Pets are People, Too

Some of you will 'get' this and others it will lightly skip right over your heads. For those of you lucky enough to have had pets, this is for you.

Growing up, there was a plethora of constant companions in our home. We had bunnies - which the weasel or something got; baby chicks - which our cat got; tons of cats and kittens - which our giant Newfoundland sometimes got; and a forever flow of pooches. We were caretakers of wounded critters and pet-sitters for friends who went vacationing.

The dogs I remember were a German Shepherd, Newfoundland, Beagle-mix, and a St. Bernard. When we wanted to have a cat, a friend caught a wild cat and so began that journey. On various Thanksgivings, with all kinds of friends and family showing up, there was a 'dog on every tree'. It was really kind of neat. And every one of those pets was a blessing - each with his or her own story and history and memories.

When I met and moved in with my husband, he left me a message after work one day that there was a surprise in the apartment but I had to find it. After quite a while, actually, I found and fell in love with a tiny little Scottish Terrier, Floyd. Floyd helped my kids grow up. Floyd moved from an apartment and running around in Chastain Park, to our house in Marietta, to our homes in Florida. He was very adaptable and a fabulous pooch. In the end, he had had to have his ear quilted, an infected toe removed and finally a 106 degree fever forced us to put him down. It was terrible. A wonderful book of memories about Floyd gave us an outlet for our grieving and to forever enshrine him into our family memories.

Several months later, without that unconditional love awaiting us each day, we got Maximus - the runt of a thirteen puppy litter. If you know Max, he's not much of a runt any more - weighing in around 85 -90 pounds. He has aged with the children and now is prematurely grey, much like Vic and I. He is as much a member of our family as any of the four of us. He speaks, whines, cries, celebrates, and again, loves us without fail, reason, or condition. He is, in every sense, a Marinello.

My dear friend and neighbor, within a month's time witnessed his mother AND father both passing away and then but a few days later had to put his thirteen year old lab down. Mom and dad are one thing, but to top it off with your pooch is just an entirely different story. There is such a bond and a unity you create with your pets that folks without them just don't understand. There is nothing they wouldn't do for you and there is certainly nothing you wouldn't do for them. Pets are people too!

Today, if you are a pet person, squish your critter. Love them and give 'em a little extra attention. They deserve it. No matter how hectic your day may be, they are there - without exception, waiting to love you like they do EVERY day, no matter what. Reciprocate!