Lucy

One of the most beloved First Ladies in the White House was the vibrant and wonderful woman named Lucy Hayes.  The wife of President Rutherford B. Hayes she was loved by her community, her church, the troops under her husband’s command in the Civil War (they called her mother Hayes and she nursed the sick and wounded soldiers during the war staying in the camp and getting her hands bloody and helping even with the most gruesome wounds!) and by her country when she was the First Lady.

Lucy Hayes and Rutherford came to the White with the resolve of setting a moral and life example for the nation and they not only banned alcohol from the White House, but had nightly sing alongs, hosted some of the most beautiful and fun parties even without John Barleycorn being present.  They also brought with them lots of animals…. Mrs. Hayes and Rutherford loved animals and Lucy (who instituted the Easter Egg Hunt at the White House for she loved children also) spent her life caring for all kinds of animals throughout their lives.

-Painting of Lucy Hayes nursing a wounded soldier.  She knew personally about wounded soldiers since Rutherford B. Hayes was a General and the perfect gentleman became a animal on the battlefield with no fear. He was wounded four times and Lucy went to his side each time. One wound almost cost him his arm.

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-Her is a picture after their years in the White House with Lucy Hayes and one of their dogs, Spot. Rutherford is standing next to her.  Hayes was not only a General, but a Lawyer, Governor of Ohio for three terms, A congressman, President and then a founder of Ohio State University and a leading prison reformer.

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-One of the Hayes children with a dog named Old Major.  Look at that face.. is he a collie?

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-Here is Lucy with her Pigeons who lived in a specially built steps at their beautiful home Spiegel Grove.  Lucy Hayes loved all animals, but especially birds. By the way, she also loved cats and the first Siamese Cat in the USA was a gift to her from the Consul in Siam.

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-This is the picture of Lucy alive. Shortly after this she suffered a stroke and died at the age of 58 in 1889 in their home.

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-Lucy Hayes was a Methodist who was very active in the Temperance movement and many charities.  She loved all humanity, especially children and she worked hard in their behalf.  She was the first First Lady to have a college Degree and she was very loved by her country. When she died the flag was ordered lowered half mast for a week to honor her….  It is said no one ever had a bad word to say about her and I have never found anything negative about her.  A loving woman with a big heart she loved everyone and especially animals, in a age when animals weren’t treated all that well.  So, we honor Lucy Hayes a woman who was also a wonderful lover of animals.

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-One of our favorite family trips is to their home in Fremont, Ohio.  You can see Rutherford’s war horse graves and todays wildlife abounds in this beautiful place…….

 

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More About Those At Sunnybank

There were many other animals at Sunnybank and they were called “The
Little People” a name given to them by Terhune’s daughter.

Lets start with the horses. In his Omnibus Terhune talks about the
horses, especially Fritz and Belle. Fritz used to follow Terhune
around Sunnybank, even trying to enter the house! Fritz was known for
darting at passing women and men taking their hats as he went by!
There was also The Don, Terhune’s saddle horse.

Then there was Jack the Frog. He lived in the Goldfish pond for
twenty years. They knew him by a scar over his eye. Mrs Terhune used
to scratch his back and feed him flies. In his twentieth year the
Terhunes went on vacation and came back to find his car flattened
body on the road. Terhune figured since the frog never left the pool
some visitors to the kennels took him out and dropped him off
deciding they didn’t want him anymore and he was run over.

They also had three peacocks. Simon Peter Rhadames died after only a
year. So, they brought in Caruso and Melba. They would follow the
Terhunes around the yard. Melba had five chicks. One day Caruso came
up to Mrs. Terhune and fell down dead shot by a neighbor kid. Melba
mourned for him and died ten days later, followed by the chicks one
by one. They had cows one who they loved died from eating a nail,
the other hit by lightning went crazy with anger.

At Sunnybank there were 70 pigeons, all snow-white except one. He used to feed the
squirrels and many of them became like pets coming to him when called. I read that he

captured them in New England.

They had many cats in the barn, but several cats became house cats
and close friends. Eyolf, who was a barn cat used to join Terhune
and the collies in their daily romps in the snow and ice. Juliet who
would swim into the lake hunting trout and would bring Terhune gifts
of dead chipmunks. Peter Grimm who slept on Terhune’s bed and used
to join Terhune and the collies in their romps and was run over by a
car going to one of these walks. Tippy, Mrs. Terhune’s persian lived
to be more than 15.

Terhune writes about the birds they fed, made friends with and
enjoyed. If you get a chance, read The Terhune Omnibus to learn more
about Sunnybank’s Little People.

