Thread: The gift of a pet

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We use to have a family dog however we put her down last year because of old age and suffering. She was with us for 14 years wich is a pretty long time.
After we let her go, we just never really got around to getting any kind of pet. Not even a single gold fish. She was my first and only dog. I loved her tons. When she left it's like apart of me went with her. To have such an amazing loyal commpainon like her for ever changed my life. It might be wierd to say but I think a dogs really the only thing on this earth that will truley understand how you feel. It's wierd because there's so much emotion in life and when your having a bad day there always there to greet you and just lay with you. The best part is they don't talk back. Then you can ponder for hours at a time.

Just sitting, waiting and wishing.

I think it's been to long. It's time to get back in the saddle and find a pet that needs some love to. It's tough but life aint always beautiful.

The one true great thing a pet can bring is love its self. They give you a reason to care. Not just because someone else tells you too. They also make you grown up and and stronger in a sense since your faced with responseability.

If you don't have a pet now, you should get one if your missing something in your life. Even if you aren't missing something, it's still a good thing to have, cheerish, love and committ to.

I love animals... the whole family does. We volunteer for the local APL and take in the occasional overflow from time to time. Can't say that they don't tug at your heart strings when we have to let them go.

Fortunately for us, 3 of the cats have never gone back. We've adopted them. We also have a 6 year old golden retriever that we got because she was getting too old.

I personally would like to have a couple more cats, but I think we've reached our limits.

It's definately great seeing each animals different personalities, and how well they all get along

Go ahead Halloweenking...jump back into it and get another pet. You won't regret it.

Halloweenking, I know what you mean.
I got my dog ,Jasper, 14 years ago when he was a wee puppy.
He was a great companion, he loved riding in my truck, taking walks, and just being there when I was feeling down.

Last Dec I had to have him put to sleep because he had cancer and was dying and in pain.
GOD, I miss him.
I'm 60 years old and over the years I have learned to not let things bother me, but when I took him to the vet to put him to sleep, I couldn't hold back the tears.
As I type this I have tears in my eyes thinking about him.

I swore I would NOT have another dog, its too hard when you lose them.
But, my wife reminded me that we were "dog" people and urged me to at least think about another dog.
She suggested that when I felt the time was right that I might go to the local dog pound and see what they had.
Well, one day last Feb I was in the area and thought what the heck, I might as well stop at the pound, just to see .
30 dogs and some assorted cats, all trying to get my attention.
There were several that caught my eye, but one had ice blue eyes and that did it.
I was told he was neglected and someone dumped him in the country.
Not abused evidently, just neglected.
He has turned out to be a great dog, he will never be like Jasper, but then he isn't Jasper.

The sad part is that the day I picked up the dog, the vet was there and told me if I wanted to get a dog that I had better hurry because he was about to put some of them to sleep.

I wish I had the room to take all of them home, they deserve a chance, but I can only do so much.
I played with some of the dogs at the pound, they were all playful, and happy for some attention and affection.

I just wish when someone decides to get an animal that they would consider the pound.
There are some wonderful animals that are warm, friendly, and loving that need and deserve a good home.

Not all animals there are strays or mean animals.
Most of them, Like the one I got, are just not wanted anymore because their owners were tired of them and just wanted them gone.
Just throw them away like a piece of garbage because they are tired of them.
The animal has to suffer because their owners changed their mind about them being around.

Consider at least going to the pound and look to see what they have to offer, I'm sure at least one will pull at your heart strings.
And you will be helping a good animal find a warm and loving home.

OK, now I'm off the soap box.

CoalMinersGhost, and strange1, you are two totally awesome people!! I agree with you strange1, it would be great if all the animals could find good homes, if people adopted from the pound or humane society.
HK, I hope you get another pet, I have had both dogs and cats, both are great. At the moment, i have 4 cats. They love me unconditionally, If I am having a bad day, or don't feel good, they seem to know, and then seem to cuddle with me more, some how, animals sense our feelings and emotions. Mine are big babies, and spoiled completely, but that's ok!

I couldn't agree more halloweenking. We recently had to put down our old Schnauzer at the age of 15. She was only the second dog my sons had. They are now 33 and 31. Their first dog was a Cocker Spaniel. He was with us for 17 yrs. We never look at a pet as a short term comittment. We have a 9 yr. old Jack Russell Terrier. When he is gone and it is time to get another dog we will make a very careful choice because at our age, our next dog could be the one that goes to the old folks home with us.

Awww..HalloweenKing, I feel like getting a dog and mailing it to you with a big bow on it. I know the feeling, it's like losing a family member and it just breaks your heart.

My office building backs up to the SCPA and once in a while I stop in to drop off old clothes or blankets and walk around. I ALWAYS leave teary because I want to take every single animal in the place home with me. However, with 2 dogs, 5 cats, a bunny and a hamster I think we've reached maximum pet capacity for the moment. Check out your local shelter-there are a lot of loving orphans out there who would be lucky to have you!

Good luck!

I'm calling in "sick" for work tomarrow so I can go check out some places. I'v been checking out the Boulder Humane on the web and I'm lookin at this guy: (Dave)

http://boulderhumane.org/hsbv/go.asp?mode=adopt_dogs

The problem is I just want to take all of them home.