You & Your Pet(s): The Importance of the Human-Animal Bond

[Taffi Abernathy]

It is well-documented that owning a pet has important health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and mitigating depression. We love our pets and often share a special bond with them. Would you please take a moment to talk about your pet(s) and your special relationship with them? Whether you own birds, horses, ferrets, cats, dogs, snakes, turtles, doesn't matter. What counts is what your pet brings to your life. Feel free to upload pictures of your beloved animal companion(s) to share with the rest of us.

[redshirt1957]

Salt water tank. Fresh water tank. African Grey Parrot. Twenty pound indoor cat. Feral Cat that only our special ten year old can touch. Dum Dog aka Boston Terrier. Lower blood pressure? Still waiting for that to happen.

[Deputydog]

Well Taffi i have three cats,two dogs,and one horse (wife's horse). The outside cat just decided to live on our front porch so we've been feeding him for about 3 months now and then the other two cats stay in the house along with our cocker spaniel and well they are extremely SPOILED and i have one more dog who stays outside because he is a bird dog that i hunt with the horse stays at a friend's farm and well we love all of them.

[GinGinD]

I have 3 cats and 1 dog. Also an unfortunate tendency to bring home strays.

Jeannie

[Latrodectus]

I have spiders, snakes and frogs...and 2 boxers...
Pets make me happy and yes I talk to my dogs...
Good health, yes...I am never sick.

[Alcan]

You & Your Pet(s): The Importance of the Human-Animal Bond

There is no bond. When they die you bury them and buy another.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by Alcan

There is no bond. When they die you bury them and buy another.

Why would you take on responsibility and expense for a creature for which you have no feelings? Is it for the benefit of someone else in your family?

[Mike B]

I have one dog. She is defiantly a big part of our family.

[Lisa]

Good grief, Al!

I sort of hate to say this, but since having kids I've taken a different view of having pets. They became much less important to me, and more of a burden to care for and clean up after. I guess I transferred all of my love to my new human "pets." When our old cat died after 19 years, I was a little relieved to be free of hairballs, barf, stinky litterboxes and shed fur everywhere. By far the worst part about her death was seeing my daughter grieve.

However, now, I have a new appreciation for animals from the perspective of them being my chidren's pets. My daughter has had a mouse and now, two gerbils. I think it teaches a kid a lot to care for and love these little creatures.

Baby gerbil - eyes not open yet - we babysat the classroom litter and their parents over Spring Break this year:

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by Alcan

There is no bond. When they die you bury them and buy another.

To each their own.

I have a Jack Russell (see avatar) named Scout.

He is 7 years old and a great dog full of personality.

He is smart, obedient, loving, and playful. Better characteristics than most people I know.

He started having seizure a couple of years ago which worsened gradually over time. He is now medicated to suppress them. Fortunately , the meds have been effective and he is doing well.

[jason981]

I have an African Grey called Ernie. He is 1 year old and spoiled rotten
He is such a character.

[Andad]

Geez Al, that sounded a bit harsh mate.

My rabbit scratches at the door every evening and sits on my lap for an ear rub every night. I take Harris for a walk every morning and Piggy follows me around the garden looking for grapes.
I don't know what the family will do when they all leave for that hutch/kennel in the sky.
I do know, without a doubt, that they help me through get through the day.

[jdc]

four cats, the mum and three off spring. The mother adopted us at a very young age it had either got lost or thrown out. Was not tagged so could not find out where it came from. She got pregnant and had a litter of five which she gave birth to in our kitchen in front of the children. We kept three. All are very different. Lots of cats in our area so often fights usually involving the boy Bobby



Pets are good for children, the kids love it when they sleep on their beds. My wife adores the cats.

[rkb]

I have never had a pet other than fish before a year ago when I got our Min Pin. I didn't realize how much of a bond we would have, I guess I have always been just a boy who needed his dog but didn't know it.

