All walks of lives matter

 

“To that which you tame, you owe your life”.
― Stacey O'Brien

 

 

As I give my kitty, Raven Roo, her favorite treat on a saucer while sitting on her pillow throne, I think to myself, in a perfect world everyone would be treated the way I believe my animals should be treated. Oh, to be that cherished!

 

This column is somewhat of a continuation of my last column because it is my whole heart and I believe an important message. All walks of life matter.

 

I try to do my part and raise a few monarchs butterflies every year. This year I raised one, who I knew would never fly. Her beautiful wings were damaged. Others that raise butterflies may euthanize them in this case. If they are not suffering, I feed them and give them a beautiful garden and everything that could make their little hearts smile for the short time they are on this earth. It may be a short life, but it’s THEIR ONLY life. We all only get ONE LIFE, NO DO-OVERS!!

If you take an animal into your life, I believe you are obligated to make a commitment to do the best you can for them.

 

I recently had a client of an unknown name that kept calling her dog ‘stupid.’ She just wanted something magical to happen without putting any effort forth and ended up surrendering the dog to a shelter. Being on the board of Muskegon Humane, I see this happen way too often.

 

We are our pets only connection to absolutely everything. They cannot eat, drink, or go potty without us. Can you imagine what that would be like? Can you imagine spending every day waiting for any crumb of attention to be given to you?  If I were a dog or cat and I was not given the daily stimulation or food I needed to make me feel good, had an imbalance or allergies, I would act out too. There have been numerous studies done on how the imbalance of microflora (gut health) can affect behavior. Can you imagine how you would feel if you always had an upset tummy or were itchy?

 

As Christmas approaches, I often warn against giving pets as gifts or impulse buying a puppy for under the tree. It is so important to research your breed and be ready for lifetime commitment. If you don’t have time for daily LONG walks and enrichment, don’t get a Labrador puppy. If you cannot commit to that, get an older, senior, low energy breed or a kitty. However, they still require love and care.

 

Ultimately, if you cannot commit to give them your all, please don’t get a pet. A pet is not a purchase or a THING, but a LIFE of no less value than your own.

Research what kind of pet, and what age would be best for your lifestyle. Everybody thinks that puppies are the cutest, but what responsibilities come with those pooping, peeing, chewing puppies? What would happen if we didn’t research and couldn’t handle the energy that they require? We are creating a problem for someone else when that pet ends up in a shelter.

 

At any given time, 28,000,000 pets are suffering from cognitive disease because their minds are not engaged, they are not given the walks and the enrichment that is so needed. This being the only life that pet has, who are we to deny them the best?

 

If we choose fast food or unhealthy food, that is our choice.

Our pets don’t get to choose. If we don’t research the fresh whole food that their body craves, we are denying them. When feeding your pet, the inappropriate kibble that advertises omegas, when in all actuality there is barely a pinch, we are essentially allowing them to live on McDonalds. Their body craves what they need and cannot provide for themselves. We need to do our homework!

 

I believe it is our responsibility to read, research, and provide what that animal needs and they are lacking nutritionally, physically, and emotionally. They deserve the best to enhance their all too short of lives.