Note: This blog originally published in February 2011. 

I grew up wanting a dog and begging for one every birthday, Christmas and any day I felt I could possibly win my mom over.

We dog-sat, loved my aunt’s dog as our own, and even had rabbits, but we never had a dog. I still don’t have a dog. However, I now have not one, but two cats.

As I said, I had rabbits growing up. I’m not sure how my mom went from not allowing us to get a dog to getting two rabbits. It’s not your typical family pet in the suburbs. They did teach us responsibilities; as well as some procrastination. They presented an opportunity to connect with an animal rather than a human.

There are differences in the connections one makes with another human being and an animal. Animals give unconditional love. They provide a sense of companionship and are still loyal to their owners, no matter how mad you get at them for getting into the chicken you left out on the counter to thaw.

Fur-kids & their unconditional love

While I may have plans to have children in the future, others may not. For some, pets are an individual’s sole companion – their fur-kids. Kids that offer no lip, laundry and require no college tuition. Rather, these fur-kids offer unconditional love and support throughout their faces, actions or simply their presence alone.

Owning an animal provides a sense of comfort, security and a feeling of being needed. I can sit on the couch at night with the television on and watch as a cat comes prancing in, meowing for attention, announcing their presence and request for playtime.

By falling upon owning two cats, I was also given the opportunity to get involved with the Humane Society. I had never been to the Humane Society before we went and left with our two cats. I left with a lot more than those two kittens. I left with the Humane Society experience. We donated to a good cause; we were educated on options to buy supplies that support animals.

I no longer sit alone in the apartment, or sleep through the night without a cat bunting my face. (While bunting may sound disturbing – it’s not. If anything, it’s a bit annoying when a cat is rolling around your pillow, purring for attention while it rubs its face against yours. An act of love I suppose.) Not only have I benefited myself, but I’d like to think I’ve benefitted them to a life they would not have anywhere else. They benefit the most; they live the life of royalty