Somehow, Whazoo, you make what is impossibly, incredibly interesting and beautiful county even more interesting and beautiful. It's a gift that you have and a gift that you give, which I receive gratefully.
I add to the condolences for you losses, it's an all too familiar pain. This I have found to be true- animals have a way of finding people. Over the years, we've had some remarkable animals come into our lives through circumstances of chance, rather than us going out and looking to find a "pet". Not that all animals that are welcomed into a home aren't special, but some of them choose us, or the universe allows them to come to us.
Thank you sincerely for sharing.
