What’s Good About Having A Pet? Everything!

Animals are a real source of joy in this world, and few things are better than cozying up on a couch with a book and a purring cat in your lap.

Daily writing prompt
What is good about having a pet?
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For more than two weeks after adopting him, I still didn’t have a name for my cat.

I imagined something badass, something funny, something better than all those boring pet names. But the playful, energetic, bold little kitten in front of me was no Brasidas (my favorite Spartan), Mo (my favorite pitcher) or Timothy Cavendish. (My favorite character from David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas.)

So I kept calling him buddy while I waited for something to come to me, and then it became obvious: He is Buddy.

Original? Nah. But it describes him perfectly, and to me that’s the best part about adopting him, my first-ever pet.

We’re pals. Amigos. Chums. Accomplices. Buddies.

Buddy as he exists in his mind!

I don’t consider myself his “dad” even though I have parental, protective feelings for him. He’s my buddy who wants to be involved in everything I do, whether it’s helping me greet trick-or-treaters at the door like he did last night, batting a paw at my guitar strings to add his special touch to my recording takes, or just hanging out while I’m reading.

I knew it intuitively, but the best advice I ever got was to always remember your little friend, be it a cat or dog, has his or her own feelings.

There’s a lot of confusion around the word sentience and people often confuse it with the concept of sapience, but there is no doubt about it: mammals like cats and dogs, avian species like corvids (ravens, jays, crows and magpies), and even cephalopods like octopus are sentient.

They think. They feel. They experience emotions like joy, sadness, excitement, anxiety, love, loneliness and more, just as intensely as we do. They may not be able to articulate those feelings in words, but they’re real.

More than half a century’s worth of science has confirmed that fact at every step, and we continue to learn more about animal cognition with every advance in technology that allows us to peer deeper into their minds.

Awww, he tolerates me!

When you treat your pet with respect and keep their feelings in mind, you’ll have a friend for life.

A loyal friend whose love comes without condition.

A friend who won’t lie to you…except maybe when it comes to food. After all, Bud could win an Oscar for his role as a starving cat, even though a single glance at him confirms he’s never missed a meal.

If you’re where I was years ago and considering bringing a pet into your life, ask yourself if you’re ready for a commitment that could last two decades, if you’re ready and motivated to give an animal not just a forever home, but the best life the little one can live.

Remember that kittens and puppies grow up fast, and think about whether you’d rather have a whirlwind of energy who will wreck your sleeping habits for months, or an adult furball who is much more chill. Remember that you will have to do things you don’t like, whether it’s scooping a litter box or bagging poop on a walk. There will be expenses, scares, the occasional puked-on rug.

But the joy you’ll get, and the friendship you’ll have, will make it all worth it.

And if you’re sure, find yourself a buddy at your local shelter. Your life will be better for it.

P.S. If you’re a fool like me, you can also have fun imagining your cat or dog in absurd scenarios based on their personalities.

16 thoughts on “What’s Good About Having A Pet? Everything!”

  1. I never had a problem cleaning up after a cat or dog.Mine or someone elses. If you do, get a fish. My cat is nearing the end of his life. Vomiting is part of it.

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    1. Been there (many times). Unconditional love works both ways. You take care of them no matter what. That’s what real love is all about.
      Goddess Bless you and your beloved kitty.

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      2. To M.Thank you. My cats medical issue is complicated. He eats but when that stops it will be time. Vet is not sure how much time. She said maybe a year. Maybe more. Hard to say. The strange thing is he was never clingy. He does not sit in his chair but sleeps with me every night.

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    2. Of course, but it’s worth mentioning so people know what they’re getting into. A lot of people see photos of kittens in baskets on Facebook or Instagram, and they don’t even consider the responsibilities of caring for a living creature.

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      1. I know but humanity is a dumb species. I heard people put thier dying pets in hospice care. Those who do are pos. Suck it up or do not get a pet. Never in a million years would i have left my dying cats side. Before i adopted my current cat i took on a hospice cat. It was not fun but its not supposed to be fun. Every cat that was put to sleep i was traumatized. And i will be again.

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      2. I hear you, but it’s amazing how big our hearts are. There’s always enough love in our hearts for another little life, isn’t there?

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  3. Cats have the added ability of being able to manipulate and communicate though actions, meows and looking extra cute. And I fall for it every time !

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  6. I like the way you distinguish between sentience and sapience. It’s a concept I’ve long understood intuitively, but have never been able to articulate it clearly. Thank you for your insight.

    I laughed when I read that “Bud could win an Oscar for his role as a starving cat, even though a single glance at him confirms he’s never missed a meal.” You need to know that he would face tough competition for the Oscar from Malteser and Caramel – I’m writing this at 9:30am, and both of them have already visited twice this morning in pursuit of breakfast. They did not leave disappointed!

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