[away36]

We have two cats. If I had my choice, we'd have half a dozen! I LOVE these cats. The elder of the two is about 12 years old now. She's gentle, ladylike and rarely meows. She's always been an absolute joy to me and always seems to know when I need comforting. If I'm lying on my bed having a good cry (yes, I do that....), she immediately comes up onto the bed and lies down beside me and puts her head on my arm. I will be devastated when I lose her. The other cat is hilarious.....loud, annoying in her constant demand for attention, forever afraid she won't get as much food or as many treats as the other cat etc., but is an absolute joy to have around because she constantly keeps me laughing. I can't imagine life without them!

[idk01]

Excellent thread Faith!

I have a little Jack Russell named Jake, He was our little Fur Kid before we were blessed with my little girl Raiyne.

He still is out first, and is one of the family, Very smart, sometimes way too smart :-) As Pav said above, Loyal all the way and a very loving dog, very sensitive and fussy with his food, then again Jen and I are too so he gets that from us :-)

He is a house dog, I don't care if he sheds fur in the house, a quick vacuum is a small price to pay to have him close to us, the only issue we have had is the pecking order between him and my daughter :-) now thats been fun although they are becoming the best of friends, until Raiyne decided to give Jake a big hug, Here are some pictures of a little guy who is a big part of our life and looks after us as well as we look after him

The last pic is the cuddle shot :-) its that when is this going to be over look

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by idk01

Excellent thread Faith!

I have a little Jack Russell named Jake, He was our little Fur Kid before we were blessed with my little girl Raiyne.

He still is out first, and is one of the family, Very smart, sometimes way too smart :-) As Pav said above, Loyal all the way and a very loving dog, very sensitive and fussy with his food, then again Jen and I are too so he gets that from us :-)

He is a house dog, I don't care if he sheds fur in the house, a quick vacuum is a small price to pay to have him close to us, the only issue we have had is the pecking order between him and my daughter :-) now thats been fun although they are becoming the best of friends, until Raiyne decided to give Jake a big hug, Here are some pictures of a little guy who is a big part of our life and looks after us as well as we look after him

The last pic is the cuddle shot :-) its that when is this going to be over look

The dog is adorable but your little girl is gorgeous!

[JimSnyder]

Well, what can I say

[away36]

What a FANTASTIC shot of the dogs, Jim!!! LOVE it!!

[Taffi Abernathy]

Here's my avatar only larger.

[xtra3cats]

THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S EMAIL:

R.I.P NOODLE 1999-2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 8:28 AM

I got Noodle from a neighbor lady called "Lush". I actually got Biscuit first, then a few months later she asked me if i could take another. Nobody wanted him, except for me. He was the best cat, a very good boy.

He was very clingy and cries a lot when he sees me, I guess I was the one he loved the most.

He loved being brushed, because he was so fat and getting old, his hygiene was not the best. He had dandruff.

He could not jump or run fast. He likes to do figure 8's around my legs. He would cry and meow very loudly. I would give him half and half creamer.

He had a very round face, body and eyes. Solid black.

The last time i seen him, he kept crying when i was getting in my car. Crying and crying very loud. I stopped and got his brush, a boar's bristle. We brush-brush until he sits down and becomes still.

I do recall his eyes were not as bright or green the last time. I should have spent more time with him, because this might have been a sign that he was on the way out.

He had 10 good years. I feel guilty because i could not keep him at my apartment, he lived in my parent's garage. It was cold the night before, nearly 30 degrees, and i guess he just couldn't take another night like that.

If i could say one more thing to him or do something else, i would brush him again, give him more creamer and then hold him until he stop crying...and then tell him, " you are a very good boy!"

Best regards,

Rita

[away36]

Originally Posted by xtra3cats

THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S EMAIL:


He had 10 good years. I feel guilty because i could not keep him at my apartment, he lived in my parent's garage. It was cold the night before, nearly 30 degrees, and i guess he just couldn't take another night like that.

