What’s in a Name By Sara John
This period of so-called ‘Harmless House Arrest’ has encouraged many people to think about finding an animal companion, or two or three. They used to be called ‘Pets’ but there were so many complaints to the Woof Times, the Western Meows, Horses Own, Donkeys Weekly, Ewes and Ours that ‘Animal Companions’ has replaced the banished word, ‘pet’. What’s more, some people, in particular those who have found it possible - if not downright congenial, to work from home, could well be considering moving out of town altogether anyway and settling down in the country. Better for health, less pollution, less noise, less crime; the list goes on. However, animal companions are becoming very scarce. The Kennel Club has issued statistics showing enquiries are up 185% and that is just for dogs. Many other species apart from Cats and Dogs are also on the “Wanted” list and are being moved on to the rather long “Waiting” list. Having lived in Pembrokeshire for ten years some time ago I was able to observe (and envy) lots of relationships between people and animals which clearly benefitted both parties. Today, these relationships are even more desirable. There are many types of creatures, great and small, furry or feathered to choose from including horses, ponies, donkeys, llamas, Highland cattle, poultry, birds of prey, goats and sheep. Oh! And water buffalo (not suitable for keeping in the house though). Living in Manorbier enabled me to make friends with a large family of badgers who were living in a large habitation under part of the Pembrokeshire wall (man-made of large stones, soil and turf) bordering 34 CARDIFF TIMES
our fields. I was advised by a local lady that they had a sweet tooth, could smell sugary foods from a mile away, loved Custard Creams, preferred nutty brown bread for their sandwiches and relished bramble jelly jam (quite hard to find these days). “And don’t be stingy with the jam”, she added when advising me. By putting out a small buffet for them on their own plastic platter just before dusk, and moving it a few inches closer to the house each time, they were soon happily advancing towards the sitting room window every evening. Do not ask why, but it soon became clear that only ONE adult badger came each time. Each would eat very nicely finishing off with sliced apple to clean their teeth after all the sweet foods. I did not think I would have much joy persuading a badger with a toothache to squeeze into a cat basket and travel quietly on the back seat of my car to visit the vet. And possibly have dental treatment! How did we know that the different badgers only came one at a time each evening for their suppers? It was because they all had a slightly different pattern of white stripes on their heads from just above the eyes to the tops of their heads. I am afraid I never got round to making a rota myself to find out whether they always stuck to a strict list of whose turn was next. Although we recognised each badger, we never got round to naming them. That was then but back to the present. Apart from reading up on the needs of your chosen animal companions, getting them comfortable and settled and registered at a veterinarian practice, you will need to decide on and agree on an appropriate name.
