Is it possible to love an animal?

4/17/2010 | Krankor

[Natural Born 54]

Beautiful dog.

[Natural Born 54]

This photo was taken the day Ben discovered the joys of digging, the evidence of which is visible on his snout. How could you not love such a face?

[MarkL]

Is it possible to actually "love" an animal- like a cat or dog? Any Freepers love their pet?

I know for a fact that I am able to love an animal. When I was growing up, I grew up with a cat, and I was about 8 or 9 when he died. I was devastated, and cried for days. To this day I've loved many other pets, but never as strongly as that first.

And I know that many animals give unconditional love to their humans. When my mother was getting her chemotherapy treatments for cancer, we had this big, tough tom cat who would become her little baby. He'd climb into her lap as she was reclining, put a paw on either side of her neck, and nuzzle her under her chin, and just lay there for as long as she needed him. When my mother died, he never understood where "his mommy" went, and he pined for weeks, eventually running away from home. I have no doubt that he loved her, and when he ran away, I felt that I lost a very important connection to my mother. I still feel bad about it to this day, and it's been almost 25 years.

[Krankor]

Ben’s a cutie and obviously very intelligent- he knows to stop digging long enough to get his picture took.

[Natural Born 54]

You’re right - he’s too smart sometimes.

[Miztiki]

Ditto.

My pets are my family. They are all I have.

[proudofthesouth]

Of course I love my dog and cat. I think of them as my kids and really do believe that they understand what I say. You should have seen the look on my dog’s face the other day when I asked him why he was digging he the dirt. I could swear he thinking “What a stupid question. I’m a dog, its what I do!”

BTW, I truly believe that we will see our beloved pets in Heaven. I don’t think that Father God would separate us for eternity.

[Krankor]

What an angelic face- but I have a feeling Yorkzilla is a real troublemaker. Ha! Ha!

[Natural Born 54]

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

I've always had a cat or three around since I was a little tike. We have always gotten along just fine as they seem to recognize me as a "cat person". Over the years I've had two cats that have bridged a gap and accepted me as another funny looking cat. What's not to love?

My current cat, Jasper, is a Ragdoll and is one cool dude. He understands and responds to spoken English phrases.

Regards,
GtG

[Krankor]

Aww. What a photogenic trio!

[07Jack]

I absolutely love my pets. My wife and I are often ridiculed by family & friends for our devotion to our animals. Our Dalmatian (Dylan) who passed away at age 13 was one of the finest living beings I've encountered in my life. We currently have a Belgian Malinois who is our son & daughters best friend. On Easter Sunday we lost another pet that was dear to us but misunderstood by most people. This is Bill, a Spectacled Caiman, who was a wonderful pet for 25 years. He was only 5 inches when I first purchased him while in college back in 1985. He was over six feet long when he died two weeks ago after suffering a stroke. Bill was a part of our daily lives for 25 years and we miss him dearly.

[Krankor]

What a sweetheart! By any chance, you didn’t spray Coco with Pledge and then skim her across that wooden floor?

[Biggirl]

Yes, I have five cats! =^..^=

[boatbums]

yes...I would say I love my kittehs. They are sweet, good natured, affectionate and worth every minute and dime we've spent on them. They light up our day and comfort us. They seem to know when we need our space and when we need a cuddle. Always ready with a purr, a lick and a "love nip". My hubby's and my life would have a missing part in it if not for our babbies. We both sensed the emptiness there was during the time between having to put our sweet Emily to sleep and welcoming Stella - only a few months - but the difference was palpable. We got another sweetie, named Beaux, about three years after that and love their company. Here are my sweetie pies:

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

THAT is just PRECIOUS!

That pupster is also protecting her!!!

Nobody better get near her.

[BCR #226]

LOL... oh yeah. We had a party here year before last. One of our friends came with his daughters and they wanted to see the dog next door. Oakley is a nice dog and loves kids but holy cow!!! Max ran him off and herded the girls back from the edge of the yard. He loves kids and will protect them all. You don’t dare discipline a child in front of him unless you really want to bleed.

When it comes to my daughter though... he has a zero tolorance policy to any kind of endangerment to her. Right now, she’s sick and he’s goes over and checks on her every half hour or so. She pushes him away as she’s cranky right now but he takes it in stride and goes back to the couch to keep an eye on her until he gets up to check again... LOL.

[boatbums]

Just for you! :o)

[Fawn]

I love mine enough where I don’t care if I go to heaven if they are not there. I do everything I can for them...

[Fawn]

Congratulations; it will never be able to comprehend that sacrifice.

Neither would parents with alzheimers or siblings that are retarded.