The Pets We Love

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

It is often said that having a pet is the best therapy. They are devoted, offer undying and unrequited love, protective, loyal and trusting. They offer healing being able to tell if you are under the weather, and offer companionship and loyalty in times of emotional need.

Dogs for instance say so much without speaking, they can express their devotion with expression and dedication to your needs and are the best of company. Pets are a proven method as part of self-growth.

PETS – PART OF THE FAMILY

Where did the term “Pet” come from. According to thefreedictionary the term originated in Ireland. “[Scottish Gaelic peata, tame animal, pet, from Old Irish.]”.

And the definition offered for the word “pet” is:

“pet ¹ (pt) n.

1. An animal kept for amusement or companionship.

2. An object of the affections.

3. A person especially loved or indulged; a favorite: the teacher's pet.

adj.

1. Kept as a pet: a pet cat.

2.a. Particularly cherished or indulged: a pet grandchild.

b. Expressing or showing affection: a pet name.

3. Being a favorite: a pet topic.

However, we are only talking about our beloved and faithful animals. Those who have ever owned a dog will know, they will love you no matter what. Their love is unconditional and without ultimatums. And don’t you just know it, they become as your children, no longer a ‘pet’ but a member of the household.

NO PETS ALLOWED

Just a short lifetime ago, no one that had a pet could rent accommodation anywhere. NO PETS ALLOWED seemed to be the last word on those apartment ads, and pet owners were delegated to the lower lifestyle of ghetto type accommodation rather than give up their beloved pet. Unless that is, you wanted to pay an enormous pet deposit for potential damages caused by your “pet”.

Things have changed. It seems whenever you turn around everyone close-by has a pet, rental unit or not. During those days of No Pets Allowed, the truth would emerge with the fire department when called to the complex for some unknown reason, all tenants had to evacuate, and this NO PETS ALLOWED building would eminently give birth to several cats and small dogs. Nothing subtle about it, no one was going to leave their beloved pet – no pets allowed or not.

NEVER EVER AGAIN

Just how many times in your life of pets have you said that. “Once Bitzy is gone, no more we aren’t getting any more, it hurts too much when they die.” Yes it does. It is devastating when no one shows up for dinner at the allotted time, and the space on the bed is cold. You reach out your hand to give a protective pat but there is nothing there and there is no barking and kafuffle when someone comes to the door. Life is miserable. But still you mutter “Never ever again.” But how else will you fill that empty hole in your heart reserved for your ‘pet’.

So, off to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals you go, or these days you can just go online and find your pet at that local association and then call the association to go and see it. Then you bring home yet another addition to the family hoping to give it a better life than it might have had before your rescue mission.

It is heartbreaking to lose something that becomes so closely attached that it follows you around as though stuck to your leg with Velcro. When they are gone, the Velcro remains but unattached.

The super positive thing about this situation is the fact that you can save another, you will bring home an unwanted by someone else and very soon the Velcro becomes once again attached. Though it takes time, as we all know, for memories of the predecessor to change from sad to happy memories, the sadness fades in time and our life becomes embroiled with the new member of the family that you said you were never going to get!

HAPPY EVER AFTER

Once established it seems a lifetime ago that this now happy animal is living a full and happy life, because you said “never ever again”, knowing when you voiced this, that statement was not true, though it could have been at the time.

Your need to fill that empty void in your heart and your home will be replenished because for the love of a pet, you will once again place your heart at the disposal of another chosen member of your family.

All the while, there is opportunity to make an animal’s life better; most of us would take it. Most are compassionate but there are those that don’t deserve the love and loyalty of any animal. That is another discussion.

© Copyright Writing Right ACLaker 2011