What’s Your Positive Experience of Having a Pet?
This is the question I was asked by Royal Canin Canada.
Yet, when confronted with this question I am overwhelmed.
Why?
Is it because the pets throughout my life or the pets I have now mean nothing to me or have had no positive effects throughout my life?
No.
It’s because they have meant SO much to me and have brought SO much to my life it becomes an overwhelming task to answer the question. The thought of trying to sum it up on one page or a few paragraphs seems next to impossible.
Each pet I’ve had has taught and given me something different.
Empowerment
As a shy teenager, nothing gave me greater pleasure or confidence when sitting high upon my horse. To this day I still remember the feeling of galloping my horse in an open field, looking between her ears at nothing but fields and freedom in front of me. It was very empowering for me at that time of my life.
Patience: Whether it be potty training a puppy; teaching a kitten that it’s not ok to climb the curtains; standing out on a cold winter days or trying to stay dry while waiting in the rain for my pug Edie to find her perfect potty spot.
Understanding: That not all my pets are the same. Therefore I must remember this and treat each one as an individual.
Calm: Having pets give me a sense of calm.
Confidence: Edie has given me confidence in myself, taking me out of my comfort zone attending conferences and events where I meet and talk to new people.
Confidence in meeting new people
Adventure: I’ve not had so many adventures since Edie came into my life!
Learn: to enjoy the simple things in life; a car ride; going to the park or beach for a walk, playing in the snow, seeing the cats find that perfect sunbeam to nap in.
Enjoy the simple things in life
Laughter: Watching my cats, Lily and Lloyd chase sunspots on a wall; run after tin foil balls; hide under the blankets on the beds. Edie teasing me with a toy in her mouth, tempting me to take it from her, watching her run zoomies around the garden; laughing as her pug head tilts from side to side when you ask her a question or she hears a strange noise.
Edie
Lily
Lloyd
Love
I can’t talk about my pets and what they mean to me, the positive experiences that they have brought into my life without using the most powerful, positive and important word of all:
Love
If you were asked the question: What’s your positive experience of having a pet, how would you answer it? Would you find it as overwhelming and emotional as I did?
Read how others answered this question by visiting the Royal Canin blog
April 21, 2016
My pets have taught me so much in life – though I think my rabbits have taught me more than any of them. My rabbits have taught me to be patient, they have me to be calmer in stressful situations, they have taught me the importance and responsibility of caring for another living being.. it is slightly overwhelming! My life has changed so much since I brought my first bunny home!
April 21, 2016
I totally agree. Having pets give me a sense of calm
April 21, 2016
They are very good at calming us aren’t they!
April 21, 2016
There’s no single answer… but I guess it’s unconditional love, companionship and in winter, warmth – they all love to snuggle on the bed.
April 21, 2016
Nothing like a good snuggle with our anipals!
April 21, 2016
I agree, this isn’t an easy answer because they teach us so much but I think unconditional love is definitely on the top! You’ve written a beautiful post!
April 21, 2016
Our pets are always there for us – unconditionally.
Thank you!
April 21, 2016
Great post! My pets have definitely taught me so much. Both my fur angel tabby cat Pumpkin and my 8 year old husky Gracie have such sweet souls. I still haven’t met a cat as loving and as gentle as Pumpkin was. He was so tolerant of me in my childhood days and stayed by my side as I grew up. He loved people, but he especially loved his people. His favorite place to take a nap was always my lap. Gracie is also a huge sweetheart. She lives for belly rubs and car rides! She has been a loyal friend for the last almost 8 years and was everything I needed when Pumpkin passed. Gracie has had some bad cards dealt to her in life, but continues to amaze me with her pure joy to start each day. I just hope I can have half the heart these two have had.
April 21, 2016
If humans had half the heart our pets have, we’d all be better and happier for it.
April 21, 2016
My first instinct is to say love, but I think “confidence” would be more accurate. On days when I am not emotionally functioning, my pets are the non-judgmental companions I need. It helps me face the humans in my life!