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George Was His Name

The smaller cat is Tigger and the cat in front, no your eyes do not deceive you he was actually 3 times her size, was George.  As you can see by his face he was happy at the moment.. LOL… yeah George had an attitude and size to back it up. Grumpy cat had nothing on him.  But, let me tell you the story about George….

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It was a cold winter night with temperatures heading to 10 below zero Fahrenheit and my wife came home with a box full of hay and inside was a cat who was nothing but skin and bones…… I mean this cat was so skinny that you could see the heartbeat in his neck….  we didnt know if he was sick or just starving so we put him in an isolated spot with a hot water bottle and more hay and fed him which he gulped down as I held his head up for he was so weak he couldn’t hold his head up.

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George  went to the vets the next day and upon examination it was found he had no front claws, his soles were worn through and the vet told us if we hadnt taken him in that night he would be dead by now.  He also speculated someone dropped George off  for no cat would starve itself close to home.

So, when I came home that day from work I put him on our bed and we fed him and several times I had to lift his head up out of his food bowl for he was so weak he couldn’t hold his head up.  For a month George laid on our bed getting better and stronger.  During that time he fell in love with me… and he would snuggle up to me at night purring loudly.  Niamh didnt like this but a truce was somehow arranged and they co-existed.  But, the other cats didn’t like George at first and one named Bridget used to pick on him endlessly.   Especially while he was still weak.

But, George who weighed around 6 or 7 pounds when we found him flowered back out to 30 pounds and became strong again.  He was a Tom and he had attitude and was strong.  My daughters would play with him and he would get rough enough to let them know he was going to win no matter what they did.  Once they pulled his tail and he turned around and slapped them both and then screamed at the top of his lungs so hard his neck stretched out and he shook.  LOL.. it was deafening…. how can a cat scream like that.

George had no fear and would walk between all the collies and if they looked at him too hard he would give them the evil eye and they would leave him alone.  He loved me and even with that he would grab my hand when hungry and squeeze his huge teeth into my hand letting me know it was food time. LOL

Meanwhile for months Bridget kept picking on him trying to keep him intimidated.. but he was all Tom and I would come home and his nose would be all scratched up and he would show it off to me proudly like he was saying “I got in a fight.. look… got the scars to prove it!”  One day he ended the war with Bridget for I saw him strolling along the edge of the kitchen table obviously stalking someone.  Then I saw Bridget and then George jumped!  Right on top of her and since he had no claws he had to fight in another way. He just laid on her holding her down and then smacked her on top of her head which would bounce off the floor to only be slapped back down again and again like a machine gun.  It was over before I could react and Bridget never picked on him again.

Was George done? Oh no… he strutted nastily into the room another cat Simba lived in. Now Simba didnt like anyone and she loved slashing everyone…. and George had a few scars to show from her. Well, I watched him go into the room and heard her his, I winced for I knew hew was getting a clawful lwhen I heard her scream and it sounded like someone was being used as a punching bag and I ran to stop it.  As I got to the door Simba came out running and hissing and there was George standing there…. new scars and looking proud as can be as he laid down and took a bath on her bed.   It was at that point George went wherever he wanted and no one stood in his way.

The years passed and we sort of grew a bit apart.. he still loved me but he was busy being a Tom… terrorizing anything he could.  Once and only once did I give him catnip. Turns out George was a mean drunk too.  He looked at me all stoned on the nip and everyone cringed for he looked like he was gonna kill me on the spot.  I just said cheers buddy and he then passed out! LOL…..

George used to like to lay next to me on the stereo as I worked on the computer.  The years passed and he began to sleep in a bit more isolated areas and he eventually fell sick and passed away.  I felt sad for losing old George for he loved me… the only human he ever showed affection too. Everyone else was a punching bag. Yet, we somehow werent  as close as we had been.  I miss the old cat… and I loved him. He was one heck of a cat and I liked how tough he was and his bad attitude.  I miss him,,, but does it sound bad that I can truthfully say I dont miss him like I do my collies?  I wasnt crushed by his death although I held him for a long time saying goodbye.  I think it is because I am not much of a cat person, but more than that I dont think George wanted anyone to be that close to him… after all he was a cat… a tough old Tom who loved only one person, yet as time moved along still loved me but distanced himself from me.  I think he would rather I remember him with a smile as he pounded Bridget or showed off his battle scars proudly…. softness and lovey dovey just wasnt his style….. so, if George is in Heaven I hope God unleashes him on a demon once in a while just to satisfy his mean streak…. and if I make it to heaven I can’t wait to see the battle scars he has from living there… for I know he would love a heavenly fight and some scars to show off….. perhaps he may even smile….. perhaps…. naw… it would never happen! 🙂  RIP you old tomcat.. I loved ya and still do…

So, that was George…. one of the more unique characters to live here at the Meadow.  He wasnt cute and cuddly, he wasnt gentle and loving… he was all tough guy and he never let anyone forget it. 30 pounds of hellfire fury when mad.. which was much of the time… he got along well with the collies and loved me.  I loved him, but it was sort of a friendship love…. he wasnt just the type who wanted family love…. just one friend who loved him for what he was and who let him be who he was….  RIP old George… I miss you but I smile as I remember you…

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George and I got along.. he never wanted my ball and that was fine with me….

