Who is or was your very best friend? Some of you might say a friend from high school or the person sitting next to you. You might also mention your roommate or maybe your neighbor. However, if you're more of an introvert, you might say your favorite character in the novel, TV show, comic, or manga you're reading is your best friend. Maybe the teddy bear from when you were a wee child is still your favorite. I'm not judging or anything. There are a few times where I wanted my favorite character from my favorite story to hang out. The point I am leading to is, would you ever consider an animal to be your best friend? Have you ever had a pet, or do you currently have a pet in your life that you have a strong bond with? In this department, I feel blessed to have the biggest group of friends someone could ever have.
Ever since I was a young one, I grew up surrounded by dogs and the occasional outdoor cat or two. Those dogs meant a lot to me, from our smallest dascund to our biggest lab mix. Then, when I was five, my father brought home two stray cats. I was quick to name them after my favorite characters on a show that was popular at that time. I am not going to say the show, so don't ask. However, these cats built the foundation for my early childhood. I knew that even if I could make friends out in the world, I could always lean on my cats and dogs. Despite my positive attitude, I soon realized that this relationship was only temporary. One after one, the dogs I had grown up with would eventually leave this Earth, peacefully and in a good home. Then, by some miracle, there were two new dogs in my house when I got home from school one spring day. I think it was second or third grade when my aunt found two dogs left on the highway and brought them to my house. They were treated well; however, before we could fix them, they had had two litters of puppies. As an eight or nine year old, I was thrilled. My parents, on the other hand, had nine puppies to give away. We kept one and another we gave to my grandparents.
Throughout this new period, I felt pretty stable. I didn't really make it a goal of mine to make friends in school or life too much. I believe I was surrounded by creatures that cared for me, and I could care for them back. It felt our family kept growing, and while there were some losses, it just felt stable enough to continue to live a happy life. During the pandemic, when everyone was locked at home and freaking out, I enjoyed it for a short time before I went crazy myself. I was surrounded by loving friends, watching over me every day. However, after the pandemic began, a series of unfortunate events. Over five years, one of my pets passed on one after another. One was getting up in years, and another was ill. This includes this year, after one week of being back to campus following winter break. One of my cats, who had been with the family for seventeen years, had passed away. This came after the death of my grandfather, so I was not in a good state at the time.
While some of you might see a pet as a trendy thing or a piece in the puzzle of a perfect family. You must look deeper as to why humans have pets in the first place. Pets were used by humans to guard homes at night, hunt for food during rough seasons, and, most importantly, provide comfort and support during serious hardships. Animals are living beings, too; they have souls like we do. If you don't believe me, then tell me why they show affection to one another and to humans if given the opportunity. Why do they protect their offspring from danger and support them as they mature? We mustn't go around thinking humans are the superior species all the time. Who would want to be associated with someone like that? All animals have a role on this planet; the cat who sleeps with you at night keeps you supported, and the dog who guards your home from intruders. Respect all life if you want it to respect you. Also, when it comes time for your perfect companion to pass on, don't treat their vessel like garbage. Respect it by either burial or cremation. Remember what they meant to you as you say your final goodbye; remember what they did for you and what you did for them. These are friends that had full trust in you to look out for them when they could have been left for dead. These innocent creatures, pure of soul, loved you. I hope you loved them too. You couldn't have asked for a better friend in this unique life of yours. As a final request, never stop making these friendships. If you can, adopt an animal from the shelter and give it a good home and all the love you have.
Born with the purest of souls
Animals shouldn't be treated as fouls
They may drive you insane
But there is still more love to gain
Even from a friend who steals your dinner rolls
Life is short, but not for thee
There are fewer days for a pet to see
Support and care for them
Never let the love become dim
You mean the world to them; never let that thought flee
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