I was just reading Piglet's blog. It brought to mind all the pets and animals I have seen and cared for. Some, just thinking of them brought a smile and peace to me.

How have pets affected your life?

What have your pets taught you?

I've had cats in my home since 1996 (and earlier, when I lived with my family). The original three (two have died...) I called my "holy trinity." They were my reason for being during some very dark years.

My husband and I have three cats again...one elder and two kittens we adopted last fall. We are a full family again.

My heart just opens right up in their presence. When I find one of my cats in a room, I sweet-talk; we share gazes and slow blinks; I simply see their beauty and something softens in me. They are such comics; such hams...my husband and I sit on the couch like tennis fans and swing, nod, bob our heads while the kittens hurl themselves around boing boing boing!... and what a fine muse for meditation Roo becomes when she goes goofy and lax on catnip

Our newest purrball, Aja, met us through our vet, B. -- a one-in-a-billion combo of wit, intuition, clinical sageness, sheer know-how and heart. B knew that we wanted to adopt another kitten; three-month-old Vida was driving 11-year-old Roo, doyenne of the castle (and my Baby Sweet), to drink with her Tigger-like bouncing and pranks.

Enter Aja, at seven weeks of age: found smushed into a street curb by a kind soul -- a client of B's -- who took him right to B. He was gravely injured -- a gash in his throat -- starved, and infested with fleas and mites. B and her team worked their magic and little Aja is now our gorgeous tabby boy with a tail like a plume. He loves and he loves and he loves. He's forever trying to get Roo to sniff his bum --> we speculate that this is the feline way of saying Be my Mommy...?, while we're giggling ourselves senseless.

Ahh...cats. Music in motion. Sculptures when still. Impish enigmas. Languid warmth in the lap or atop the tummy when I recline upon the couch. That slow blink that flits a kiss my way. Cats are such flirts, such come-hither naughties. And when a cat chooses to love you...peace pads into the heart.

Cats purr. 'Nuff said. IMHO, the Egyptians were onto something in their worship of cats.

Cindy,
My dog teaches me uncondional love and loyalty. Without her, I would be more depressed and give up somewhat on the will to live. I had 2 guiena pigs and both died last year. They too gave me what my dog has. When, I would come in the room they would squeak like crazy and come to the front of their cage to be petted. Pets ask for very little to make them happy. This is a lesson for all, it doesn't take much to be nice to others and in return a good friend will give you uncondional love. However, this is so rare in this world nowadays.
sunnydaze

I have learned so much from my cherished pets. In the past two years I have lost two dear pets. The hardest loss was my chocolate lab who was my soul mate through thick and thin for most of my trauma digging. I went through three days and 2800$ when she was finally released from this world on the 22 of Dec. 2006.

I miss her the worst when I'm having my tough times. Recently, I feel her presence every day. I have no pets now, It's tough. But I work long hours and don't feel it's fair to have a dog. The cat I had died at 2 years old in December (not a good pet month for me).

I enjoy reading the benefits of our pets from people and can relate to the comfort they can give. Since I currently have no pets and plan to continue this way, starting this thread is one way I can continue to reflect on the benefits my pets have given me.

Casey (my dog) actually saved my life one night, the only reason I stuck around was no one would be there to feed her or let her out the next day. Go figure the rational thoughts when you are totally irrational. ? . Whatever,
I was there the next day for her.

What was one of the best lessons she taught me - enjoy the little things. My favorite example of this is when she would go out into fresh fallen snow and root around with her snout deep into the snow and come up and look at me with a snow shelf on top of her nose with a sparkle in her eye. She would shake herself nose - body - tail, you know the one - whole body end to end and then reach down and start eating the snow. To just enjoy the simple things and take the opportunities in front of us. Carpe Diem.

NO LOSS OF ANYTHING IS TOTAL IF WE HAVE OUR CHERISHED MEMORIES.