OUR LIVES, THEIR PAWS

Love, loss, adoption, and the animals who become part of our lives. I spent last night sitting on the floor in the dark, watching Bailey. She had an upset stomach, throwing up, and unable to settle for more than a few minutes at a time. Every time she stirred, I was up beside her, wiping up the mess, staying close. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. If you have ever spent late hours sitting on the floor with a sick pet, you know how those times feel. It is three in the morning, you are exhausted, and you are doing your best to comfort an animal that relies entirely on you. Last night got me thinking specifically about how a pet adds to our lives. Even though my furbaby was not feeling well, the lack of sleep was worth it when she woke up feeling much better. I took her outside to go potty, gave her some breakfast, and then she snuggled with me while we both slept. Having her rest beside me was comforting because I knew she was okay. I also know that if I have a bad dream, she will lick my face to comfort me. That is one of the things I love about having pets. We take care of them when they need us, but they have their own ways of being there for us, too. Pets can benefit our physical health in ways that become part of our lives. Caring for an animal can encourage us to move more, spend time outdoors, and maintain regular routines. Their needs can get us out of bed on mornings when we might otherwise stay there. They can also encourage consistency because certain tasks cannot simply be skipped when we are tired or busy. For children, helping with those responsibilities can introduce them to accountability and the importance of caring for another living creature. Pets can also have a real effect on our emotional wellbeing. Their presence can give us something positive to focus on when we are stressed, frustrated, or having a difficult day. Playing with an animal can make us laugh when we were not expecting to. Affection can make a bad day feel a little easier. E