Pets nurture our humanity.
Please discuss. How does this play out in life?
I’ll start us out. Two-thirds of U.S. households have pets. That’s a significant portion of us. For most of us at least one animal companion is part of our family life. While we have a variety of overt reason for having a pet—companionship, protection, varmint control, incentive to exercise—there is another benefit to pets that we may not consider.
An animal companion helps us develop our finer nature. When we regularly care for and interact with a living member of another species, we grow. We learn to be responsible, reliable, empathetic, caring. We understand the value of uncomplicated love and come to appreciate the beauty and grace of a being in all stages of life. Pets help us become finer versions of ourselves.
Today’s message ask me to reflect on my cat companions past and present and the lessons they taught me. With each cat who came into my life, I’ve evolved and become a better and more aware caretaker. Through this shift, they’ve been patient and supportive as I’ve learned to love them more completely. In gratitude to all of you: Mama Kitty, Flame, Tigger, Minx, Muffin, Misty, Beauregard, Elphinstone, Greyfur, Jasper, Orion, Makhota, Rishi, Shaman, Angelica. You’ve made my life richer and more complete and taught me how to appreciate you more.
How about you? What have your pets taught you?
For a lovely and more complete exploration of this topic, I highly recommend Temple Grandin’s book “Animals Make Us Human.” https://www.amazon.com/Animals-Make-Human-Temple-Grandin/dp/0547248237/