When my sister told me our mom had given us a dog, I was a little upset.
We had already gotten one kitten, Princess, who had gotten lonely, resulting in our second kitten, her sister from the same litter, Lil’ Bit.
The two cats were really cute, but as they grew, they seemed to always be under my feet (somewhere I did not want them to be) and they began to get on my nerves. I guess I’m not the cat person I always thought I was.
So, when Beth told me that she was getting a Miniature Chihuahua last April, I expected it to bring about more hassle than enjoyment.
Then Pixi moved in.
She weighed one pound when we got her and maybe stood a measly three inches tall.
She captured our hearts the first day we met her, at my birthday cookout.
All of my friends passed her around and we all fell in love with her.
Since then, Pixi has become a part of our family. She expects everyone at our house, be it friend, stranger, cat or dog, to love her as much as we do.
She stretches like a cat and watches television like a human. She cuddles up on laps to catch her catnaps. She looks out the window when she hears a car pull up and growls at the ones she doesn’t recognize.
She is now almost full-grown, weighing five pounds and standing about 11 inches high. She is the first animal that I have ever become attached to.
I never quite understood people that loved animals. Now, I love Pixi like the family that she is.
Animals who get as much love and attention as Pixi must be the luckiest beings on the planet. All they have to do is truly love and devote themselves to someone and they are loved equally in return.
We love Pixi and she loves us.
If she wants to play fetch, we play.
When we are tired of playing fetch, she cuddles up at our feet.
We always accept her endless stream of kisses, even when her breath is somewhat funky.
We have a give-and-take relationship that we all understand and respect.
It is enlightening to realize that connection between humans and animals.
Considering this bond my sister, our friends and I have with Pixi, it is hard for me to remember the time when I couldn’t relate to animal lovers.
These days, it is even harder for me to understand how pet-owners can neglect their animals, who they claim to love and respect like family.
There are some general, unspoken rules that pet owners abide by, simply out of a love for their pet.
Someone who has a large dog, like a German Shepard or a Collie, should keep in mind that these types of dogs need room to run around. Big dogs like these need big yards or open spaces in which their natural instincts are not inhibited.
If large dogs are forced to live in an insufficient space, they should at least be given ample opportunity to walk, run and play outside through walks and jogs with their owners.
Many pet-owners have hectic schedules that do not allow enough time for quality outings with their pets.
This simply isn’t acceptable.
If you don’t have time to spend with your pet, then you don’t have time to own one.
Animals deserve to be treated humanely. This is why people should only accept the responsibilities of being pet owners if they truly have the time and the money.
Pet food adds a pretty penny to your grocery bill. If you don’t have enough money to keep your cat’s dish full of food, you are not making enough money to own one.
You shouldn’t take this as an insult; you should merely understand that a pet just doesn’t fit into your budget and focus on feeding yourself instead.
Also, pets are not meant to be locked in small, constricting cages.
If you are forced to put restrictions on your dog while you are away, at least make sure he has food and water nearby and can sleep comfortably if need be. Make sure that someone will let him relieve himself when necessary. (Understand that this should be your job but, if time does not allow, it is your responsibility to make sure someone else can.)
Finally, unless you are able to guarantee stable, loving homes for their offspring, get your pets spayed and neutered.
Yes, it costs a small chunk of money. You have to take extra special care of them for a couple of weeks afterwards. You may even get scratched to pieces during the wild goose chase it takes to get them into their travelers. But in the end, when the screeching meows stop and your pet quits going in and out of heat, you will inevitably be thankful you did.
Pets are meant to be companions, not obligations.
People should not accept the responsibilities of owning a pet unless they have the time, money and energy to maintain healthy, happy pets.