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The Little Ones At Sunnybank

There were many other animals at Sunnybank and they were called “The
Little People” a name given to them by Terhune’s daughter.

Lets start with the horses. In his Omnibus Terhune talks about the
horses, especially Fritz and Belle. Fritz used to follow Terhune
around Sunnybank, even trying to enter the house! Fritz was known for
darting at passing women and men taking their hats as he went by!
There was also The Don, Terhune’s saddle horse.

Then there was Jack the Frog. He lived in the Goldfish pond for
twenty years. They knew him by a scar over his eye. Mrs Terhune used
to scratch his back and feed him flies. In his twentieth year the
Terhunes went on vacation and came back to find his car flattened
body on the road. Terhune figured since the frog never left the pool
some visitors to the kennels took him out and dropped him off
deciding they didn’t want him anymore and he was run over.

They also had three peacocks. Simon Peter Rhadames died after only a
year. So, they brought in Caruso and Melba. They would follow the
Terhunes around the yard. Melba had five chicks. One day Caruso came
up to Mrs. Terhune and fell down dead shot by a neighbor kid. Melba
mourned for him and died ten days later, followed by the chicks one
by one. They had cows one who they loved died from eating a nail,
the other hit by lightning went crazy with anger.

At Sunnybank there were 70 pigeons, all snow-white except one. He used to feed the
squirrels and many of them became like pets coming to him when called. I read that he

captured them in New England.

They had many cats in the barn, but several cats became house cats
and close friends. Eyolf, who was a barn cat used to join Terhune
and the collies in their daily romps in the snow and ice. Juliet who
would swim into the lake hunting trout and would bring Terhune gifts
of dead chipmunks. Peter Grimm who slept on Terhune’s bed and used
to join Terhune and the collies in their romps and was run over by a
car going to one of these walks. Tippy, Mrs. Terhune’s persian lived
to be more than 15.

Terhune writes about the birds they fed, made friends with and
enjoyed. If you get a chance, read The Terhune Omnibus to learn more
about Sunnybank’s Little People.

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I am Tigger, hear me roar!!!!

Ugh, the life of a cat with all these inferior beings around us is hard.  First, the collies and I get in argument over who is to eat first… collies or the cat! We saw this argument on Bongodogblog (go to http://bongodogblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/25/wait-for-dinner/)  and I took the position the cat should eat first and often for we order humans around to do it so it must  be so!  They disagreed and when the argument became too much for their limited dog intelligence they just took my food and ate it, laughing as they did so!  It is okay though as Dad made sure I got more and the bowl is in a place where the collies cannot get to it. So, I ate slowly and purred loudly as the collies watched!  That will teach them.

Then, the collies saw another post on Bongosblog (Go to;http://bongodogblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/devils-kitchen/) where he walks in a very cool place!  Dad explained to them that it was too far to go and those pinheads (ever see a collie head? reminds me of a pin!) start scheming. Next thing I know I am out front in a cage with a sign…. cat for sale, goes to highest bidder.  Ginger is running the auction, but luckily Dad came to the rescue!  Rotten Collies!!!  That nasty old Ginger is going to get it.  The worst is that grin on her pinhead face….  I will get her.

Next thing I know I am looking at Bassasblog ( go to; http://bassasblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/i-navigate-by-gas/)  and she is showing the natural gas lines above the ground there.  Ah… gas lines… we have them here coming into the house.  Perfect… unhook the gas and then go outside and let them collies get their just desserts.  But, with all these collies here the next thing I know they see me and bark like crazy and Dad catches me and now I am in timeout!  Oooooh… those rotten collies… always stopping my plans for world domination and extermination of all non-cat beings!

Of course, time out is not so bad for I get to sleep, rest, be alone, be away from the collies and to plot more ways to exterminate these pinheads!  One of these days…. one of these days……  There is that darn Ginger grinning at me again….. ROAR!!!!!!!!  ROAR!!!!!!!!   ROAR!!!!  sigh…. she just laughed.. need to work on my roar…..

Here I am with the only human I like!  Yes, the collies were playing dress up with me again…. hisssssssssss…….

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Ginger… grinning at me again…..

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