow at Summit Park |
Sheba - June 2005
Our sun goddess Sheba soaking up the sunshine on the back porch. When
the weather is hot, she stays out there most of the day. She even
rolls over on her back and suns her tummy! |
Sheba - July 2005
"See how big my teeth are?"
Actually, this was just a big yawn. Sheba was out on the back porch
again relaxing in the sunshine |
Tucker in
one of his favorite spots
on Joe's lap in the office
Oct 29, 2007 |
Tucker on the big cushion - August 2005
If you look closely, you will see a gash on
Tucker's nose.
He stuck his nose a little too close to a raccoon, and paid the price. |
Tucker - August 2006
Tucker is wearing a t-shirt because he has a rash
on his chest and shoulders. He is also wearing
a sock on one of his back feet because he has
a sore toe. We're not into dressing up Tucker,
but he compulsively licks these wounds, so the
clothes keep him away from them. |
Percival - May 2010
Percy is enjoying the morning sunshine from
Sheba's bed. |
Tanner at 11 weeks old - December 2011 |
Rolly at 11 weeks old - December 2011 |
Brothers curled together - nap time for Rolly & Tanner
at 11 weeks old |
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