Bless the Beasts

 For Johanna Kirsten Lagman: (I wrote this as a comment to your thread but I feel strongly about it so maybe I'd just share it with all those who've ever loved a pet in their lifetime.)


Pets have a way of validating our existence on this earth. They laugh, cry and celebrate moments of both joy and pain with us. Sometimes, they're better friends than those we can call or talk to. When they go, they take a part of us with them but they always leave with a lesson only we, to whom they've been loyal to can understand. I've spent countless hours mourning the loss of the many cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters in my lifetime. After the grief can strength and fortitude come. We are better people after that because we realize that only when we love those who cannot fully express their feelings--those we call "lesser creatures"--can we say we have truly been HUMAN. 


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