Every day on Facebook, I see people re-post things such as "Why You Should Thank Your Mom" or "Why You Should Thank Your Little Sister." The list of different human titles goes on and on, but I feel it's time to give your four-legged friends a round of applause. Ever since I was little, I have always had a furry companion by my side. Although my parents never let me get a Sir Peter Cottontail or a technicolor lizard, dogs and cats always found a way to come into my life. Whether it was through a mutal friend, or on the side of the road with a sign that says "Free Kittens!" my family was known to surpass the city limit for the respectable number of pets in a household (whoops). All in all, we should thank animals, small or large, fluffy or hairless.
1) They don't judge.
The everyday struggle is trying to live your life the way you want to live it. Thankfully, you have animals who will let you do just that. You want to rant about that girl at Chipotle who wouldn't stop staring at you? Your pets are all ears. You want to walk around your house completely naked just because? Your pets are always naked. You want to finish your third bowl of ice cream? Make sure to have a spoon for them as well. You could be completely wrong in an argument and they won't bite back, they never say the wrong things.
2) They know when something is wrong, even without you saying anything.
For all you individuals out there upset about not having a significant other, get an animal. They're more in tune to everyone's mental states than half of the earth's population. In my experience, both cats and dogs have come running whenever I have been upset and never left my side until I was better. Not just for physical pain either, it works emotionally too. You could be having an off day and you bet they will be right by your side the moment they see you. They are the best built-in relationship you could ask for.
3) You're important to them, you're a priority.
Every day, your pet wakes up excited to see you, excited to get fed by you, excited to spend the day with you. Sure, sometimes they can be distant and act like they are too cool, but at the end of the day, you are the number one priority in their life. You go to work, they wait for you to get home. You go to the gym, they wait for you to get home. They are loyal to you and will always come running back into your arms after a long day. Their pure happiness is when they can be next to you or another member of the family. They may be a part of your life, but for them, you're their entire life.
4) They are more than content with the bare minimum.
Everyone has that friend that just has to be "Wow!" every time they go out, or want to do something. With pets, you can just feed them, and that will make them happy for the rest of the day! Throw your dog a bone, twirl around some pipe cleaner with your cat -- hell, even break out the laser pointer! Think about having to keep a baby versus a puppy or kitten happy. I would take my chances with the animals. Sometimes all you have to do is give them a look, or a pat on the head, and that get their tails a-waggin' (or in a cat's case, start up the purring machine).
I've heard a few times that it's not the animal that's mean, it's the way that they were raised. Whenever I hear this said, I always think to myself, "Now is this how you want to raise your child? As the mean kid?" Most of the time, I would guess that the answer would be no. So then I ask, "Why act like your animal is any less of a family member than your child?" They directly reflect who you are. They reflect your life, so why give that animal a bad life when it's the only life they give you?
Your animals give you everything they are capable of, whether you believe it or not. Animals get old and they pass away, they love you unconditionally and are the only thing that will always love you more than you love yourself until they day they die. Animals are the best thing that can happen to an individual. It's even scientifically proven that you become healthier owning a pet, so why not give them the thank you that they deserve?
