| Anna was born in Santa Clara,
California in 1969. As a young child, she was always given
the opportunity to bond with rescued animals and family
pets. Over the years she has had many pets and has learned
their behaviors and grown to understand their needs.
Growing up Anna had turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs,
cats, dogs, fish, wild ducks, and even a rooster named
Jed. Jed the rooster came to live with her when she
learned her grandfather wanted to have him for dinner!
Anna’s mother loved to bring home animals that
needed care like the two mallard ducklings she rose
in the bathtub and later set free at Vasona Park, in
Los Gatos. Anna’s dog Ben was an emaciated Australian
Sheppard they freed from a truck bumper while on summer
vacation. Anna also has fond memories grandparents’
home where she was able to feed chickens, geese, and
go into a hen house to gather eggs.
Kurt was born in Castro Valley, California in 1963.
He was a 4 year member of the Palomares 4H Club of Castro
Valley and showed New Zealand Red Rabbits, California
Whites, and Dutch Chocolates at the Pleasanton Fair,
in Santa Rosa, and showed as far away as Salinas.
Growing up Kurt had dogs, cats, hamsters, a chicken,
and a guinea pig. Kurt recalls his favorite pet was
a cat named Caesar who followed him wherever he would
go. They had a special and beneficial relationship for
many years and as a result they formed a human-animal
bond that Kurt appreciates even today. Kurt artificially
incubated Samantha the chicken’s egg by turning
her for 21 days. Kurt raised Samantha then had a local
farmer adopt her. She later lay eggs of her own that
the farmer brought to Kurt. He has kept her empty shells
for many years in a little blue box.
Kurt and Anna where married in 2001. While camping,
kayaking, fishing, or just beach combing for the day
are perhaps their favorite activities; they also enjoy
vacationing at the beach or in the woods. In 2002 they
adopted a feral kitty and have been blessed with a Blazers
Maine Coon Cat named JJ. Although JJ is very shy around
others at first; he is a big lover with Kurt and Anna.
He is their bosom companion following them around the
house, curling up with them for naps, and helping them
whenever computer work is needed. The three of them
are accompanied by a bullfrog simply named Frog who
lives in their patio water garden.
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