The library will begin its ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY READ with
multiple events on Tuesday March 25. As
many of you may already know the book that we chose is FOLLOWING ATTICUS:
FORTY-EIGHT HIGH PEAKS, ONE LITTLE DOG, AND AN EXTRAORDINARY FRIENDSHIP by Tom
Ryan. I have already learned that
Atticus is a miniature schnauzer and is a delightful dog to have as a
companion. This got me thinking about the pets in my life and I was amazed to remember
some names!
We did have a puppy
dog for about two weeks when I was probably about 5 and my brother was 3. I
“think” the dog’s name was Tippy. After
Tippy gnawed the arms of one of my Mothers nice upholstered chairs he was
returned to puppy land. The chair remained with us forever and you could
visibly see the teeth marks! We also had a wonderful canary named Sammy (maybe
Uncle Sam). I do not know what happened to him or how long he was with us. The next animal in our family became our very
beloved pet for 22 years. Topsy (I do not know who named her) was a kitten we
chose on the last day of our vacation on Monhegan Island , Maine Maine . We are cat people! Along came Inky a
coal black tiny kitten and then an orange cat- I forget her name.
Thus ends my childhood pets. We have always had cats from
the time before our son was born right up to today. First came a brother and
sister Frodo and Gimli – treasured cats who lived with us for many years. Frodo
was NOT a very good hunter and probably would not have been successful in a
quest to get rid of a ring but Gimli was. The next two kittens also a brother
and sister were PippIn (Peregrin Took) and Brandy (Meriadoc Brandybuck). Pippen died early but Brandy was a spoiled
calico cat with a wonderful disposition. Now we have two sibling brothers
Strider (Aragorn’s other name) and Grey (Gandalf the Grey). Can you guess one
of Margot’s very very favorite sagas – LORD OF THE RINGS by Tolkien??? We now
keep our cats in and have delighted in seeing very strong personalities.
Stridey is a bully and not too bright and Gray is a hunter and affectionate and
unfortunately has to do a lot of hiding.
We love them.
BUT this does not mean that we deprived our son of other
wonderful pets. You know those great goldfish that one wins at the local
carnival? Well- Mark brought one home and of course we had to get the goldfish
bowl, the food etc. and try to learn about fish. I hate to say this but he did not last very
long. Then I remember Mark coming home with a lizard and I think he named it
Reggie. Well, Reggie did not last too long either – I was not happy when he
escaped in the living room!
On Wednesday March 26 at 7PM come meet Atticus and Tom Ryan
at the movie theater. The program is for
adults and young adults. Those desiring to attend must register at the library
781-769-0200 x110. The program is free. Tickets will be held at the theater.
By the way the library has a great book collection on pets
of all kinds mostly in the 636 category.
A few suggestions might include: “Before and After Getting Your Puppy”
by Dr. Ian Dunbar 636.7 Dunbar, “The Perfect Kitten How to Raise a Problem Free
Cat” by Peter Neville 636.8 Nev. “Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish” by
David Alderton 639.34 Alderton, “Lizard
Care From A to Z” by R.D.Bartlett 639.39
Bar, and a variety of other instructional and informative items. Do come to the
library and tell us about your pet!
