Week 18: Pets #52Ancestorsin52Weeks

Pets should be a good subject for me - given I have and have had so many! But all of my pets have been in my adult life. Well almost all - I was allowed to win a goldfish at the fair! But no cats, no dogs or other small animals.

It's not as though my parents weren't used to having animals around. My mum's dad, John Anderson, bred West Highland terriers so I've been told. His daughter Ann also had a West Highland terrier called Whin and I'm sure that was because she had grown up with that breed of dog around.

John Anderson, his daughter Ann, grandson Tom and one of the Westies

My dad too also had a dog (or dogs) around in his early life, although I know nothing about them.

My dad, John McAra and an unknown dog

The family seemingly had a cat too - but he showed no interest in having one himself - until, when living with them in 1983 and shortly before moving out, I brought home a wee black and white kitten. My dad promptly christened it "Whiskey" after the Black and White label beverage and .... decided he wanted to keep it! I had to go back and bring home one of its litter mates for me!

One of the last photos I have of my dad is with Whiskey. My dad died the following year, leaving my mum with a cat, which I'm sure she initially didn't want. But he was now hers and he lived with her until he was about 18 years old.

My dad and Whiskey

It is such a pity that the pets who so enrich our lives and who must almost certainly have enriched the lives of our ancestors are gone without a trace. No birth, death or census records for them. Yet they will have been very much part of the family, whether 'just' pets or working animals.

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