The Forever Love of a Pet for National Pet Week and National Pet Month
Regardless of whether it’s National Pet Week, or National Pet Month, the love and commitment to a pet is for a lifetime.
As a pet mom over the years to a variety of lovable creatures – cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, and frogs to be more precise – I can tell you firsthand the joy pets bring to our lives. With this being National Pet Week and National Pet Month, I hope the message is spread to a wider audience so that adoptable pets in need find good, safe, and loving homes.
The list of what a pet can bring to your life is far too long (and deeply personal to each individual) but here are some of my favorite reasons in relation to my current feline gang of seven:
1. After a long and stressful day, there’s nothing better than relaxing on the couch, surrounded by my loving gang. From Kizmet using my head as a pillow to rest on, to Zee making biscuits on my belly, I love knowing they care about me so much that they want to hang out with me.
Every night Kizmet rests his head against mine when I’m relaxing on the couch.
2. They keep me younger looking – it’s a proven fact cats can reduce stress… if you reduce stress, you reduce wrinkles!
3. They provide me with unlimited entertainment – from watching them play and chase either around to seeing them roll on the floor to expose their fluffy bellies, they just make me smile.
I never tire of watching the cats play with one another. This is Kizmet and Jazmine sharing a silly moment.
4. They make me a more emphatic and compassionate person – we are the only voice they have to be heard and I try my best each and every day to spread awareness on important issues such as spay/neuter, responsible TNR and more.
5. They have taught me to live more in the moment and to appreciate the little things in life.
One of the most compelling lessons I have learned from my cats is to slow down and appreciate the every day of life like they do. This is Kizmet, Jazmine, Mia, and Zoey watching bird TV.
6. They give my life purpose and reason – there have been many a dark moment in my life where I’ve questioned the point of it all. Then I look at their precious little faces and I know they rely on me. They’ve also gotten me out of those dark times and they continually light up each and every day I’m blessed to share with them.
7. They keep me company when I’m typing into the wee hours on my computer.
8. If I’m feeling down, they sense it – just by being around them, they make me feel better.
Sometimes when I’m not feeling great I like to snuggle under the covers in the guest room while I do some computer work. I’ve always got several cats with me to help me feel better.
9. They don’t care if you wear sweat pants all day, or if you’ve showered, or even if you’ve brushed your teeth yet. As long as you provide them with love, food, water, clean litter, and a safe and comfortable home – all is good in their world.
10. You can carry a conversation with them without judgment. Sure, they might respond to every statement you make with “meow meow” which translates to “feed me,” but that’s okay.
I think I’m sharing a profound conversation with Peanut, but chances are good she’s just telling me to be quiet and feed her…
What are some of the special things your cat does that you love?
These are all wonderful reasons that cats enrich our lives. And we absolutely love that photo of the kitties all crowded by the bird TV. Best seat in the house!
My babies have taught me what real love looks like in spite of the role models I had growing up. They’ve made me a better person, better friend, and a better pet parent. They love me no matter what. They need me, and that keeps me going in my dark moments. <3 Your babies are lucky to have you, Deb.
I love watching my cats play with each other and then lay down and have a grooming session. The love they have for each other is so beautiful! And as a pet parent, it makes me proud.
Happy National Pet Week!!
Cody does a few things that I love, one is border line love/hate but the first I love.
If I fall asleep on the couch, Cody ALWAYS will put his paw in my hand and “hold hands”
At dinner, unfortunately I started a bad habit, I gave Cody some chicken and now…EVERY NIGHT he sits ON the table NEXT TO ME (no, he isn’t allowed on the table but taking him off doesn’t help)..he will sit so close that it is crazy. I tried building a “Cody barrier” on the table next to me, to no avail. While I don’t like him on the table, he is my dinner date EVERY night and I just find it to be somewhat hilarious and endearing.
Aww! I love this comment Caren! Dan has done the same thing to Jazmine. Because he totally spoiled her on one or two occasions, he can no longer eat chicken without her glued to the side of his face! She’s just so dang adorable…looking at him with eyes that could melt ice, patting his cheeks with her fluffy paws!
Great post. Kitties are the best, they improve our lives in so many ways.
Loves of love here
wooof,
Lily & Edward
I especially love Reason #6. No one has NOT had bad days and questioned the meaning of it all; but when you have someone in your care who loves you loyally and unconditionally, you have the most important reason in the world to “keep on keeping on” ! and to know that, no matter what, life is worth living and even enjoying.
Awesome post today Deb…and photos as well, great capture of Jazmine’s tail
“in action” by the way !! ♥♥♥
Yep, the mom says us cats are the best medicine ever!
Wonderful post ! We can answer : all the reasons above ! Claire always feels good with us, and she could watch us playing, or simply living, for hours. She always talks to us, and we often answer, or chirp : at this point she’s totally melting ! Purrs