Thanks to those who will take the time to read this, it does a point have a point...

When I read Sirocelot’s "Pets Depend on You", I noticed that we, as much as they do, depend on them as well. Whether it be a dog, cat, fish or bird, we all have something to learn from them. When we take in a pet, we gain more then just a friend and learn more than just responsibility. For those of you who have seen the movie “My Dog Skip” you would know where I'm getting at. I saw it the other day and it got me thinking, what have I learned form my pets? But we do need our pets as much as they need us to care for them. And my father and grandfather can be good examples.

My father, who lost his job because was unable to work due to back surgery , was a bipolar, manic depressant 38yr old man. Since he lost his job all he did was sleep all day and all night. He only got up to eat and use the restroom and went back to bed. He always argued with my mom, yelled at me and my brothers for not doing anything to help her around the house and yelled even more when I asked why he couldn’t get out of bed and help himself. He never really liked dogs, he cannot even stand my dog. Well his birthday came up and me and my mom decided to get him a puppy. So we went and picked up a little border collie puppy and we named him Sammy. Of course we got yelled at for a while, but then I started to see a little change in my dad.

6 weeks later, that cute little pup just ran straight into the street to an on coming car. And my father who was normally stomping around yelling and demanding, broke down and cried. My dad didn’t realize till that pup was gone, that in that little time he had him, Sammy had taught him that even though times are at their worst, there are always the little things that we fail to appreciate and enjoy. To see my dad up and out of bed, walking, smiling, talking and not yelling. Exercising and playing with the dog, It made me happy to see him not so depressed and moping around. And in realizing that my dad had changed even after the passing of that pup. Maybe that’s what God or someone, felt that Sammy did his job and it was just his time to go. He didn’t cry, there was no loud yelp it was just as if he was asleep. And my dad would forever be grateful for what that little pup has taught him.

My grandfather an alcoholic and chronic smoker, lost his job as well because he couldn’t move around due to his diabetes and also suffered from reoccurring black outs. He was always home alone, I would be at school and my grandmother and uncle at work. I was always the first one home and always afraid to come home and find that my grandfather dead from one of his blackouts. So far he has been fortunate that every time he passed out someone would be there to bring him back. Shortly after I got my boy when he was a pup, I took in a 3 year old Pomeranian. I have always wanted one and my friend who worked on a naval base kindly gave him to me because he was unable to take care of him. Of course I got yelled at, my grandmother always gripped at me every time I brought an animal home but she soon became thankful of that little dog.

My grandfather was home bound, we only had one car. So all he would do is wake up go outside smoking a cigarette in one hand, a beer in the other, come inside and sit in his chair and watch the oldies on TVLand. He was a mean looking man but very quiet and kept to himself. Even though my grandfather never paid attention to this ball of fluff, being alone together that dog got so attached to my grandfather never leaving his side. As much as I wanted him I knew my grandfather need him more. He now had some one home with to watch and care for him. He had a friend to talk to and even at that, believe it or not, his blackouts had decreased. He no longer felt alone or had the same routine as everyday because now he felt he had purpose, something he needed to do, and that was to take care of this little dog to get up take him out, feed him when he was hungry. Even though my grandfather cant really walk I could see a little bounce in his step as well as a crooked smile on his face. We are grateful to have brought that dog in our family.

What I learned from my dogs is that I’m never alone, but then again that’s one thing that everyone should learn from their pets. My dogs keep me going they keep me active. I'm out of work and dependent on my grandparents. I have been depressed for a while now because I did have an independent life going. I was supposed to join the navy, left my job and my apartment, only to be sent back for medical reasons. I couldn’t go back to work and I'm in debt with my apartment and the only relief I have is my dogs. I have been looking for work for months and have had no luck. But I haven't exactly lost hope because I have them i need to take care of. I know that if I cant care for them I would have to give them up and I am not about to do that, not any time soon. They make me want to better because not only that I'm failing them I'm failing myself for not doing anything for myself. They inspire me to want to do things, to fix my mistakes and do better for my self. That what my dogs have taught me, not to give up.

Every day we need to find the time to stop and thank and appreciate our pets for what they have done for us. They give us hope and comfort when we are feeling down. They will sit down and listen to our problems. And give us unconditional love even when we are frustrated at them they come back to always forgive us. Think about it…

What have your pets taught you?

This post has been edited by Horndawgs110503 on Jun 30 2009, 10:34 PM

So true, so true.

I must say that my life has always been lacking something that I could never understand. I was always intelligent and everybody always said I had potential and all that. Everybody liked me, and it seemed like I had all the friends anybody could want. I had a good job; you could say that i was living the dream. And, in order to keep my dream, I pushed away something that I regret now. I pushed away love. And I don't see how anybody could blame me. I have seen what some relationships can do to people. It just didn't make any sense to me why somebody would let themselves be tied down by a girl. Love didn't mean anything to me. So many times, I have been asked out on dates and what not, and every time I would tell them that I was simply not interested. I was blinded by my own potential. I was living a life without love.

Well, I started getting depressed for what seemed to be no reason. I mean, life was good. I had everything I could ever want. My education had landed me a real good job that allows me to work when I want and make a lot of money at it. I have a really nice house, a sports car, a secure future, and the means to literally do anything that I may ever want to do. But still, I was depressed. It didn't make any sense to me. After many nights staying awake, crying for no reason, I deduced that maybe my pain was of loneliness. After all, I did spend a lot of time aloneway out here in the woods and it had been scientifically prooven that human beings needed company. When the Russians sent their one cosmonaut into space for a few months without contact, the guy went crazy, literally, so I decided that it was time that I found a companion.

