bronxbt, this tale is for you primarily. I hope the rest of you enjoy it too.
Hazel has been with us for since she was a kitten. Consequently, we have many stories in which she is the star. As some of you may know I have a real estate license. Now you may think this is a strange way to begin a story about Hazel, and you are correct. Stay with me because it will be come clear before long.A few years ago we were back in Pennsylvania preparing to bring Maryann's mother to come back to Kansas to live with us. We did have one minor problem. Her home would be vacant, and she would not be returning to it. We had not decided to sell it yet. So the next obvious course of action was to rent it.
A builder friend was building a home for a family and they needed a place to rent before the house was completed. It had something to do with living in the school district. Their children, a boy and a girl, were 10 and 8 respectively.
One of the most important things a landlord can do when renting is to do a thorough background check. With the help of a local real estate agent we were able to get the financial information we needed to help us make our decision. Here is where Hazel comes into the picture. This was one of the few times we took Hazel with us.
When Maryann's niece's two boys are around, Hazel generally heads for the nearest bed to hide. Typical behaviors for most animals who don't like the noise and ruckus of active children.
The only thing remaining between us and the approval of the family was their visit to see the house. When they came over the children were quiet, polite and very courteous. No loud noises or ruckus. Hazel came out and wanted to get to know the children. Hazel even jumped up on the lap of their daughter. Hazel allowed the girl to brush her. Brushing is a pastime that Hazel enjoys very much. Hazel remained in the room the entire time the family was there.
We realized at that time, this family passed the Hazel test. What better recommendation can you get than the OK from Hazel. Based on that final test, we rented the house to this family and we did not regret it.
How is that for a pet story -b?
4 comments:
jack, ya big softie.
hazel reminds me a lot of our oldest kitten (they're always kittens) cleo... a sweet, demure applefaced siamese who's actually the devil! Really! Few people know this! (http://cardboardpeople.blogspot.com/2006/02/this-just-in.html)
Cleo, until early last year, HAD hearing. Now she's deaf as a brick and has turned sweet, caring and quite snoogleable. she's also the best judge of people we've ever known. My coworker, the 'lil gelfing who I've spoken about at times, came over for the 1st time about 4 months back... within SECONDS cleo had landed on the couch next to her, sniffed her hand, and visably went "..meh!" with a shirk of her shoulders and backed that booty up into the back of the couch right next to her...
this is NOT CLEO BEHAVIOUR!
the lil' gelfling, wifee, D&L and I have all become good friends since cleo approved her.
totally cool. and a good thing, 'cuz cleo can lay the whoop considering she's an 18 year old 7lb badass.
;)
How sweet is that? You just gotta love 'em.
I love Cleo too.
Hazel is about 15. The story of how she came to be with us is a topic for a future posting. Hint: she once belonged to our eldest daughter.
Gooday Jack thanks for the visit. My cats are a very good master and mistress.
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