Our beloved pets are very sensitive to our physical and emotional wellbeing. Think about how your dogs react to you. For example, my rat terriers can read me like a book. Rocco really does not like when my partner and I raise our voice in "discussion" lol or argue, or even if one of us is simply "venting" to the other. He physically trembles. He knows things are not sunny in OZ. If I'm upset about something, or feeling a little blue, he sticks his nose in my face and gives me kisses, usually with his tongue in my mouth - no matter how hard I try to prevent it, he finds the exact split second of opportunity. Ugh! But he makes me smile. He lowers my blood pressure. He enables me to take a step back and reevaluate the situation. Oliver, on the other hand, is not so intuitive. He is more of the "I'm so cute you just have to drop everything, forget all your problems, and love me". Ollie just wants to soak up the love, and rightly so. He is a puppy mill rescue, and deserves every drop of love and attention he demands. They are different as night and day, but they both love unconditionally, and fill my days with joy.
My cats calm me on a different level. They are just there, being their wonderful selves. They greet me every time I walk in the room, offering up chatter and demanding attention, in a way only a cat can. I MUST drop everything and tend to them. Its in their contract. Some people are dog people, some are cat people. I am definitely both. But cats are kind of a higher being in the animal world. They rule the roost in my house (all my pets do, but the cats KNOW they do!). I must put aside my "stuff" and focus on them when they are present. If I come in from a long crazy day, they don't run to me like the dogs do - Grace doesn't jump from her perch in the window, and Telly won't budge from his pillow on the table. Instead, they simply turn their heads in my direction, and offer a distinct "meow". That is my direct order to drop everything, and come give them prompt attention and scratches. And I do. And I love it.
I have a horse as well. He has been in my life for almost 12 years. Its a huge commitment, and a huge expense, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Besides the joy of losing myself in feeling his strength and graceful movement when I ride, and the exhilaration of seeing him fly down the road in front of me when I hitch him to my carriage, I cherish the simple act of putting my arms around his strong soft neck and burying my face in his long mane. He knows when that's what I need. He responds by lowering his head, and being still until my stress and worry slips away. Sometimes that is all I want to do, and its all I need. It calms me. It lowers my blood pressure measurably in an instant. Then I give him a carrot and a kiss on the velvety nose.
If I didn't have animals, I honestly think I would be in the looney bin. (Or in jail for murder!) This is how important my fur babies are to me, and what they give me. I have been blessed with some amazing pets over the years. Each has enriched my life immeasurably, in ways nothing else can offer. Each has blessed me with cherished memories and unending love. Yes, there is also heartache in being owned by our pets. They cannot be with us forever. But that is the price of love. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in this life.
This holiday season, take a step back and really see your pets for what they are, and for what they bring to your life. Take advantage of the love they give, and the quiet serenity you can get when you let all else go, and just be in the moment with them, in whatever way that may be. Its a gift you can give yourself that will change your life.
Hi Mel, You've always been able to express yourself so well hon. I think "The Gift Of Animals" should be expanded into book form (and copywritten). You've been a lover of animals since you were a tiny tot and enjoyed the company of Snowbell, Cinnamon, Boots, Fluffy, Colinka, Ember's Blue Cinnamon(Mac),Joe Cocker(Tyler). There were a couple of rabbits in there too. I remember one day you were about 7 or 8 sitting on the front steps crying your heart out over the plight of dolphins. I know your animals are so tuned in to you. Many times either Shadow and/or Rory would be asleep in our living room when you were out on an errand or something - they would suddenly awaken and go stand at the bow window with tails wagging and sure enough a few minutes later your car would come around the corner and up the driveway! They instinctively knew when you were coming back to them. I think Rory was the reincarnation of Shadow and both were wonderful loving pets. So what I'm saying is - you certainly have a tremendous amount of pet material in your memory to write a book. Love Mom
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