What I learned from my pet

I moved into a townhouse community that was still being developed so the condo commandos had not yet formed an association to suck the joy out of life, leaving the dog-hating-sub-human scumballs impotent and frustrated.... (Hmmmm do I detect a bit of anger there?) ANYWAY......

I had a to-die-for-adorable Wheaton puppy, Regis, a rolly-poly ball of fluff. We would walk on the path that went around the marina and for every person that came our way, Regis would perk up, wag his tail, and anticipate the oohs and aahs, baby-talk, and petting that were his birthright. It never ceased to amaze me that the overwhelming majority gave him nothing more than a dirty look, but what amazed me more, was a) Regis never let it get him down. He had a total "your loss" frame of mind as he trotted along, and b) Regis never gave up hope!!! He was absolutely SURE that the next person would adore him. And you know what? He was right!!! I mean, at some point, the next person WOULD adore him!

So Regis taught me: don't let the grumpy people get you down and keep looking for the person that will be glad to see you, because he/she is just around the corner!

How cute Chat!!!!

Well....my cats have taught me that there is ALWAYS time for cuddling!!! :D and kisses :p

I learned from my cat Baron not to be too focused on looks but more on personality and character.

He was a stray with a direct ticket to an animal shelter, when I was asked if I wanted to take him. I hesitated because I have always been biased against ginger cats and he was a bit struppy, smelly ginger-white tom cat ... Basically, he was soooo not the type of cat I like, aesthetically speaking lol.

Still, from the description of his really sociable, friendly and non-aggressive attitude and my first hand experience of his "cuddle addiction", I decided to give him a try - and I was very blessed having him :)

I said it elsewhere, he was the sweetest, friendliest, happiest and downright positive cat I ever imagined ... if I had made my decision based on his looks, I would have missed out on a very adorable and memorable cat ... :)

Teaches me to not get to wrapped up in aesthetics, but really pay attention to the core of any being ... :)

Those are cute stories. :)

I haven't really learned anything directly from my pets in that same way but I've learned about committment and husbandry.

It's something I feel a lot of people overlook when they get a pet: committment. I've learned that a life is a life and whether the pet costs $1 or $1,000 that they all deserve to be treated humanely, respectfully.

I won't buy a beta for my kid until he's ready to prove to me he can care for it. Although it's just a $2 fish that lives in a small tank, it's not a disposable pet and he needs to learn the value of that small life before he can have one.

Oh, and I guess I've learned that no matter how domesticated or friendly an animal may appear, it is still an animal and should always be treated with a degree of caution in certain circumstances (such as during interaction with small children).

Ive learned that no matter how bad a mood I can be in, a nose rub with my daughters cat Muffy can put everything right again.... :D

I've learned that just like PEOPLE, you can't make a pet love you. Either you're friends or your not friends and there's not a darn thing you can do about it, other than treat it well, love it to the best of your ability or find it another home should it prove to be miserable in your company.

I've learned that animals have incredible personalities, just like people, and no two animals are exactly alike and you cannot replace the one who IS your best friend...

... I've also learned that choosing the right pet is a two way street. It's almost better to let the pet choose YOU than to try to "save" an animal who doesn't LIKE you. Just like people, you can't fix them when they're broken inside and you can't make them like you...

And lastly, I've learned that the love I have for my pets is deeper than any "thing"... as much as I am loathe when they destroy something ~ chew it up, shred it, pee on it or whatever ~ it's only a THING that most likely CAN be replaced. That love and friendship I have with my little fuzzy friends cannot be replaced easily... and it takes YEARS to build trust and respect with an animal, just like it does with a person.

~phos

"I've also learned that choosing the right pet is a two way street. It's almost better to let the pet choose YOU than to try to "save" an animal who doesn't LIKE you. Just like people, you can't fix them when they're broken inside and you can't make them like you..."

Well yes and no. I see the point and there are some animals that I just can't connect with, but I have a little black and white furball sitting under my chair who was totally bonkers two years ago and didn't like anyone or anybody. A very wounded creature.
She's the love of my life now and I'm very glad I saved her, even though she was a little too broken to help me out there much in the beginning.

She came out from under the bed after two months and it's been a love fest since then :>