Everything

What is good about having a pet?

My cats have saved my sanity if not my life. It’s that simple. When I felt that I had nothing to live for, I had them. I took them in, I committed myself to them, and that commitment and the love I felt for them kept me alive.

So one good thing they bring is having a responsibility that you love, it gives you a focus.

Not human

Animals do not live to our social rules. No pet does. So when you take them in you need to know that your sofa is the best scratching post ever! Your dogs claws can take chunks out of the car. If they’re sick they’re sick. They won’t head for the sink. Leave them too long and they won’t head for the bathroom.

They’re not being naughty or selfish in any way, they have no concept of possessions.

The next plus point

As long as you can respect that pets are not humans, love them as they are, and would sell your house if their lives could be saved, you’ve just learned unconditional love.

There is no greater blessing because that will strengthen your ability to accept humans as human too.

The best medicine

The third really big thing is the laughter. They are so funny. They’re way more intelligent than us too. They find ways to give us clear messages, read us like a book, know when we need cuddles or to be met with a wagging body when we’ve had a hard day at work, a visit to the in-laws, skirmish with the teenagers.

There are so many different kinds of pets, and if you can love an animal they will add another dimension to being alive. They’re not our servants they’re our saviours, teachers, and the world’s truest blessing. A child raised with animals will understand taking care of others.

You can love anything

My husband used to be terrified of snakes. We went to a fair in a park one day and two guys were there demonstrating snake care. He decided he was going to get over his fear. Two hours later…

I go to find him, he’s in between the two owners, middle of the snake across his shoulders, teaching the audience that they’re nothing to be afraid of and she’s beautiful. Apparently she was about to go back into her refrigerated van for a rest and some quiet.

Any pet you can love is always going to be one of the most worthwhile things you can ever do. As long as you can remember that they’re living beings with feelings that are as important to them as yours are to you.

That they’re not born to cope with cars and other human inspired dangers, and it’s up to you to keep them as safe as you can. At the end of their lives they are going to need you and you must be prepared to be there. 24/7.

I’ll leave you with the advice I was given when I first considered having cats.

They’re a responsibility and you’re taking them on, they’re not asking to live with you. At the end it’s very hard, but you will smile everyday in between. I will add that they will always be amongst your very best memories, and once you’ve got used to missing a huge part of you, you will smile every single day when you think of them, which you will every single day.

With current gratitude to Amie, Hito, Nero and Marcus.

In memory of:

Marby and Geris

Daisy and Bruno

Elly and Jo-Jo

Cloppy and Charlie

As well as Bunty, Chum, Brett, Bobby, Max, Peter the tortoise, Peter and Paul the Guinea Pigs, Whitey the budgerigar. Loved you all.

Without you I don’t dare to think. With you – just wow!

Deb xx