Something catastrophic happens, and your pet dies or gets seriously injured. You are devastated and seek comfort from friends or family. And then you encounter that one person that says, “It’s just a pet!”. Taking everything yourself to not slap them silly, you attempt to keep your composure and excuse yourself gracefully.
If this has happened to you, know you are not alone, and it has happened to me too. What I’d like to say is, “Excuse me? My pets are my family, period.”
Pets are my Family
Our pets deserve our love. Being an animal lover and pet parent means opening my home to these lovable beings with four legs and fur. Although animals understand a different form of communication, they all speak the language of love.
Many pets know what it means to be loved by humans. They are an invaluable part of our lives. They respond accordingly based on how we treat them. So for anyone that loves pets like family as I do and for those who don’t quite understand this love, this post is for you.
11 reasons why I consider pets my family
1.My pet is my trusted best friend. They have shared the most important and pivotal milestones of my life. From deaths to marriage, they have been with me through it all.
2. They are my protectors. Although they are small, my pets are fearless to defend me if they sense I’m under duress or threatened.
3. Pets are super bright and adapt. Honestly, I’d venture to say pets are even more intelligent than many humans. Yes, I said it! Common sense is a rarity nowadays.
4. They are such pure souls with no ill intent. It’s comforting and reassuring to have a tireless loving soul looking out for me with those big eyes.
5. When I get home each day, my pet greets me at the door with excitement. It is a good feeling to be missed and loved. I return the favor with lots of hugs and belly rubs that show my appreciation and love in return.
6. Having pets in the house is what helps make it a home. My pets share our living space, even when friends and extended family gather there. They are just as important to me.
7. I share my downtime with my pets. I enjoy relaxing and laying low with my furry family members. Indulging in romantic comedies and thrillers suits us just fine.
8. Although my pets know how to survive on their own, I take responsibility for their well-being. Their health is an integral part of their overall happiness. I do my best to give them nutritious food, playtime, and annual vet visits. My role in their life is just like that of a function of a parent to a child.
9. Animals understand grief too. When a family member dies, our pets understand, and they also grieve. While they grieve, they also comfort us in our grief selflessly.
10. Pets comfort us in times of sadness and aid us in daily life. From blind seeing dogs to anxiety therapy pets, they have a great capacity and talent to help humans beyond emotional support.
11. Last and most importantly, pets are the prototype of unconditional love you cannot duplicate. They are the benchmark for what real love without limits looks like.
Conclusion
To conclude, those are 11 reasons why I consider pets my family. They are not just cute, sweet animals that live with us; they are an extension of our family. I love them with the same intensity that I love my family and treat them with the same respect. It is reassuring to know that I have their loyalty in return because Lord knows we don’t’ deserve them.
Our pets help us exude the best version of ourselves.
Do you consider your pets family? Did reading this post change your perspective about pets’ impact on the family? Did any of these points resonate with you? Would you add anything to the list? In what ways does your pet show they care?
Lastly, share your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to pin and share with a friend.
Don’t forget to check out my other popular posts below if you enjoyed this post.
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PIN ME!
18 Comments
Michelle & The Paw Pack
You’re preaching to the choir here! My pets are 100% members of my family – for all the reasons you listed, and more 🙂
Admin
😉 Ha!! I know you get it!
Dorothy "FiveSibesMom"
Oh, I *SO* agree, Kamira! My pets have always been such a big part of my family since I was a child! My FiveSibes I dubbed “the kids!” I never could understand if someone welcomes a pet into their home, why not treat them as they are – family! With the passing of my last Husky, Wolfie, my home feels so much emptier and quieter (even with two human grandkiddos living here). The love and close bond we shared, is something I will hold dear forever. <3 Great post. Pinning to share.
Admin
Dorothy,
I agree and I hear you! I totally agree. Ever since Dusty passed the house doesn’t feel like a full home. It feels more “normal” when we have fosters (paws) in the house. Our pets are family and definitely make a house a home. xo Thank you for sharing!
Terri
I couldn’t agree with you more. My animals have always been my family. Sometimes they have been more my family than my human family. You nailed this one!!!
Admin
Terri,
Thank you and I couldn’t agree more! I can testify to that too!
Paula
Absolutely! Pets are family and we love our pets so very much and want to give them the best life possible. I have always had pets and I can’t imagine a life without a pet to come home to or hang out with when I am at home.
Admin
Paula,
I feel the same way! They definitely make a house a home!
Marjorie at Dash Kitten
Some people have such a hard attitude to their pets, they must have ‘something’ missing from their minds. I don’t mean working dogs who lead practical lives but people who leave dogs out to freeze in the cold or abandon cats to die outside. They are evil.
How could you with a clear conscience so anything other than embrace your pet 100% as a member of your family to be loved and cared for? How could you not walk across hot coals to keep your pet safe. They are vital for our wellbeing and have strong degrees of empathy they ARE family.
Admin
Marjorie,
I agree! I could not say it any better!
Ruth Epstein
Layla is my baby, my child and if someone does not agree I do not want to know them. She showers me with unconditional love, makes me laugh, gets me out of the house and so much more. My Mom even calls her her grandpup.
They are family, we adopt them to share our lives with them, and those that dump their pets in my eyes are not good parents to their children either.
My life would be empty without a pet
Admin
Ruth,
I feel the same about my two angel cats. They were my fur kids. My closest friends even remarked “Kamira you were such a good (cat) Mom to Dusty. You took such good care and provision for her, better than some parents to humans” That’s saying a lot! Out pets are our family. My Mom used to do the same as your Mom…grandkids!
Nikki
My pups are definitely part of the family, and I think probably the biggest reason I got a dog was for that companionship, love, and connection. They are truly pure and loving souls without judgement. <3
Admin
Nikki,
Yes indeed. They are the definition and respresentation of unconditional love 100%.
jana rade
My dogs are part of our family, always had been. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that everybody ought to do so, but everybody ought to give their pets the best life they can regardless. Because they didn’t choose to be part of our lives–it was our choice. And with that choice comes responsibility.
Admin
Jana,
That is a key point. Out pets are our responsibility and it is a lifelong commitment.
Beth
I grew up with dogs and have always considered our pets to be family! I believe the majority of people feel the same way about their pets.
Admin
Beth,
I feel the same. Unfortunately, I have encountered folks who will dispose of their pets as soon as they “inconvenience” their lifestyle. It’s such a shame, but it happens. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it.