If i could say one more thing to him or do something else, i would brush him again, give him more creamer and then hold him until he stop crying...and then tell him, " you are a very good boy!"

Best regards,

Rita

FOR RITA

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Coastal1]

Man, I love animals and my kids do too. I could not imagine not having a dog especially
our Siberian Husky. I love that dog. That's my two cents.

[ratae1950]

Thank you for the thread Faith. Marrorie and I have been touched by the TRF family well wishes for our dog Micah who is in the animal hospital. Marjorie not only works with Micah as a therapy dog but has also co-taught a courses at a local university on 'The Human Animal Bond', 'Animals and Healing', and 'Animals and Spirituality'.
Al's view is not uncommon but becoming less prevalent. I will attempt to attach a link to Dog Mountain in Vermont which clearly shows that for many there is a close human animal bond----- Humans are animals after all.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/r...de=1#globalNav

[ratae1950]

Originally Posted by ratae1950

Thank you for the thread Faith. Marrorie and I have been touched by the TRF family well wishes for our dog Micah who is in the animal hospital. Marjorie not only works with Micah as a therapy dog but has also co-taught a courses at a local university on 'The Human Animal Bond', 'Animals and Healing', and 'Animals and Spirituality'.
Al's view is not uncommon but becoming less prevalent. I will attempt to attach a link to Dog Mountain in Vermont which clearly shows that for many there is a close human animal bond----- Humans are animals after all.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/r...de=1#globalNav

Whoops= Marjorie

[Taffi Abernathy]

Some of the time - perhaps even most - I prefer animals to people. Animals love unconditionally, with no hidden agenda. They don't care if you don't look great that day, how many "toys" you own or any number of other things we humans can get so caught up in. They look to us with trusting eyes to fulfill some very basic needs for food, water, affection, etc. In exchange, I know that at least for dogs, many would lose their lives protecting us.

I appreciate that Nancy posted "Rainbow Bridge," it's very touching and never fails to bring a tear to my eye.

[boa2]

When we put Evita (my avatar) to sleep a few years ago, I was a wreck!
We car-camped all over Europe with her, and she ate many a slice of pizza when we lived in Florence, Italy. The locals wouldn't allow me in their restaurants UNLESS I brought her with me. We called her the 'kitty cat', and I reallly miss her.

At 4 months:





In her favorite place, the garden:



We now have these two guys. Mario the Jack Russell (a/k/a "Scrappy", "Pesty", "The Little F***er"), and Rudy the red-nosed Shelter Dog. Rudy is the most loving dog I've ever had.



Mario was on TRF even before I was.

[xtra3cats]

Originally Posted by away36

FOR RITA

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Nancy,

Thank you for the very comforting post. I sent this thread's link to my daughter but she hasn't responded yet. Knowing that she misses Noodle very much, I'm pretty sure she will be touched, grieve and comforted.

I appreciate it.
Roy

[Alcan]

Several years ago, my Mother developed terminal cancer. I woke up one morning to find my cat, which was about 5 or 6 years old and healthy as far as I knew, lying in the kitchen sink. She'd never gone in there before. About 10:00 am I got the phone call from my sister that Mom had passed away. At 2:00 that afternoon the cat died, never getting out of the sink.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Several years ago, my Mother developed terminal cancer. I woke up one morning to find my cat, which was about 5 or 6 years old and healthy as far as I knew, lying in the kitchen sink. She'd never gone in there before. About 10:00 am I got the phone call from my sister that Mom had passed away. At 2:00 that afternoon the cat died, never getting out of the sink.

Al,

I'm sorry to hear about these tragic circumstances, and it certainly puts things in perspective. To say that the incidents would be difficult for anyone to handle would be a gross understatement. Nonetheless, with the passage of time, I hope you come to care for animals again since they enhance one's life to a much greater degree. Best wishes, Faith