Furry Folk

I’m a pet lover. There have only been brief interludes of petlessness in my life. Most of my pets have been cats, because they are best suited to my lifestyle and personality, but I also love dogs. Currently, my best furry friend and constant companion is a golden-retriever/chow-mix bitch named Freeway. She has a sweet personality, a soft touch and the heart of a clown. We share our home with two black cats, a twelve-year-old short-haired queen named Eartha Kitty and a three-year-old long-haired princess named Cleo. The two cats have a few sibling issues, but otherwise we all live in close harmony. My furry family is my world.

All my animals are rescue animals. Both cats came from the local SPCA and Freeway was plucked directly off the street as an abandoned pup. The way I see it, sheltering a homeless animal and saving them from a short, difficult and dangerous life is a true blessing, both for you and for the beast. While all pets may bond with their owners, rescue animals seem to have a special understanding of the grace they have received. They are loving and loyal beyond all others.

I find it astonishing that animals can suffer the harshest treatment at the hands of people and still be able to offer them love and loyalty. I must admit that my heart is not that resilient. I harbor no mercy for those who abuse animals. In my opinion, anyone who mistreats or abandons animals should be cruelly dealt with—beaten, starved, chained to a post or locked in a small cage. If anyone is willing to redeem them within two weeks, pay a hefty fine and promise to keep them on a leash, the first-time offender may be released after being neutered. But if no one will accept responsibility for their behavior, they should be put down without appeal.

But that’s just me. My dog is a better person than I am.

Recently, I was talking with a friend and the topic of pet loss came up. She, too, is an avid pet lover, and she has lost a few very dear pets in recent years. The bereavement has really taken its toll and her, and she said she didn’t want to get any more pets once her current ones are gone. She just doesn’t want to open herself up to any more loss.

I understand her feelings, but I don’t share them. Over the years, I have had to say goodbye to several beloved pets. In some ways, the dogs are harder to lose than the cats, but strangely enough, it’s the cats I miss more than the dogs. I’m not sure what the distinction is, but for me, there seems to be one. Every pet I’ve lost has left a void in my life and saddened me deeply, but each new pet I’ve acquired has filled my heart with love and my life with joy. I can’t imagine trading away all that good feeling just to escape the grief at the end. I’m reasonably certain I’ll continue to adopt new cats as the years go by. Losing Freeway may take an unimaginable toll on me, and it’s possible I’ll decide not to undertake raising another dog, but I’m not so sure about that. She has brought me so much happiness that I might not be able to resist another canine companion.

As Mark Twain said, “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” And I hope to meet you there, Mr. Clemens.