Pets

Pets, there are and have been lots over the years, Sue and G like having pets around, as such there are lots of pictures and stories to tell here. Skamp arrived in March 1988 and stayed with us for 16 great years until he passed away on Tuesday 6th April 2004, Skamp came into our lives when Sue rang G at work saying she had been offered a kitten, last of a litter, small little runt, which may get put down if the owners could not get a taker for him. G said no ... got home to find a Kitten in the kitchen, "just for tonight" said Sue.

Why did G say no ? well at the time the house was full of gerbils.... So first night, we both agreed the kitten IS NOT going to sleep in the bedroom, this lasted about 15 mins as Sue then explained the kitten had been nicknamed "cry baby" as it was a bit vocal. After 15 mins of howling we gave up and the kitten slept on our bed. Not being used to having company I don't think either of us slept that night. Well he stayed, got called Skamp as he was a little skamp and he ruled the house from that moment on.

As to the gerbils, well they didn't worry him as they were in glass fish tanks, and seemed to enjoy watching them when he got bored. Then the chipmunks arrived, again not really a problem as they were in a big cage, outside this time. It wasn't until Skamp was about 10 years later that he had to learn to cope wth rabbits.

We had wanted to get one or two kittens whilst Skamp was alive, as we wanted some of his great personality to rub off on them. In March 2004 we found two beautiful male Bengal kittens to join us. We named them Martouf and Khepra and had really been looking forward to introducing them to Skamp. Unfortunately Skamp passed away before they arrived. Having decided 3 was a good number, we elected to bring another Bengal Kitten into our lives, she is called Astarte, and is Khepras sister. Then to cap it all a photo on the breeders web page of a marbled bengal reminded us so much of Skamp that we made it four when we welcomed Omar into the pride. When Martouf died, as well as missing him lots, the house seemed empty so when we were offered Malika we jumped at the opportunity. Sadly we now have to report that Khepra too has died of a related illness that killed Martouf. To follow the Bengals stories please look at their section.

Rabbits. At first there was just one, Speckles a dwarf lop. She was very funny when she was little as she was just not sure what to so with her ears. Then Duster and Tipples arrived about a year or so later. Very sad to say that all the bunnies have now died.

	They seem to get on OK when they're out and about in the garden, but Skamp did always keep an eye on them when they were put together for the first time before they were allowed to run free.

Chipmunks. There have been a number of these over the years at one time we had 4 adults and 8 baby ones boy did that keep us occupied keeping track of them. As time went on, we lost chips due to old age and eventually where left with only one - little Chip. We did not expect him to survive long by himself as Chipmunks need company, however he proved us all wrong and him and Skamp stayed friends for another 8 years - that's long for a chipmunk, probably because he had a good house - a large aviary with tons of bits in. Can't seem to find a photo of it just at the moment but here's a few of the chap himself. Little Chip (April 1992- July 2000). Little Chip died of kidney failure on 6th July 2000. The photos remain - we miss him, as he was good fun to watch and his house was an excellent sun trap, which is why once it had been taken down it was replaced by a lovely swing seat, which became one of Skamps favourite places, he used to spend hours asleep in the sun in the seat, who could blame him ?