Adopting unconditional love

I have always loved animals. Who doesn’t? But as an adult I didn’t have one as a pet. Then I inherited Tiger the cat when my dad passed away and when I lost her, we adopted Rico, another gray tabby cat. Those two little furry felines completely stole my heart.

Tiger and I would talk with each other. Yes, I mean talk. I became quite fluent in “cat.” She told me what she wanted, and I told her what I wanted. When I called out “Tigy, where are you?” she answered me. Guests got a big kick out of listening to Tiger and me chat with each other. When either Sue or I came home she met us at the door.

On a table was her “snuggle box.” It was a box that a Christmas present had come in and when we put it on the table, she jumped right in. So, we lined it with soft towels, and it was Tiger’s for years. All I had to do is say “snuggle box?” and she jumped right in there, purred and enjoyed snuggling, chin scratching or a tummy rub. Every morning, I brought her breakfast and collected a kiss at the top of the stairs.

I cannot begin to tell you the joy and the countless beautiful memories I have of our ten years with her.

We adopted Rico through a local shelter and picked him up from his foster home. We think he was six or seven years old. He looked a great deal like Tiger and was a playful, affectionate cat. He adored Sue and tolerated me. I think he saw me as a rival for Sue’s attention, and he wanted it all. They were inseparable. Rico was with us for six years before developing liver cancer.

Again, more wonderful memories than you could count.

Of course, Sue and I are not the only people who have had and loved pets over the years.

“We currently have an adopted dog—Dash,” says Bob R.? “My wife has volunteered for the Oldies but Goodies dog rescue group for more than 20 years. We have fostered at least 20 dogs that were ultimately adopted by others and adopted close to 10 ourselves.”

Christine S., “When I met Andy it was clear that he was the dog for me. He lived a long happy life (15 years) in East Lansing as best friend to my sons and buddy to their friends.”

“We got our Havanese dog Molly five years ago,” says Richard L. “While she is not a ‘service dog’ she does serve as my emotional support dog. Molly keeps me grounded. She is a sweetheart.”

Lori R. told me, “We have had 4 dogs. They were cherished family members. Our daughter has adopted two rescues, both of whom look very similar to our first puppy, Muffy, who was a Bichon Frise. Our dogs have brought so much joy, love and comfort to our lives.”

“We have had 17 dogs,” says Tim J. “We bought two of them, the rest were strays who found us or were adopted from a pet rescue. Our lives have been all the better for the dogs we’ve shared them with. Whenever I come home, I’m met at the door by a pair of furry kids that are overjoyed to see me. No matter how bad my day has been, I always feel better.”

Finally, Jim W. shared, “We had 2 adopted dogs and our daughter has had one for 10 yrs. All were great experiences.”

But Jim also added some important things to consider when adopting a pet. “Can one afford it financially and the time to take care of the animal? Vets are not cheap and one’s time together with the animal is important. Remember, one is adopting an animal and not a child. They need leadership and routine. If ‘getting for the kids’, they should be responsible for some part that they can do.”

Sue and I now contribute monthly to several humane shelters, including the Sanilac County Humane Society in Carsonville, Michigan. If you can, please contribute. Or even better, adopt a pet. It’s the only true love money can buy.