Animals have been a central component of my family since I could walk. Our family dog, Ducky, was the first pet I ever had, and funnily enough, she and I were born in the same year. She was a part of our family until she was about 13, and it was at that same age I experienced the inconsolable loss of a pet.
Following Ducky, our family got two Blue Heeler puppies, Sam and Jake. Sam was a red heeler, while Jake was blue, and the two of them were my world. We lost Sammy when he was about 8, but thankfully, Jake was with us until he was almost 13. Losing Jake was honestly one of the hardest experiences I have ever endured, as it was for our family.
We waited a little while after Jake to bring new dogs into the family again. This time, we welcomed three; Blue, a blue heeler; Remi, a blue heeler; and her sister, Finn, a red heeler. Taking on three heelers in a span of a couple of months was a little intense at times, but not that they’re out of the puppy phase, things have calmed down a slight bit – calm is not a commonly used phrase when owning Australian cattle dogs.
Blaine and I share our lovely dog, Lenny, who is half Blue heeler. She is a rescue, and we also have two rescue cats; Lionel, who is 10, and Timmy, who is just over a year. On the topic of cats, my parents have four; Bean, who is nine; Peach and Otis, who are about five; and Sully, who is seven, I think. My sister had three pet goats as well, although sadly they are no longer with us – Jackson, Calleigh and Maggie.
I struggle to put into words what animals do for those who own them, and unless you’re a pet owner yourself, I’m not sure you can relate to the utter privilege it is. The unconditional love that is offered to us by animals is beyond anything we mere humans deserve, and despite the heartbreak that occurs when they leave this world, the pain is worth their presence each and every time.
Photo by Caleb Fisher on Unsplash
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