Hello, my name is Martha and I have a love-hate relationship with my pets. I pray the Serenity Prayer daily to help me in this relationship. Sometimes, in irrational moments, I even ask myself, "Are these pets worth what they cost in time and money?" I hate those questions that make me be honest with myself. That's why I don't ask that question very often. I know the answer, but then I have to go on a philosophical binge to negate the answer.
There are three pets in my household, none of which I chose to have in a direct kind of way. The senior member is Hector Hootie, a cat of unknown pedigree but very similar to a Maine Coon cat. Don't laugh at his name - I didn't name him! I have no idea where the name "Hector" came from, but I do know that "Hootie" was from the rock group, Hootie and the Blowfish. Hector came by way of daughter #1. She just had to have a cat, so when a friend heard that she wanted one, he said, "I know where some kittens are!" So, there scampering around and in an abandoned car were kittens of different colors. Hector was the only kitten that allowed itself to be captured and it was his lucky day. Fast forward about six months and daughter #1 decided to move out into her own apartment. Yep, no kitties allowed. AND I never received cat support payments!
Pet 2 is Daisy the cat. Believe it or not, daughter #1 decided several years later that it was time for a kitten again. This time daughter #1 moved back home and brought Daisy. Somehow, Daisy was designated as an irritating kitty and banished to the dark reaches of the basement, outside of daughter's basement apartment. Eventually, feeling sorry for the lonely kitty, Daisy was invited into the main house. It was her lucky day. And no cat support payments for her either.
Pet #3 showed up at the back door of my mother's house on the day of my mother's death. I had just arrived back there from the hospital. The cute dog was being chased by other dogs. Of course I didn't want to be an accessory to murder, so I let the dog in the house. She never left, except to travel to my house. I named her Tuggles in honor of my mother, Tuggle being my maiden name.
Pets are expensive. Pets are time consuming. Pets are messy. Pets are annoying. I think about these characteristics as I pay the groomer, clean up a hair ball that's been thrown up on my oriental rug, brush white cat hair off my black slacks, pick up dog poop (again - on my oriental rug), clean out the litter box and sweep up litter, and try to soak up dog pee (sometimes on my oriental rug). Then there are the times I let the dog out the back door and she disappears and I'm in pajamas chasing her down in the neighborhood. OR Hector decides to sneak out as the dog is being let out at bedtime and I can't go to sleep until all my "children" are accounted for, so I'm out in the dark chanting, "Here kitty kitty! Come on Hector!" It's even worse when it's cold or raining. These are the times that I ask myself why I put up with this stuff.
My wise, philosophical self comes to the fore then to answer my question. Pets teach us so many lessons. Okay, they are expensive lessons. They are dependent on our compassion and care. Pets love us unconditionally. Even though Daisy was very upset that I tried to put her in a carrier to transport her to the groomer, she forgave me quickly and was on my bed nudging me with her head to indicate her desire to be petted in exchange for licking my hand. Since Daisy wouldn't co-operate, Hector was her substitute with the groomer and the experience was no less traumatic for him. But upon return, there he was, laying on my desk just to be close to me. No matter how much I have fussed at Tuggles for an "accident" she still follows me to the bedroom to sleep on the floor next to the bed. Pets are entertaining. Recently I was startled to hear an unfamiliar ringing sound. I determined what it was not - telephone, cell phone, or alarm. I had to laugh when I discovered where the sound originated. The second time I got up to investigate, Hector was sitting near a toddler activity table, looking innocent. That curious cat had been pushing one of the buttons on the toy! I laugh at Tuggles pretending to be a herding breed of dog and try to corral one of the cats. I have days when the only laughs I get are because of the pets. So, I conclude pets contribute to good mental health (when they aren't driving you crazy).
Yes, the love-hate relationship remains. But, I can't imagine my house pet-free either. Maybe I should hang a copy of the Serenity Prayer above the litter box.
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