I grew up on a farm. Farm life was what I knew and the animal that I admired the most was the horse. So that was how I acquired my mare. She and I kind of bonded somehow, which I didn't understand. I felt for her. I was connected in a way. She improved my living conditions quite a bit. I felt better. I felt more complete. My heart felt full. It felt good. Later on, I got a German Shepard as another companion, and that was when i discovered something more. Something happened at the job that kind of increased the stress level to maximum. Things seemed to be falling apart. It was around this time that I discovered the comfort of a hug. Oh how I love to hug now. I still don't understand how something as simple as a hug, melts all the pain away. After the mess at work was cleared up, I still enjoyed cuddling with my dog and enjoying long comfortable hugs with my horse. I confessed to myself that I was actually beginning to feel love. You can imagine the mix of emotions that I felt when I realized that I was in love with animals. Here I am, a person who had never know love in his entire life, falling in love with to beings that weren't even his specie. This was something that I couldn't talk about either. A couple years passed before I really began to accept it as a way of life. Love of animals.

Now, I have never had sex in my life. I'm not ready for that yet. But, as far as answering the question, my pets (who are my only family at this point) taught me how to love. Without them, I may have committed suicide from loneliness. I could never thank them enough.

My dear Rasply i knew when i saw your name down there viewing this thread i knew you would take the time and read this thank you. A hug can do alot to a person it really does feel good. Im so glad that you found love. If i didnt have my dogs id be so alone at night and i do cry that im alone. now with our furry companions the world feels a little brighter dont it ^_^

It is a wonderful thing, but I must admit that I still get depressed every now and then. For reasons still unknown. But the pain is weakened when I'm with my pets. It hits me when i am alone at work and I get reminded of my inability to make real friends, like the ones that would be there if your car broke down, or you needed to talk about something personal. But when i return home, it melts away with the cuddles. I just wanted to say that a thoughtful post deserves a thoughtful response. Thought is my job, so I am really good at that (sometimes a little too good) . I'm glad my two cents was worth something.

i know exactly what you mean >^_^< hugs

I need to post on here when I have more time...my cat, it turns out made some judgement calls on people in my life that I did not, and should have, made. Intense little story. While other pets may have taught you life lessons, looking back, my cat was the best indicator of what people would be good for me and what people would hurt me. And that taught me to trust HER opinion of my friends. Shocking how accurate she was too! I still bring new boyfriends around her to watch for her reaction! :lol:

That is so very true. My dog hasn't played a huge role in my well being, but I have noticed that i am not as active as i used to be when i had my dog at home. I used to go on a walk with him at least once a day every day. Since i have left home for school i do occasionally go on a hike or short walk (maybe once a week if i feel like it), but not near as much as when i had my dog. I never really thought about how my pet has affected my life. But i know now how my dog kept me healthy (i actually gained some weight in the last few years :ruck: ) and active. Without him depending on me to take him out, i am not really very motivated to get out and about.

..by the way, great post HD.

Thats exactly what i mean about my dogs. If it werent for them i would be in my room all day doing nothing they keep me busy and sane. with out them i would probably be worse than i am now.

Thats very funny Cheese lol I had a dog that didnt like men at all :P

hi horndowgs


what a great post!!! I think this is something that gets overlooked all to often.

People seem to forget what our pets do for us, how much we learn from them. I have seen so many lives touched by little balls of fur, I've seen some poeple who were ready to give up on life turn around due to the devotion and love of an pet.

I have to admit there was times in my life where i was very depressed, and one of the only things that kept me going was my pet dog. She was always there always with me, always willing to provide that unconditional love and support.

One of the big things that i have learned from some very very special female dogs i have had over the years is how to truly love, what true love really is. They have helped show me the way love should be. And in doing so i have learned to take that out and apply it to more of my life, like how i treat my friends, and how i treat others. a dogs love is completely unconditional, and if we just learn to listen to them, learn from them they help make us better lovers, better people, and most importantly they help us feel not alone, included, and most of all they make us feel loved no matter what the minor details of our lives.




Bravo for such a great post a definite 10 from me


Tundra

I know your tundra story and it is a very inspiring story :wub:

bump so others have a chance to read :)

The most important thing my girls have taught me recently is:

The stuff we clutter our lives with just distracts us from spending quality time with the ones we love.

Over the last 2 years I've gotten rid of over 2/3 of my possessions (plus a few other changes) - I don't miss any of it, I'm less stressed, and most importantly I spend a lot more time just enjoying the girls company ^_^ [B]

bump again :D

bumpies :)

Horndawgs...it wasn't until I read this post that I realized the truth in the matter. My father, like yours, became unemployed and eventually had no luck at all finding work. He became depressed and hardly ever did anything for several years. My brother and sister in law moved out into a no-pets apartment last year, and mom and dad took their little chihuahua mix. The happiest I think I can ever recall seeing dad in day to day life is just the last year or so. Despite everything going on, he is still doing a lot better than ever before...just because of that one little dog.

Excellent post, and very true to life. Thank you for taking the time to write it. It really made me think... :rock: