Animal House

Actually, if you look at our family, it would be Animal HOUSES…I don’t think we have a relative that doesn’t have a pet of one kind or another.  Many of you commented on my post the other day when son John (Red) lost his longtime feline companion, Pita.  He read every comment and said that it really helped to know so many people care and understand.  Thank you so much from both of us.  I am happy to report that John has a new kitty, Margo, a two-year-old rescue.  As he said on Facebook, “I have too much love for kitties to be kittyless.”  John also said, “You're right, I can't replace Pita. But I was thinking about it quite a bit and in Pita's final moments she was so calm and relaxed in my arms. She was truly at peace and felt very loved. If she could talk, I think she would tell me that she was the luckiest kitty on earth. I think Pita would want me to share that love with other kitties as well.”  What a guy.  There are no pictures of Margo yet as she is very shy and John does not want to spook her by following her around with a camera and having a flash go off in her eyes. 
I do have a picture of a new Grand-dog though.  Grandson Corbin will turn 12 on January 9th and he got a puppy for his birthday.  His name is Bertram and he is terrier and Pomeranian.  He reminds me a little of Nellie’s dog, Bosco.








He is an adorable little fella and I think they will make a good pair.




Granddaughter Anna also got a new kitty for Christmas and she is so happy with her.  This is also a rescue kitty, and her name is Shea (Shay).


It seems like many in the RV community have dogs or cats and some, sadly, have lost their beloved companions recently.  There is just something so unconditional about the love you receive from a dog or a cat that makes it so hard when they cross that Rainbow Bridge.  For all of the pet lovers out there, I want to recommend a book.  In a shameless bit of promotion, I want to pass on to you a book written by my brother, David Fritsche.  His book has been out for a while now but he recently published it as an affordable e-book and I think many of you would enjoy it.  If you have ever loved a pet, or if you have ever lost a pet, this book will touch your heart. 


My brother got his first German Shepherd Dog (GSD) when he was only 15 years old.  She was a descendant of the famous Rin Tin Tin and he has been forever a lover of that breed (and all other dogs too!).  His book is not only a memoir of the dogs he has loved  in the last 50+ years, it is a testament to the human/animal connection.  There is no one that I know who has lived a life of love, acceptance, and forgiveness more than my brother.  In his younger years, he was a police officer in our small California town and helped them begin a canine unit.  In later life David went on to other careers, but his dogs were always front and center of his life.  


This book, The Dog is My Shepherd, is full of stories of his relationships with those dogs and is by turns, humorous, insightful, and sometimes poignant.  Below are links to both the Kindle and other e-Reader versions.  If you like dogs, you will like this book.  Enjoy and pass the word along to other pet lovers in your circle of friends.



Other e-Reader versions


Kindle version







David is also the author of the German Shepherd version of Barron’s Dog Bibles.    If you are considering owning a German Shepherd or already own one, this is a great book by folks who know dogs.

I had a wonderful birthday today and don’t feel a day older than I did last year!!  Thank you all so much for your Happy Birthday wishes.  It really meant a lot to me.  Hopefully we will be back on the road before too much more winter passes us by and we may even see some of you all back in California or Arizona.  Safe Travels to you all.