I feel that sometimes we take our relationships with our
companion animals for granted. This feeling comes over me mostly when I am
lying quietly by myself and my very timid, rescued Siamese kitty comes to
me and snuggles in deeply, purring with pleasure. What must it take for
her to trust me so completely? How does an animal learn to trust a species
so different from his own, especially when members of that other species
has abused, neglected or abandoned them in the past?
It's not natural for animals of different species to
really love each other. Sure, sometimes in nature they learn to co-exist,
such as squirrels and blue jays who live in our backyards. They tolerate
one another, they learn not to be fearful of one another, but they don't
sleep together, eat together, carry one another around in their paws or
offer their soft underbellies for petting.
What a privilege! What an honor it is to be so trusted and
so loved by an animal. Animals, for the most part, are very forgiving of
our trespasses and usually show an eagerness to move past such wrongdoings
as a bath, a pedicure, an ear cleaning or an abbreviated play time. They
want to love us, they want to be with us and all they ask is a chance to
interact with us and be our friend.
Admittedly, dogs are much quicker than cats to offer their
love and affection. Cats have to see that we are worthy of their
friendship and every day I have to prove it over and over again. But my
reward for earning her trust is a bond so deep and impenetrable that we
often forget that there once was a time when humans and animals were
natural enemies.
Of course, we are still natural enemies of most of the
world's animals. We certainly need to work on that some more.
Despite years and years of co-habiting with cats, I still
feel a surge of pleasure and contentment when I wake up in the night and
find that my kitty has joined me and is sleeping contentedly by my side or
on my pillow. I cherish those moments and find it hard to fall back asleep
because I want to savor the moment and take advantage of the quiet
communion between us. My life is so much richer for having my companion
animals in it. I can't imagine, really, how people without them struggle
through their days!
So when I hear the tired old accusation that animal
rightists are trying to turn us into a nation of people without household
pets, I feel sad to be so misunderstood. When Wayne Pacelle recently moved
to the head of the class, so to speak, when he accepted a position as
President of the HSUS, the newspapers were full of admonitions to "enjoy
your pets while you can" because, ostensibly, he's an animal rights
activist who believes that people should not own pets. I don't know where
or when this obvious fabrication started, who started it and why, but it's
a nuisance to have to deny it over and over again. The PETA calendar, year
after year, frequently includes photos of rescued animals who have gone to
live with this Peta worker or that Peta worker. But I guess cold, hard
evidence is considered a moot point if it does not further the lies of
those who claim to have allied themselves in order to protect the
"interests" of animals.
As I work at my desk day after day I am accompanied by my
three rescued cats, a retired greyhound and a puppy who will someday be
the next "Hospice Hound." I believe in the rights of animals and I believe
in sharing our homes with companion animals and I can say with 100%
certainty that I am not alone.
Go on to California
Assembly Passes Bill To Ban Foie Gras
Return to 29 August 2004 Issue
Return to Newsletters
** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material, use of which has not been
specifically authorized by the copyright owners. I believe that this
not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the
copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your
own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.
