For the love of pets

A couple of days ago, I was visiting a friend, who has a yellow lab. Ms. Yellow Lab likes to give me hugs and kisses while climbing into my lap. She got a little bit of mud on my shirt. When I got home, my husband looked at me and shook his head. He said, "I'll never understand why people want animals."

Yeah, it's a major difference between the hubby and I. I'm a pets person. He is decidedly not.

At the time, I know I looked stunned at him and couldn't say anything. To me, it's a nobrainer. Why do I love having animals in my life? Because the returns are so much greater than the costs.



My critters ask pretty darn little of me. They like to be fed. They like attention. But they don't demand much. No fancy electronic gadgets. No "the cats got more than I did, and it's not fair!" No, you have to spend time with me because you haven't in the past couple of days. What do they want? A scratching post. A milk ring from a jug of milk. Two meals a day. A clean litter box. An occasional walk. A toss of a ball to fetch. A bone. They don't ask for much and never ask for anything fancy.

They demand little but they give much. They accept me for who I am. There's never any indication from them that I'm not good enough with critters. They don't mind the house a little messy. Or that I never got around to doing a chore. Or I forgot the treats from the store or that I bought the wrong thing. No matter what I do, I don't disappoint them. They love me for me. I think that's one of the best things about having pets. There is complete and utter acceptance of you by the pet. They don't care what you have or haven't done. They just adore you for who you are, flaws and all.


They give me constant love. Affection. Whenever I want it. There's no I'm too busy or I'm doing something else right now. When I offer to scratch a head, they give me affection back with licks or head butting.

Love and affection without wanting anything in return? That's a pet quality.

There's never any backbiting or meanspiritedness from a pet. They don't gossip about you. Say one thing to you and something different to another person. Pets aren't malicious. They don't try and hurt you. They never will announce to the world that they hate you.

When I look down into my dog's eyes, I see a faith in me that makes me stronger.
When I hold a cat on my lap, I hear a purr that relaxes me like nothing ever has before. I see in my pets a reflection of me that I like and try and live up to. And it's not something I fail at because they love me the way that I am.

I should have asked my husband, "How can you live without animals?" I know some people aren't pets people so I wouldn't ask that of anyone.

But for me, I know my life is much more complete with the critters I have in my life. I jokingly complain about them at times. They don't know the meaning of sleeping in on the weekends and they sometimes want to get up early. But I honestly wouldn't wouldn't have my life any other way.

Mechele Armstrong aka Lany of Melany Logen
http://www.mechelearmstrong.com/
http://www.melanylogen.com/

PS Support your local humane society and animal shelter. They do so much!