If you've ever loved a pet, you'll understand why I am including my two beasts in this series on love. When thinking about people, things or experiences that I love or have loved, I have to include them.
I adopted both three months apart from a shelter I volunteered at from time to time when I was in college. It took some time to become comfortable with one another and I even went through a phase of adoptive remorse, but over the past few years they have become my two favorite things about coming home.
When I adopted Sadie, she had been at the shelter for a year and was slated for transfer to another shelter, which implied potential euthanasia.
QB was brought into the shelter by a woman who took him from some kids who had soaked him in lighter fluid. Before she could rinse him off he escaped, still soaked and very flammable. Three days later he showed up on her doorstep with what seemed to be neurological damage from the chemicals. I volunteered to foster him and confirmed adoption two weeks later.
Laugh if you must, say I have too much time on my hands or that they're why I'm single, etc. I can't help laughing at myself daily when I realize that there are more than a few stereotypes of cat ownership that I can admit to, especially how they have evolved from being pets to figurative children.
Simply, I love them and, in their own way, I believe they love me. If nothing else, we cohabit well.
Whatever species of animal piques your fancy or pulls at your heartstrings, I'd advise against letting them consume your life, but make sure they know you love them.
They'll be grateful for you and you'll be grateful for them.
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