Do you have any family pets?
What are there more of: windows in New York City or Dads who claim “We are never getting another dog” and then end up being the dog’s biggest fan? I am thankful that my Dad is one of those Dads. Twelve years ago, a stray dog wandered into our yard and into our hearts forever – upping the total dog population of our family to three. Twelve years seems like a long time until you lose the one you spent that time with, and suddenly it doesn’t seem nearly long enough.
The unique thing about a family pet is that each member of the family gets to have their own special relationship with the animal. Our dog was there for camping trips and car rides, comforted my younger sister through her angsty teenage years, ate so many dropped scraps off of my younger nephew’s dinner plates, comforted me through a divorce, stayed up late waiting for us girls to get home and never told when we missed curfew, and stuck around to meet both of my children. The ultimate secret keeper, body pillow, and eater of meat thawing on the counter. He endured the loss of other family pets and family members during his time with us. You could always find him lying directly in a doorway or in the middle of the living room rug. We all assumed it was to maximize his chances of a belly rub – perhaps it was. But he was also there exactly when you needed him, sitting stoically as you tried to decompress after a long day or granting free smiles as he wagged his butt excitedly as you came home.
Our family pet enriched many memories I have with my family over the past twelve years. He was always accepting of whatever emotion we needed him to bear and only ever offered joy and comfort in return. My husband and I have discussed that someday, our own children will likely ask for a pet of our own. Admittedly, we have been reluctant to take on more responsibility and wouldn’t until we felt completely ready to accept another member into our family. However, the recent loss of my childhood pet has opened my mind to the possibility of this family addition. Aside from the emotional benefit of having a family pet, they are a great way to introduce children to great responsibility and commitment, along with the satisfaction of caring for another. The family pet offers a special type of companionship that somehow transcends the mourning that comes with their inevitable passing.
This is simply a tribute to all of the best boys and girls – still here or across the rainbow bridge.
