Childhood Pets

My sister, Cordelia, came across these photos, of Penny, a beagle mix, and Puff, a long-haired tabby cat.

We adopted Puff–after much begging to our mother–from a family friend when we were in junior high school.

These are the only photos left in the family album of the two. In the first photo, Penny's drinking water from our family swimming pool.

Penny was the best dog, adopted from the San Diego county shelter, with my Dad, when she was an older puppy. I named her Penny because she was the color of a penny. She smiled, lifting her lips, on cue–literally–and was smart as a whip. I took her to obedience school to learn how to walk on a leash and sit and stay. The trainer wanted me to buy a choker collar for her, but even then, I knew somehow that wasn't right, so I didn't do it.

I took her to the beach, when dogs could still go there, and on outings. She loved to ride in the car.

Puff was a cool cat, back when people let them outside, when it was safer. She'd sit in our driveway, waiting for us. She'd sometimes sleep on our beds at night. She was just around. She and our first dog, Nosy, agreed to disagree and ignored each other. And Penny ignored Puff too.

Thought I'd share the only photos we have.