Lost

Practically every family who has pets has had the experience of discovering one is missing.  A traumatic experience especially if the pet “belongs” to one of the children. Little Jingle Bells, a loving little black and brown kitty, was missing for two and a half days from a home where a camera had recorded pictures of coyotes and foxes at night. The likelihood of a disastrous ending for this beloved pet cast a pall over the family until toward the end of the third day, when she announced her return with loud meows. Her eleven-year-old master was overjoyed. Maybe a prompt bowl of cat food and lots of loving attention from the entire family will curb her wanderlust. Or maybe not, but the entire family grew in their understanding of how valuable a life is no matter how small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The children grew a deeper appreciation for the fact every life is valuable and irreplaceable.

With that knowledge comes thoughtfulness, carefulness, and a nudge toward wisdom for the decisions we make and the actions we take. Pets in a home are worth the messiness, the work, and the trouble because they provide important values and lessons. Pets in a home teach unconditional love, responsibility, and thoughtfulness. For those qualities, a pet has earned whatever it takes to care for them properly with grateful hearts of love.