The Philosophy of Pets

National Pet Day isn't nearly enough recognition for the wisdom our pets pass on to us ... if only we listen!

If I had plenty of money, my home, yard, patio — and most of all my heart — would be chock-o-block full of animals. I’d love to have at least one dog, a couple more cats, some cute goats, a pond full of koi. Speaking of ponds, I’d have a lake, too, to attract ducks, turtles, fish, and osprey.

Animals we keep near and dear get called a lot of names: “pets,” “fur-family,” “fur-kids,” “rugrats,” “companions” … I just call them my best friends.

Not doggin’ (yes, pun intended) on my human friends, it’s just that, well, if you have a beloved “pet” — you know what I mean. Your special pet just “gets” your moods. (Unless you’re trying to sleep.) He or she may demand constant care, but in return gives constant love (unless he or she is a cat and then it depends on their mood.) I don’t think pets are ever false — they’re just too true to pretend.

When you ugly-cry, they totally disregard your snotty whimpers and go right in to sniff your face and offer whiskery comfort.

When you’re excited, they’re excited.

When you need to work, they try to get you to play.

Yeah, some humans do all that too, but pets do it without advice, judgement, questions, or trying to “make it better.” They just love on you.

I grew up in a house-ful of cats, usually a dog, and always nearby — a couple of horses.

Like so many children of the 60s, we also had a goldfish or two. Followed by a turtle. Graduating to a guinea pig. But dogs and cats and horses were constants.

It wasn’t until I lived on my own, though, that my relationships with animals deepened to the point of intimacy, fierce respect, understanding, and true unconditional love.

There was a teacher-student relationship between me and my pets, and I’m sure you can guess who was teaching whom.

If only I’d heeded their simple, clear, but profound animal wisdom, I wouldn’t have floundered away so much of my energy and time on complicated, confused, and superficial human egotism.

If only I’d believed this bit of feline philosophy when I was younger:

Believe you’re the cat’s meow and so will everyone else.

And why haven’t I ever adopted the universal dog mantra?

Joy! Joy! Happy! Happy! Yes! Yes!

And then there’s the fundamental core belief of horses — the one that allows them to let someone strap a saddle around their torso, put an iron bit in their mouth, hoist a full body weight onto their backs, — and still, magnificently, horses never feel less than, downtrodden, or subjugated.

My indomitable Mom on her indomitable horse.

Because horses understand that being of service doesn’t diminish one’s personal freedom or nobility. It’s actually quite the opposite:

When you serve with a true heart, unclouded by manipulation or thoughts of a desired outcome — when you help others get from point A to point B in whatever way you can simply because you can and because you are willing — you’ll move through life with the regal posture of a horse: with dignity, self-respect, and an indomitable free-spirit.

And, while not technically “pets,” the birds that live in my yard, observing them has taught me absolutely amazing things:

When hurricane winds are whipping around you, turn to face what’s coming. Take a stance of personal strength and lean in.

When the rain’s pouring down and drenching you from beak to talon, hunker down and wait for drier weather.

But when the sun’s shining, take every opportunity to forage, sip water, flit among the trees, feed the ones you love, and warm your wings.

And above all else, sing, sing, sing.

Give your pets and beloved creatures some special love tomorrow, April 11 — National Pet Day!