April 21, 2016
Yes! Confidence!
April 20, 2016
Definitely not a simple question to answer. All my pets have each given me so much and meant so much to me. I think the biggest constant though is their unconditional love & how amazing that feels.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
April 21, 2016
It does feel great, doesn’t it!
April 20, 2016
There’s so many! I love the very special bond that is forged, unconditional love, trust, camaraderie, comfort for both the pet and me, inspiration…having one of my Huskies, Gibson, being a special needs dog (epileptic), I learned so much from him and he inspired me tremendously every single day of his life. Gibson showed me that no matter what, embrace each day with joy and #LiveGibStrong!
April 21, 2016
“Embrace each day”!
April 20, 2016
My pets have given me love, which we try to share with the world!
April 21, 2016
Sharing the love is what it’s all about!
April 20, 2016
I’ve been lucky to have pets my whole life which makes for lots of happy memories. They’ve added so much joy and love to my life.
April 20, 2016
I don’t know how I could go through life without my fur babies.
April 21, 2016
Neither do I!
April 20, 2016
The give me unconditional love and are my best friends. They brings me happiness and calm in my crazy world.
April 21, 2016
Calm! Yes, it’s amazing how they can give us this 🙂
April 20, 2016
Your answer is so moving and I enjoyed reading about your experience with your furbabies.
My first thought is unconditional love, but it is quite overwhelming to put it into a comment. I’ve had so many furbabies and feathered companions over the years, I’d probably end up with a book if I started to answer this in depth!
April 21, 2016
You are so kind.
All the pets and animals in my life have moved me in some form or another. If I kept going it would be a book too!
April 20, 2016
You captured my thoughts perfectly. My dogs bring so much joy into my life it’s really hard to put it in words!
April 21, 2016
It was extremely difficult to put into words – and I still don’t think I’ve said it all or described it fully.
April 20, 2016
What a blessing that you had pets to give you so many positives! I would be a shell of a person without having had all of mine. They’re in my DNA. I’m having the best time using my blog and social media to convince others why I love them so much!
April 21, 2016
I couldn’t imagine a life without any of them!
I love this “they’re in my DNA”!
What a perfect way to say it.
April 20, 2016
I love the companionship and the adventures! Life isn’t the same without a little pup following me everywhere!
April 21, 2016
They become part of us, don’t they!
April 20, 2016
Beautiful post by the way 🙂
April 21, 2016
Thank you so very much!
April 20, 2016
It’s definitely gotta be love 🙂
April 21, 2016
Definitely!
April 20, 2016
Getting me out to the dog park, making me laugh and of course her love and licks
April 20, 2016
This is a really great post. I had almost no experience with pets until I was 20 years old and my (now) wife’s family got a Golden Retriever puppy. Little did I know that this puppy would come to live with us a few years and it would completely change my life!
We now have 2 dogs and 2 cats and I can not imagine my life without pets. I would say the greatest thing they have taught me is a positive outlook on life. They live completely in the moment and are completely open to new things and adventures.
April 21, 2016
Thank you! No matter our age when pets come into out lives, the surely make and impact and we wonder how we lived without them before then.
April 21, 2016
Well said!
April 23, 2016
Thank you!
April 20, 2016
Love would have to be at the top of my list, with all my pets.
April 20, 2016
Love is the top of the list!
April 20, 2016
What a wonderful post, and a true tribute to all pets, but especially Edie! 🙂
April 20, 2016
Thank you Nichole. And Edie give you a big pug kiss 🙂
April 20, 2016
No easy answer…I guess the simplest answer is my pets have given me my career. And my purpose. I was put on this earth for cats and dogs, I truly believe that.
April 20, 2016
The ability to give love so freely and have it reciprocated in the same – that is what our pups give us! Plus a whole lot of laughter! Thanks for the reminder to recognize these quiet, yet powerful everyday moments!