Villanueva Family's Pets by Mia Lowry

When we were living in Yuma we had the normal pets other families have, but we also had our fair share of....

Chickens and I remember we once had a rooster. We had to put him in a box every night and cover it with a blanket. We would put this box into the shed. This was done to avoid him crowing before the break of day and the neighbors reporting us.

Dogs and Cats, of course.

We once had a turkey named Vanilla. I can't remember how long we had her or was it a him, not sure. It wasn't for very long because that creature was mean. We gave her away to the Stella Lowends (sp?) family who owned a farm. I remember hearing how this bird would fly and land on people's backs to peak at their heads. I think they eventually ate her/him.

Abel brought home a bat one day and put it in some huge barrel we had in the back yard. How he caught it and carried it home is a mystery to me. I hope he will comment below and tell his version of the tale. All I remember was Mom finding out and it was quickly removed from the premises.

We had rabbits. I think they were mostly Tonie's pets. She loved them so much. I remember how we each had one (the girls) then they started dying off. The last one got really sick and it's head was bent in such an awkward manner. It's eye was on the floor because of it and it got this film over it. It was really gross and sad. Dad said we had to put this poor creature out of it's misery. So, him, Ish and I can't remember who else went out to kill it. We followed, but Steve or was it Rodrigo...not sure, had us girls face the Gibbs' backyard and hid us behind the lime tree while they did her in. I turned to see what they were doing because the poor little rabbit was screaming and saw what they were doing to it. Dad was holding it and Ish, I think or maybe Ish was holding it and Dad was using the shovel. I can't really remember all I remember was this creature screaming the most horrible sound I ever heard as the shovel was beating it to death. I turned to see my sisters and we were all crying. I got scolded for turning to see, but I could not help it. Human nature or curiosity...maybe...all I know is this memory was seared into my mind forever.

Fishes...we had tons of them. The ones I recall the most were the ones we killed in the most unusual way. This is a lesson in lack of communication or how important it is for parent's to create a chore chart and have the children stick to it. From what I can guess (well, at least these fish were like this) Goldfish do not know when to stop eating. Mom fed them and most of the kids fed them on the same day. No one told anyone else they fed the fish and the pitiful fish just kept on eating. Well, I guess it was too much for them because their stomach's exploded. I would not believe it had I not seen it with my own eyes. There they were belly up with open bellies.

Birds...loud, noisy, messy creatures who like to bite children. Very cute to look at and at times when they sang it was nice. We once had a pigeon named Lenard. He was an injured bird brought home for mending. He was so tame after being with us, but Dad made us let him go. He would come back everyday to visit and eat. Sometimes you could get him to eat out of the palm of your hand.

I think that pretty much sums it up. I hope if I missed any someone will fill in the blanks for me.