July Meme - 2nd July

[dizzojay]

casey28 asked me what my favourite animal was.

That's a hard one because I'm a bit of a sucker for any animal (except spiders!)



But I think I can safely say my favourite animals are rabbits and horses.  My Mum doesn't like cats and my Dad doesn't like dogs, so when I was a kid, rabbits were the best compromise pet.  I had pet rabbits from the time I was eight, to when I was in my mid-thirties.  A couple of them were house rabbits who were with me for over nine years and so I got to know their little personalities and attitudes very well, and I have to say that, sadly, rabbits are just the most underrated animal ever.

My last bunny, Angus, I swear he had a touch of Crowley in him.  He was a defiant, ornery little nutcase, and I loved him to bits.  Before him, Oscar was my wee pocket rocket, and he bagged a starring role in my wedding video. Oscar never accepted Barry muscling in on his owner, and one of my last memories of Oscar is him attacking Barry's trouser leg and tearing a hole in it!

Here's Angus with a very wild-haired me!



Horses were also a big part of my life.  Although I never owned one, I used to ride every weekend and spent as much time as I could around the stables, just enjoying being around the horses.  I love to draw horses; they're a real challenge, and they're such beautiful animals, the sense of satisfaction I get when I get it right is overwhelming.

This is Cobbles.  He was a Shire x some kind of mediumweight hunter type, and because I was one of the taller ladies at the pony club, I often used to get to ride him.  He was such a gentle giant, and such fun to ride, it was like sitting in an armchair!

Comments

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

That was a wonderful post! Absolutely wonderful! I too grew up with rabbits, bloody tons of them! And riding horses (loan outs and renters plus working for rides lessons) and I agree, horses are beautiful and majestic and so intelligent. Rabbits are much under loved but actually are amazingly great pets and can be trained! Rosie (our wild bunny who got stepped on by my papa at about four weeks old) learned to use a litter tray, never once strayed from our garden despite it being open slat fencing and she was with us five years and they were the most wonderful five years. Thanks for sharing honey :D

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It breaks my heart when I see how so many rabbits are neglected. They're such intelligent, loving animals, and they need stimulation as much as a cat or a dog. I used to have a bunny called Snowy that followed me round the garden like a little puppy and used to sit and eat toast with me. I got him when I was eight and he died when I was seventeen. He saw me all the way through school and into work. I literally grew up with him!

[casey28.livejournal.com]

Two wonderful animals to love! Aww, such lovely pics of you with Angus and Cobbles. Bunnies are so precious, and you're right, they're underrated. And horses are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing! <3

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

You're welcome - glad you enjoyed it :D