COVER N. 689 - GERMANY

Postmark: Haustiere Berlin Erstausgabe 10117 08.01.2026

Posted on the 8th January;  Received on the 19th February 2026

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Pets. One of those subjects that I look upon with mixed feelings. I do like animals a lot and I can understand all the positive things that may arise from the relation between people and animals, but do we ensure that most pets live a dignified life? Should we keep birds in cages? Fishes in aquariums akin to water bottles? Dogs in tiny city apartments? etc, etc....

and then there's the ever-growing tendency to humanise animals.... No, a dog or a cat is not a human, so  there is no point in taking it to the hairdresser or to "embellish" them with  false fingernails, no matter how colourful and shiny they might be....

I love animals. That is why I never wanted to have a pet, when finally I could make this decision on my own. I find it strange to say MY dog, or MY cat or MY turtle. at least MINE, roam free wherever they are.

Danke sehr Peter, for another nice FDC to add to the collection.

The Agapornis genus, a type of parrot from continental Africa, comprises nine species which exhibit quite colourful plumage what has attracted the attention of humans who have long kept them in captivity as pets. Also known as love birds (their scientific name derives from the ancient Greek and means just that: Agape - Love + ornis - bird) they mate for life, this characteristic having been at the root of their designation by Prideaux John Selby who first described the species in 1836.

On 08JAN2026, Deutsch Post issued the 0,95€ stamp on the cover, illustrated with a photograph of an Agaporis and the legend “Haustiere” (Pets).

The stamp is obliterated with a First Day Postmark issued at Berlin.

Postage is completed with three stamps from the world of letters series:

0,05€ - Letters as Lotus Flower - issued on 02DEC2021 

0,10 € - Message in a bottle - issued on 02NOV2022

0.15 € - Letters Peacock - issued on 10AUG2024