Pets Aren’t Perfect but They are Pure Love

When I decided to get my dog, it was my second golden retriever.

I found Bailey online and brought my grandson with me to get him and hold him while I drove. Bailey was only 2 months old at the time. The first few weeks were challenging, but now he is eight and my best friend. He tells me when it is lunchtime and when we need to go for a walk. I try to keep his ears cleaned out and feed him every day.

The best part of having a pet is the silent company they keep. They depend on us and at this later stage of life, with kids grown and family out of the house, a pet is a great companion. My friend had a kitty, Gracie who sat on her lap every night.  My friend had the kitty for many years, after the death of her husband. The trips to the vet, finding the right food for her pets stomach problems, all those activities were in service of prolonging Gracie’s life, and my friend was glad to do it.

Another friend had a dog after his wife died and he looked at his dog as a link to memories he had with her.

One friend, a single guy now since the death of his wife, walks his dog by the beach near his home every day. No matter what, that dog doesn’t complain at all when the leash goes on and the door opens to go outside.

Walking the dog has given me exercise every day and a new way to connect with neighbors. We have dog conversations, and smile at each other over various dog stories. If you don’t have a pet, think about it, give yourself hundreds of excuses to not get a dog, but in the end you will be so glad you made the decision to adopt a pet, cat or dog, bird or turtle, it doesn’t matter. Just so you have a little creature to take care of, talk to, give attention to, and show love to.

I had so many kids growing up, we never kept a dog, but when I see my kids’ families and the attention, care, and  love they give their dogs and cats, I am glad they have that experience in their lives and the lives of my grandkids.