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Saturday, April 16, 2016

Friends of the Famous - N




In the Star Trek episode entitled Catspaw Leonard Nimoy (the iconic Mr. Spock) expertly handled a sleek black cat before it transformed into a beautiful woman.  The same practiced care was evident in The Enemy Within, though with a dog that was accidentally divided into both good and evil by the transporter. Nimoy came up with the famous “Vulcan Salute”, based on an actual gesture used in Jewish rituals and “Be well and prosper” are his own words, used during a speech he made to college graduates.  Due to the deep respect and affection Nimoy shared with the animals on the show and in general, it came as no surprise when Star Trek ended in 1969 that Nimoy became co-owner of a pet shop in the San Fernando Valley near his home.  Chipmunks, Monkeys, Crocodiles, Boa constrictors and a South American Otter were among the pets sold at the Pet Pad while Nimoy kept a cat, a dog, a hamster, two rabbits, a tank full of fish and a tortoise (for the kids) at home.


Widely known and often speculated is the story of the eccentric French poet Gerard de Nerval who had a pet lobster he walked on a blue silk ribbon each day along the Palais Royale in Paris. Of his unusual pet he wrote:
Why should a lobster be any more ridiculous than a dog ...or a cat, or a gazelle, or a lion, or any other animal that one chooses to take for a walk? I have a liking for lobsters. They are peaceful, serious creatures. They know the secrets of the sea, they don't bark, and they don't gnaw upon one's monadic privacy like dogs do. And Goethe had an aversion to dogs, and he wasn't mad.


It’s all cats and dogs for steamy songwriter/contralto singer Stevie Nicks who at last check, owned a Chinese Crested Yorkshire Terrier.  Like most designer purebreds, these little dogs require specific grooming care and a bit of patience while in training but they are good with children and make wonderful pets for busy rock stars who don’t want dog hair on furniture and upholstery.








Were you a fan of Mr. Spock? Do you believe the story of the lobster on a leash? Do you have a designer pet?



17 comments:

  1. Hi, dear Diedre!

    As much as I love horror, sci-fi and fantasy, I am quite possibly the only human on earth who is not a fan of Star Trek... or Star Wars, for that matter. Any lover of animals is AOK in my book, and I admire Leonard Nimoy for that reason. I had to laugh when I read about the eccentric French poet who walked a pet lobster around Paris on the end of a silk ribbon leash. I laughed again when I read his quote and wondered why he didn't think it would be just as ridiculous to walk a gazelle or a lion on the city streets. As I told you before, I once owned a Yorkie. Did you see Stevie Nicks' guest appearances in season 3 of American Horror Story (Coven)?

    Thank you, dear friend Diedre!

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    1. Hi Shady!

      I didn't even watch either Star Trek or Star Wars until long after reruns were being played;-) They just didn't appeal, I guess. But Mr. Spock was strange enough to be interesting and that Jar-jar character reminded me of someone I once knew -ha!

      I suppose its a blessing that folks like the French Poet don't realize they're not quite right, nothing can be done anyway. The guy ended up hanging himself (with his hat on) from a bridge on the 'dark side' of town.

      I remember and enjoyed the story of Toto, your Yorkie:-)

      I did not see Stevie's guest appearance but wish I had - she's one of my favorite artists!

      Thanks so much for coming by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!

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    2. Toto was the Cocker Spaniel that Mrs. Shady #2 and I owned. Thomas' English Muffin was the Yorkie that Mrs. Shady #1 and I owned. :)

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    3. Oh, that's right! How could I forget Thomas' English Muffin;-)

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  2. It's interesting to know what kind of pets these famous people had. And I had no idea Nimoy was a co-owner of a pet shop. How cool!

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    1. Hi Chrys!

      I thought so too. Somehow Nimoy's affection for animals make me think he would have been more approachable than I'd realized.

      I hope you're enjoying your break - thanks for coming by!

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  3. Hmmm...a lobster on a leash. I had a friend who lived in an apartment complex and said one of her neighbors walked her cat on a leash every day!

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    1. Hi Stephanie!

      Crazy, huh?

      I've seen it done but still find the concept of a cat on a leash incredible:-)

      Good to see you!

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  4. I wonder if the French poet actively avoided restaurants where they served lobster, since he viewed lobsters as friends and not food.

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    1. Ha! Good point, Cynthia:-) I bet he did.
      I hope you're enjoying a wonderful weekend:-)

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  5. Thank you, Sneha!

    Glad you stopped by;-)

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  6. That's cool about Nimoy owning a pet store. As for the pet lobster. I think I want a pet lobster.

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    1. Hi there, Jeffrey!
      Ha! If you get a pet lobster I want a picture. Folks will be diving off the sidewalk, I'm afraid;-)

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  7. Cool pet trivia about Leonard Nimoy. I think it's funny that guy took a lobster for a walk, but he had a good point about pets.
    Mary at Play off the Page

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    1. Hi Mary!
      In his own way, I guess he did justify it;-)
      Thanks for stopping in!

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  8. I didn't know Leonard Nimoy owned a pet shop. Very cool! A pet lobster seems a bit eccentric, but yes, at least he doesn't bark. ☺ That's the first I've heard of a Chinese Crested Yorkie. Cute, but these designer toy breeds usually have health issues.

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    1. Hi there, Debbie!
      I was surprised to learn that about Nimoy too. Way cool!
      I have those same concerns about designer dogs. But then I always heard that if you dyed your hair it would all fall out;-) Guess you just never know. Some of our greatest mutts have had health issues, though not many.
      Glad you came by!

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