Daddies and mommies know I do a lot of writing about the animals in our house. Like our children, some of these stories provide a little more excitement than we would like. If it’s a mess in the house or a special trip to the vet, or a combination of the two, Kitty and Doggie have provided some adventures that leave Wife and I collapsing on our bed at the end of the stay, staring at the ceiling.
Our Pets Help in Different Ways
People have pets for companionship. It’s a far cry from the good old days when dogs would be used for hunting out in the fields or warning residents of visitors to the village. That being said, Doggie does get a little excited and boisterous when someone approaches our door or, God forbid, walks past our house.
Kitty does protect our house. Members of my household may not agree with this irrefutable statement of fact, but I know what I see when Kitty and I are hanging out. Her services have prevented mice from infiltrating our home and other rodents from pillaging our fruit and vegetable gardens.
Animals provide protection and companionship. My family is grateful for the many gifts they provide us, and we show our appreciation in return with food, shelter, and the occasional gift and/or treat.
A Children’s Book about Dogs and Cats
If you are a pet owner, or just someone who loves animals, you should see the works of Gloria Kundig and Caroline George. These animal-loving ladies have written children’s books about a dog named Winston and his cat friends, Rollo, Rooney, and Kaia. These books are great for you to read with your children or for your children to practice reading on their own. I tried many times to have The Boy read to me, but according to him, it was always better to have it the other way around.
The Cast of Characters
- Winston – A Dachshund
- Rollo – A British longhair cat
- Rooney – A British shorthair cat
- Kaia – A ragdoll cat
Winston and his African Adventure
One day, Winston and the cats are out in the backyard enjoying the sunshine when Winston came across an old map. The excited dog galloped to his feline friends to show them what he found laying in the yard. It was a map of Africa. The friends packed treats and toys and made their journey there. The friends encountered jungles and savannahs and met new friends who lived there. Winston and the cats also learned about bravery from a lion. The four domesticated animals marveled at the stripes on a zebra and the speed of a cheetah. All the while, there was fun and games and new friendships.
Winston and the cats returned home and told the humans about the fun they had in Africa, the games they played and the things they learned. Their time with the new friends allowed them to learn about a new place and the animals who call that new place home.
A Quest to Find his Purpose
“Your family loves you, and you already do a lot for them.” – Rollo
There is another story about Winston shared by Gloria and Caroline. In this story, Winston sees his humans working around the house cleaning and making sure everything is orderly. Winston wants to help the family. He wants to be able to contribute, but this mission isn’t as easy as he first thought it would be.
Winston wants to weed the garden, but he ends up pulling flowers out of the garden. He wants to make something yummy for the family. Unfortunately, Winston finds out he’s not a great cook. He then tries to clean up around the house. This doesn’t end well. Here’s a hint: How do dogs clean themselves?
Things don’t go as planned for Winston. Luckily, Rollo sees something is bothering him and explains he already does things for his family. Our pets don’t realize (or don’t care) that they contribute to their household just by being friends and companions. Cats rest on out laps when we’re sitting reading or watching television. Dogs can sense when we’re feeling down and come up to us to cheer us up. There are many things our pets can do to cheer us up after a bad day.
Winston’s books contain a lot of self-discovery and adventures. As I mentioned before, they are easy enough to read on their own, or you can have fun reading these with your children. You can also use your imagination. What do you think your children would do if they had the chance to explore in Africa?
