Man's Best Friend

Alfred A. Montapart once said, ~Animals are reliable; many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful, and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.~ Let me ask you this question to those who have pets, do you consider him/her/them a part of your family? Granted, I know it's a truly ridiculous question to ask knowing full well the absolute bond shared with an animal you've grown to not only care about, but love as well. For it's a type of caring love in which one can't help but become sentimental to the point where tears are shed? Why? It's due to the strong, emotional attachment towards the lovable creature who essentially has become an important family member in your own eyes, which many pet owners would most definitely agree with.

Without a doubt, the connection between pets and their owner is deeply rooted in companionship, friendship, affection, caring, gratefulness, respect, admiration, and not to mention love. You see, depending on how long the pet-owner relationship has lasted there is certainly an unspoken bond that oftentimes can't be explained, especially to those who don't know the experience of having a sidekick of the animal variety. I wholeheartedly believe along with the pet owning community when I say you'll never know what it's like to look into the eyes of not just unwavering loyalty, but of pure innocence whereby it puts a smile on your lips and heart. Thinking about it further, the loyalty and innocence expressed from their eyes can unfortunately be lost by the owners who promised to always protect them.

As I mentioned previously, the loyalty and innocence expressed from their eyes can unfortunately be lost by the owners who promised to protect them. True, it's hard to imagine the all out cruelty inflicted on a creature who has done nothing wrong except love you unconditionally. Sadly, it's a sad state of affairs when you read/listen/watch stories on tv concerning animal cruelty by individuals who seemingly have no heart whatsoever to where it simply breaks your own heart just thinking about it. Hey, I challenge you to think about or look your own pet(s) in the eyes and answer the following question to yourself: Do I have the capacity to inflict harm against my friend/family member whereby the promises made are broken? Let me tell you something, if the question brings tears to your eyes then you know you're a human being and not a heartless monster.

For the question can be asked to all pet owners out there, have you ever wondered or possibly even imagined what it's like from your pet's point of view. Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine indeed the life of a pet through their own eyes, such as a cat or dog because we're so wrapped up in our own busy lives to even think about it. Yet, a dog happily awaits with fervent joy in order to greet you with their tail wagging, lick your face with kisses, and anticipates being scratched behind the ears as he/she sees his/her owner stepping through the front door. Of course, they don't do it because they have to; instead they want to as they exude similar human characteristics as we do. In other words, it's in their nature to be happy, sad, to miss, love, care, comfort, and protect the ones they love.

In retrospect, life is considerably more enjoyable when you have the company of a pet by your side. A pet who has a unique personality all their own and it shines forth so much so he/she will make you laugh to no end. On the other hand, they will unintentionally cause sadness as they either pass away or have to be put down leaving you to endure the immense impact of what is considered to be in your mind a tragic loss, which may have been recent for some of you. In any case, love knows no bounds when it comes to the animals you think of as your own children because they're that special to you. In the end, whether the pet you have is a cat, dog, hamster, birds, snake, horse, pig or whatever the case may be you know them by just three simple words...man's best friend.