For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a pet. Usually a cat or dog and sometimes both. Nothing exotic or rodent-like though (insert shudder here). Our children grew up with pets as are our grandkids. We love our furry friends.
Pets teach us responsibility. They need daily care: food, water, exercise, toys (can they have too many?) and lots of love and affection. In return, they give us a warm little (or big) body to snuggle with, unconditional love, companionship, sloppy kisses, and a reason to go for a walk outside in any kind of weather.
They greet us at the door with exuberance and boundless affection whether we’ve been gone fifteen minutes or fifteen days. They’re quick to forgive, unfailingly loyal, and just want to be with their human. All. The. Time. Well, dogs do. Cats are a bit finicky and want us to remember that they're in charge. But if we remember that, we're good to go.
Pets provide comic relief. Watch a dog race around a beach or frolic wildly in the water, sometimes just for the fun of running in a circle. Note the sheer glee on his face as he digs a hole. Or fetches the ball or stick for the 72nd time in a row. Note a cat’s fixation on a toy mouse before it pounces, or the avid attention it gives a laser pointer zigzagging up a wall. Or how she bounces off the wall on the way up the cat gym.
Our son recently adopted a mama kitty who’d been
abandoned, with her kittens, behind a dumpster. The kittens were easy to place in new homes. The mama, not as simple. She’s still easily frightened and wary of the human who is providing her with a warm shelter, good food, and lots of affection. But I think she'll come around.
I often wonder in these situations: Who rescues whom? I think the power of owning a pet is huge. Studies show that pets help decrease stress, can improve heart health, and help children with emotional and social skills. Interaction with your pet can decrease cortisol and lower your blood pressure. Pets can reduce loneliness and boost your mood. So, if you are feeling blue, cuddle up to your best furry friend. Or go rescue one. You might be happily surprised that the animal you adopt is actually rescuing you.
Our little dachshund, Pickle, rescued us in 2018 after the loss of a previous dog. He was at least 10 years old, and spent the rest of his life rescuing us. He crossed the rainbow bridge in late September. We will likely need to be rescued again sometime in the next year. Funny how that works, huh? Our furry littles are such a wonderful example of love.