Everyone who has owned a dog, cat, duck, turtle, or any other animal knows the joys of being a pet parent. Endless cuddles and love from an animal that CHOOSES to love you. There are no requirements for their love, no stipulations to be met. They love us regardless of our size or looks or dreaded morning breath. Somewhere along the way, they enter our lives and end up leaving paw prints on our hearts. From cuddles on a cold winter day to sunbathing on the beach, we include them in our daily activities and even on our Christmas cards. They become part of the family. They don’t cause drama, and the best part is they can’t tell anyone our secrets- although I don’t they would even if they could. Sometimes, at the end of a long day, we need to be loved in a way humans can’t provide. Sometimes we need to unwind and just get away from the world. This is where our four-legged, winged, reptile friends come in. They provide a sense of calmness that is unprecedented to any other.

Providing them a loving home is our job; making sure we’re loved is theirs. It’s the least we can do in return for their unconditional, no-strings-attached love. They share holidays with us; they even share meals with us. By including them in everyday lives, they come to know us, sometimes, better than we know ourselves. They can sense when we’re discouraged and often cuddle up to us to show they’re always there. They provide comfort in the darkest of times. Their uncanny ability to sense when their human needs a cuddle after a long day or a kiss to send away the tears is what makes them more than just an animal; it makes them family.