Things I Learned From My Pets

Growing up My parents didn't allow us to have pets. It's not as if my dad dislikes animals, he likes watching the wildlife when he's outdoors, and looking at the animals at the zoo, but when it comes to petting or having any interaction with a domestic animal, he just doesn't care for it. As for my mom, well she's a clean fanatic. She absolutely cannot stand messes, so much so that she declared chemical warfare on dirt. As we pet owners know pets shed, throw up, sometimes leave puddles, and make various other messes in our homes, so it would be a fact that if there were any sort of pet in our home when I was growing up, my mom would be cleaning all day, 24 hours a day.



At ten years old I realized that it was a moot point asking for a pet, so I vowed to myself that when I was on my own I would have at least one pet, and that is a promise that I did keep. I am a cat lover, don't get me wrong, I love dogs too they are wonderful animals, but cats are more independent and a little easier to care for. Plus with the unusual hours that I sometimes work, I don't have to worry about having to hurry home to let a doggie out to do its business, it wouldn't be fair to the animal. So 24 years ago I went to the shelter and adopted my first cat Hadji, and six months later I adopted another cat - Aurora - from the veterinarian I was using at the time. Each cat had been six weeks old at the time of their adoption. About a year later I took in Caitlyn, who was six years old, from a lady who couldn't keep her any longer. Sadly her husband didn't like Caitlyn, and told his wife it was him or the cat. Then a year after that while I was at the Veterinarian's office I adopted my 4th cat, who I named Bailey. He was a cat with an attitude !! So for several years I lived with 4 cats, and enjoyed every minute of it.



Hadji always had health problems, and the last six months of his life he was in the veterinarian office at least twice a month for something or another. I couldn't let him suffer any longer, so I decided to do the humane thing and put him to rest. He had given me 9 good years and I am grateful for each one of them. Caitlyn soon followed. She was 12 years old and expired from old age. So Aurora and Baily were my only two cats for the next several years.



At ten years old, Baily's health started failing, so 9 years ago I again found myself in the position of doing the most humane thing for my pet and had to put him to rest so he wouldn't have to suffer any longer. That left just me and Aurora who was 17 years old at the time. Three months later I again, made the trip to the shelter and adopted another cat, who I named Houligan, so Aurora would have company. Houligan was 1.5 years old at the time and Aurora tolerated Houligan and his antics, she was up in age, and she could be somewhat cranky at times. Aurora was with me for another seven years, then two years ago she finally expired at the ripe old age of 22, and yes you did read that right, she was 22 years old, which is exceptional for a cat. She as very healthy.
Being a social cat, Houligan hated being alone, so I made the trip to the shelter and adopted a 7 month old kitty named Roo. He's currently 2.5 and let me tell you, Houligan and Roo get along like a house on fire !!!

So after having so many pets over the years, who I am grateful and appreciative of, I learned many valuable lessons, and I would like to share some of them with you:

1. Everyone needs love and attention.
Like people, if you treat your pets gently, respectfully and with love, they will do the same thing in return.

2. Everyone needs structure and rules.
Parents teach their children rules on how to behave, and we do the same thing with our pets, they also need to be shown what is allowed and not allowed in our homes. Child rearing and Pet rearing are very similar.

3. Be Playful
Pets need to have fun as much as humans do, though human toys and pet toys do vary, just include some sort of fun in your daily life, it makes you feel good.

4. Be adventurous and inquisitive.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

5. Don't be shy about asking for attention
Just don't forget to return the attention, it's good for the soul.

6. Get plenty of rest.
If you haven't noticed, cats do take lots of naps. It restores the energy they expended during the day.

7. Everyone dies.
Sadly we all have to leave for the afterlife. Sometimes it's hard to let go, but appreciate every minute we have with each other. Everyone and Every Pet is special.