PETS

They’re family. Pets add so much color and vibrancy to our lives. They make us laugh, encourage us to exercise and play, snuggle with us on tough days and completely steal our hearts. Loving a pet until their last day is a privilege. I had the honor of loving my pups Shiloh and Chops from the time they were babies until we said goodbye when they were 15 and 17 years old, respectively. I have learned so much as their mom and continue to learn as I begin a new adventure as foster parent.

One thing I know with absolute certainty is that every pet is a unique individual, and how you care for them should reflect their special needs and preferences. It’s important to teach them safe and healthy behavior, but we want to make sure they are also free to be themselves without pressure to conform to our expectations of who we want them to be. In the same way that some people are extraverts and others are introverts, and still others are a mix of the two depending on the situation, not every animal loves interacting with other animals or socializing with new people. The things they find fun, scary, exiting and yummy will differ from pet to pet. I believe the greatest gifts we can give the pets we love are patience and compassion.

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