Pets of the Library

With International Cat and Dog Day coming up this month, we decided to celebrate all the pets of the Library. Inclusivity for pets, too, we say! So it is my genuine honour to introduce you to just a wee scattering of the lovely animals we share our lives with.

Smokey

“He is a very good boy.” Jane Haigh

First up is Smokey the Syrian hamster. He is nearly 2 years old and the pet of Jane, our Learning and Research Services Manager. Smokey is in tune with his health and well-being, so his favourite snack is broccoli. Take note, kids, healthy eating is for all species. He also loves cuddles, which we all know releases endorphins. I think I may have found my next wellness influencer in Smokey.

Luffy and Maggie

Gina is excited to introduce her fluffy babies, Luffy and Maggie. Their hobbies include balcony time and getting treats from the neighbours. It’s good to be sociable. Both kitties are 2 years old. Luffy is a stubborn but loveable little brute who loves to torment their owners by knocking over the water fountain. Water for all, says Luffy! Maggie, on the other hand, is a little Romanian princess who loves a nap in the sun. A lady knows what she likes. She is also in the running for the highest-pitched meow in a teeny kitty. New Olympics category, anyone?

Georgie and Ed

Next up are Kieran’s companions, Georgie (the Collie dog) and Ed (the cat). Ed has been with Kieran for just over 8 years now, and Georgie coming up to 2 years. Like any siblings, they have good days and bad days with each other. Ed is a bit of an older sister and gets sick of Georgie’s excitement at times. Ed is a cool cat and likes the chill, whereas Georgie, being a collie, is desperate to be best friends.  It’s tough having different personalities in a family, but they love each other nonetheless. A shout-out to all the siblings out there who get this!

Kieran put it best, saying:

“Both are amazing animals, but with very different temperaments. He’s very excitable, she isn’t. He’s young, she’s old. He loves his toys, but she prefers boxes. He will eat anything (we have to be careful where we leave our snacks), but she’s incredibly fussy. She puts him in his place – fair enough, she’s a lot smaller than he is, and he is pretty irrepresible at times…But more to the point, they have enriched our lives in so many ways. We’re lucky to have them in our lives and, despite the stresses (looking at you in particular, Georgie!), we love them both deeply.”

Well, I have all the feels <3

Luna

Luna is the family dog of Vivienne. She is a rescue Jack Russell/chihuahua cross. She is a shy girl around strangers but adores being with her family. Luna likes eating, sleeping in the sunshine, chasing squirrels and barking. Get those pesky squirrels, Luna, get ’em! Sounds like a lovely life. Luna is one of the few puppies out there who isn’t into walkies and sniffing other dogs. She’s a homegirl, and darn right, it’s the best place to be. All the scratchies for our girl Luna.

Shout out to all the lovely folks out there re-homing pets. Why not support our very own Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home if you can?

Brindle and Zap

Now to my lovely girls. Brindle and Zap the Super Cat (full name), comic book pending.

Zap is our newest family member, and she is the light of our universe. She’s 2 years old and still everyone’s baby kitty yumyum face. Yes, that’s what we call her, no, I am not ashamed. She is a sleek black kitty cat who likes to hide under blankets and scare the life out of you when you try to go to bed. We call her the Ninja, and as a Halloween kitty, that works well with her vibe. She also enjoys attending most online meetings and standing on the keyboard at inconvenient moments.

To quote Zap, “lCUHSDUJDKFHWO3I092QWpa08923740&*£$^%$” I’m sure you can all agree with that statement. We’ve all been in those meetings…

Brindle is both my fluffy fuzzy baby AND an Elder Queen of Cats at the ripe old age of 17 this year. She is a regal Siberian from the frozen tundra who likes to be left the hell alone by everyone but me. Something I am eternally proud of and am considering putting on my CV. She will not eat any food that she senses may have hidden plans to help her; she knows the vet is out to get her and will not take her medicine. She has zero time for Zap and will regularly bop her on the head if Zap is foolish enough to be walking past. Maybe that’s why Zap has developed such good Ninja skills? Her main hobby is sleeping and looking at me with annoyance if I try to leave a room, as I cannot be left unattended. Trust issues, no doubt stemming from all the medicine I keep trying to hide in her food.

Cooper

Our last lovely chap is Cooper. Maya’s family dog. Cooper is a Vizsla with Rizz.

Cooper puts us all to shame with his recent sportsdogmanship, winning the top Dog category in a 6-mile fun run…go Cooper! Admittedly, he was the only dog competing, but a win is a win, Coop!

Cooper’s hobbies include chasing stuff, most any stuff, including bubbles, despite the dangers of landing in burns (that’s a Scottish term for a small stream to you non-Scots folk, don’t worry).

Cooper is very Loud and unaware that he is very loud. Something I can empathise with. He also loves cuddles despite being a big boy and has acquired the nickname Velcro Vizsla from his loved ones.  Lovely to meet you, Cooper!

That’s the first installment of pets of the library. Hopefully, we will be able to let you meet some more lovely animals in the future.

Read more about past pets of the Library in our articles on Cats and Dogs in the Library

Also, check our LibrarySearch.napier.ac.uk for resources we have available on animals.

By Juliet Kinsey

All pet photos copyright of their owners