Living with Animals

For me having a pet is a joy. I have a 1 ½ year old female German Shepard named Samantha. Prior to that there was Val,  she was with us for 16 years until a brain tumor was found and she had to be put to rest.

The problem I have is that I tend to spoil them rotten, everyone make comments that my dogs are fat (I just tell them that my dogs are big boned) and in the end they are worse than having kids.

You hate to go anywhere because you feel guilty for leaving them home or in our case with our local boarding shelter that spoils her even worse. I find the whole time I’m gone I think of how she is doing and what she ups is too.

But you know what Rose… I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. They bring joy when you’re not doing so well…pets do pick-up when their owners aren’t at their best. An example of this and it’s kind of funny in a way (my wife doesn’t think so) is that both of my Shepard’s tend to become the pack leader when I’m running low.

They become very protective and stay close and won’t allow anyone close to me. My wife can’t even give me a hug without a low growl being heard. She feels that Samantha treats her more like a play mate than an owner, but even I see when my wife is running low that she tends to stick to her like glue and becomes protective.

Having a pet requires a lot of time and effort on your part. It’s something you can’t take lightly when thinking of getting one. The best thing you can give your pet is love and attention; they want that more than food the majority of the time. Our pets are part of the family.

Another positive point with pets is that most will sit there and listen to you complain for hours on end as long as you pet them. Samantha now just lays there with her paws over her eyes or runs and hides behind the couch to escape.

If you are able to own a pet where you live and have the time needed to devote to them, I would encourage getting one. They do provide a relaxing state that comes over us. They will also be that friend that never gives up on you and can be told anything without fear of it being repeated, sometimes cheaper than a therapist.

We had a Siberian Husky named Trixie for 10 years.  Unfortunately she got out one day and never came back.  Huskies are known for running away.  Usually they come back though. 

When one of my kids was hurt or upset she would sit by them and never move.  When she had puppies, she treated my kids like one of her puppies.  My mom reached down to give my son a pat on the bottom and Miss Trixie gave her a little warning snip.  She never hurt anyone but was quite protective of her family.

When my son was little he would pull her tail,  she gently wrapped her mouth around his hand and moved it.  Such a good little mother.  I miss her.  We have two other dogs now and they are sweet and I love them dearly but I miss "my dog" who was truly a member of our family.

I am a cat person primarily.  I've had dogs that I dearly loved but when one particular one died - well he was the last.

I currently have a gray tabby named "Miss Emily" and my daughter has 3 solid black ones (they live outside) named "Sami, Tiny, and Scoot Jr.".  We love our cats and the cats love us in the only way they can - they trust we won't hurt or kill them.

Miss Emily is happy to see me when I come home at the end of the day, she sleeps on my injured foot (above the cover) to keep it warm (she knows oddly), she meows for me in the morning when I sit up, and she gives me cat kisses.  My daughter's cats wait for her at the bus stop and sit with her until she gets on the bus.  They come when she calls and they are happy to see her also.

You see, animals give what humans can't - unconditional and unadulterated love.  As long as you feed and water them, love and care for them, they don't care what a horrendous person you think you are - whether you overspent your budget - whether you are sitting there begging to be relieved of the pain of depression - they want and love you anyway.