It was in the early sixties that the sounds of the Beatles began a sign of the new era in entertainment
It was in the early sixties that the sounds of the Beatles began a sign of the new era in entertainment, it was also the period of expansion to further television programmes and what’s more a wider opportunity to be introduced to a wealth of new and interesting articles on animals. Already we had been introduced to the wonder of animals by the films of the great Walt Disney and the production of the ‘Lassie’ films became a firm favourite with young and old. Soon we were to be introduced to the wonder of that magnificent series ‘All creatures Great and Small’, taken from the highly successful publications of James Herriot. We then had the light hearted and amusing ‘Beethoven’ series and an explosion of magnificent programmes by David Attenborough with his ‘Life on Earth ‘with the result that we now had a far greater knowledge and opportunity to accept a wider variety of interesting pets to our household.
Dogs and cats, canaries and parrots, had been with us for centuries, but it was mainly the dog that became mans favourite not only as a working dog but as a faithful companion and protector of the household. Cats had always been one of our favourite home animals mainly due to their independence and their sheer beauty and extraordinary abilities, they had no need for walkies, and the provision of a simple cat flap would be sufficient passport to the locality. There were of course smaller pets like the simple gold fish kept in a bowl on the sideboard, who would live quite contentedly for years with just a pinch or two of feed. The garden tortoise was extremely popular, now sadly becoming extinct; all could be purchased for just a few pennies, some even being given away for prizes. This explosion of interest opened up a new era for the veterinary services who had previously specialised in either domestic or farm animals but now many are highly skilled in their work with unusual but interesting pets, which can now be classed the norm.
At one time a visit to the vet would result in sharing a waiting room with the odd cat or dog and maybe the occasional bird in a cage, on the other hand it could be in the bitter cold of a winter morn helping a cow to calf or a horse to be treated for an injured foot. The modern veterinary clinic of today is far more superior in its treatment, not only in its modern highly expensive diagnostic equipment but its transportation to attend to sick animals that are unable to attend. Veterinary surgeons of today are light years of yesterday in their specialist training, they rank closely beside their counterparts in general medicine and surgery, but they have that extraordinary perception of diagnosis to treat and care for a patient who cannot speak. Today can be a wonder of surprises when at one time the humble rabbit was accepted as a wild animal, other more interesting pets find themselves suddenly in need of the vet, these range from exotic chameleons, snakes, lizards, monkeys, ferrets even badgers, foxes and the odd tarantula, all patients in need.
Over the years I have been fortunate to have owned many interesting pets and all have given me the greatest of pleasure, I recall two interesting rarities that were highly amusing, that was until the great storm of 1987 when their aviaries were destroyed by a felled oak. One was Kevin, the Kestrel, who would come at my call and gently take the meal from my hand. He would sit on the edge of the back door with impunity. One day he had an infection of the eye, so it meant a visit to the vet. I was astounded at the skill of his treatment and he was soon back on his perch. I also had a pet Myhna bird, ‘George’, who could mimic absolutely anything perfectly. Quite often I went to answer the telephone but found it was George. Snag was George was so clever he soon picked up those little snippets or comments that were expressed by others. It was when the vicar called for his monthly visit that George blotted his copybook when greeting him with a choice expletive, taught to him by the dustman, basically meaning ‘Go away!’
Thankfully, whether it is fish, fowl, or exotic pet, they are all welcome by the dedicated vets of today.
J Henry Foster
© J Henry Foster
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