I am an only child.

This statement would define how so many people would look at me growing up, and probably still does. Some people think my life is perfect and that I get everything I want, and others think my life is boring because I never had siblings to play with as a child or hangout with now.

In some ways, both of these statements are true, but, because I am an only child I grew up having all sorts of pets. I grew up with dogs, cats, fish, hermit crabs, a turtle, and although the horses I would ride in lessons were never actually mine, they were/are mine at heart.

The first time I experienced death as a child, and actually understood what was happening, was when my dog, Rocky, passed away. I was nine at the time. I was so sad I spent three days home from school.

To a “normal” individual this is asinine. For my family, this makes perfect sense.

When one of my pets dies, it’s like losing a sibling to me. I’ve cared for, loved, and played with them every day for the last 10, and in some cases 16 years.

When your pets become your family, you grow attached to them. They mean the world to you and you would squash anyone who hurt them. They’ve been around for all the tests and triumphs of your life: mama having cancer, losing one of your other beloved pets, the passing of a family member, the college acceptances, athletic achievements, and the trial of finding a career.

Each pet has their own distinct personality that makes them so unique. For example, Hogan would sass me when I wouldn’t give him the ball, Kodie wiggles when she gets super excited, Thomas didn’t like anyone but me, and Pride refuses to sleep anywhere but on someone’s legs, whether they be my legs or my mama’s.

Please don’t feel sorry for me because I don’t have a large family. Do I sometimes wish I had a brother or sister? Yes. But, in some ways having animals as family members is so much better. I don’t have siblings who tell me I’m wrong. I’ve never had a sibling rivalry. I’ve never had to watch a sibling get rejected whether that be from a school, team, or date. I only get to see good and happy things. I get to see my furfamily gain their coordination as youngins, I get to see them play and be happy, and I get to see them experience nature and not try to destroy it.

My pets are my family, and I see no shame in that.