Our Remarkable Companions

In honour of the coldest, darkest time of year – and the promise of returning light & warmth – we invited you to recall some of the ways our companion animals bring light into our lives, from the simplest acts or habits that make us smile, to grand heroic deeds, and all points in-between.

Three prize winners were to be randomly chosen, and since only three people (!) submitted entries – in addition to our faithful webmaster, who excused herself from the drawing – all three entrants received a copy of Animal Talk: Remarkable Connections Between Animals and the People who Love Them, by NS author Joyce Grant-Smith.

The (Midwinter) Stories

1: LILA


One time we were walking in the park and observed a lady talking on her phone, after which she sat down on the bench and started to cry. My dog, generally somewhat reticent with strangers, walked right up and started giving her kisses (which seemed to cheer the lady up)!

2: MATILDA


I am a little female tabby with a big "M" on my head. Found in Burnside Industrial Park on Hallowe’en, I got my name: Matilda the Hallowe’en witch! I was very tiny and really cold, weighing about ³⁄₅ lb, and I had no teeth. I had to be hand fed with a tiny bottle and formula. My bottles were heated and so was my bed.

I have grown so much since that day – I must be getting close to two pounds by now. I love to run around the house and torment the other animals, and I love to snuggle and get lots of love from everyone.

Not only have I grown but I can also climb the Christmas tree. It's like a huge playground with lots of shiny toys and lights. But the toys are pretty much missing from the bottom of the tree now...

3: EDDY


My Eddy, what a gift he is to me. After a recent very long 19 months … I know I can always count on him to bring a smile to my face. His sweet little eyes and the way he just seems to know when to give that little nudge. He puts his paw on my hand as if to say “don't worry mom, everything will be ok.” He brings such joy to my life; my world is a better place with him in it. Never judging, always loving – he is my little man.

4: PERCY


Three years ago, someone brought a scared grey kitty into the clinic at Cobequid Animal Hospital (where I work), thinking that he had Feline Leukemia because he hadn’t come out from underneath her porch in three days.

We accepted him into the adoption program and ran the required tests. When I picked him up from the table, one of his legs dropped and he let out a scream! X-rays showed a fractured pelvis, and it was at that moment that I knew I wanted this handsome grey cat to be mine. He stayed at the clinic for several months for surgeries, recovery, and loving care.

Percy has a large personality and an attitude to match. I have never met another cat like him, and feel blessed every day, knowing that I helped him to heal and grow. It gives me such joy to see him running around my place – and realizing that if the kind person who brought him in hadn’t done so, I wouldn’t have him today.

5:

(no words needed for this one)