The true value of pets

I’VE BEEN THINKING

Carol Goodman Heizer is an author who recently moved to Hood County from Louisville, Kentucky. She has had short stories and articles published in seven editions of “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books. Her column for the Hood County News will appear every two weeks.

Pets, of course, include not only dogs, but also cats, birds, pigs, and reptiles. Other not-so-common pets that are legal to own include chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, pygmy goats, guinea pigs, turtles, fennec foxes and bearded dragons – among others.

While some folks seem to be born animal lovers, others choose not to have them in their lives. Forcing a pet on those choosing to be “petless” is not fair to either the human or the animal. Neither will benefit from such a situation. And please do not surprise a child with a pet unless that child is old enough to accept the responsibility – or you are willing to accept the responsibility. The animal cannot care for itself.

When my daughter wanted a horse and my son wanted a dog, my husband and I drew up a written contract for them to sign. It outlined their responsibilities and the consequences that would follow if they did not accept that responsibility on a daily basis. We would give them one warning, and then the animal would go to another good home. My son was reminded only once. My daughter never had to be reminded. However, the success lay in the fact that we had already established within our home that we meant what we said – good or bad. Our children knew our words were not meaningless threats. Otherwise, warnings have no value.

When my daughter and I moved to Granbury, we arrived with our three canine pets – a 10-pound Chihuahua, a 20-pound Beagle, and a 70-pound American Staffordshire. We thought our canine family was complete until recently when a picture flashed across my daughter’s phone screen. The pup, she said, seemed to be saying, “I should belong to you. Come and get me.” And, as they say, the rest is history.

All our dogs are rescues because we believe there are too many animals already waiting for good homes to support puppy mills by purchasing from them. Since we love all our pets, we introduced the new little guy, now known as Wyatt, to each of the others carefully and one at a time. Now the three of them intermingle with no difficulty and often express enjoyment while playing. Of course, the Chihuahua stays off by herself – common with that breed.

For decades, people thought only of the emotional value attached to their pet. But those in science and medicine have discovered the many health benefits of owning a pet. Since space in this column does not permit a detailed explanation of each benefit, please do your own research. Some of the benefits include the following: lower blood pressure and cholesterol, eased depression and chronic pain, and enhanced overall mood.

Dentists were among the first to use fish aquariums in waiting rooms as a distraction for patients, only to discover patients then seemed calmer during treatments. Now folks often see them in medical doctor offices for the same purpose. Try it yourself. For a few moments the next time you are near an aquarium or in a pet store, watch the fish systematically swim back and forth through the water. Notice a difference in the way you feel?

If you can provide a good home for an animal, please visit Granbury’s Friends for Animals Adoption Center on Fall Creek Highway (not accepting cats) or the Hood County Animal Control on Weatherford Highway. By “a good home,” I do not mean chaining or tying the dog in your backyard. They are pack animals and need companionship as much as humans do.

Help support these organizations with monetary and material donations, especially during times of natural disasters when the centers are overrun with animals suddenly in need of homes.

“High need items” that centers need include good-quality dry and canned food for adult and puppy, bleach (must say DISINFECTING on bottle), liquid or powder laundry soap (High Efficiency only).

Other needed items include 15- or 30-gallon trash bags; small white security envelopes; postage stamps; new or gently used collars, harnesses, and leashes; new or gently used toys. Give yourself and an animal a new lease (and leash) on life. The centers and the animals need your help.

cgheizer@gmail.com