If there’s one thing I know about the Cup of Jo community, it’s that we love pets. Whenever a shy cat or a cuddly dog shows up on a house tour, you only have to wait three minutes for the comments to start flooding in: “But what’s the cat/dog’s name/backstory/star sign?!” So let’s talk about raising your serotonin levels and why pets are the best. Here are 11 great reader comments…
About unconditional love:
“I was young and single when I walked into a rescue, and a dog reached out of his crate, touched my hand, and changed my life forever. Dogs always look for the best in people. He got to know my niece, and she appreciated her sticky hands and discarded Nutri-Grain bars. He was the first person outside of my family to love me unconditionally. It’s still just the two of us, but I sometimes think about him meeting other people I will love in the future.” — Kate
“My family adopted a puppy, and I’m embarrassed to admit that for quite some time I didn’t like him. He bit the kids, chewed on shoes, and bullied our older dog. But slowly, he found his way into my heart, with all his flaws. The way he greeted me with his big tail wagging. The way he hugged me. The way he excitedly grabbed the leash when he thought we were taking him somewhere fun. I’m now his constant companion.” — Lindsay
On standing up for each other:
“My hamster Wilson helped me achieve my running goals during quarantine. I read that hamsters can run 5 miles at night, and I couldn’t just leave him alone. or 2020 beat me. So I ran 5 miles a day on the treadmill. When I didn’t feel like running, all I had to do was listen to Wilson’s wheels. Then I knew I had to get up and go. I finished the year with 2,039 miles.” — Rebecca
“I was working from home on a tough day and got an email saying the deal had fallen through. It was a game changer! I started crying and my pug just jumped on the couch, put his paw on my shoulder, and licked my face. It was like someone I loved telling me everything was going to be okay.” — Christine
About pets being just like us:
“I read that sniffing is like reading to dogs, so I’m happy when my dog sniffs more. Her reading warms my heart.” — Sadie
“When our puppy was two years old, I called my husband and said I thought he was sick. He had done nothing but sleep on the couch all morning for two days in a row. It just didn’t seem right for him. My husband thought about it and said, “Well, I guess we don’t have a puppy anymore. We have a dog now.” — Rachel
About consciousness:
“Our Basset mix is a cuddler who sleeps on the couch and eats bacon. Our family’s favorite nighttime ritual is watching Roy make the pillows on the couch as comfortable as possible.” — Sarah
“Every morning when I leave the house, I tell my husband I love him, I tell my dog I love him more, and I tell my cat I love him the most. Having pets is probably the best part of this happy life.” — Joanna
What we learn from our pets:
“Nancy Tillman has written wonderful books for children. Animal paradise. I read this book while I was pregnant and started crying in the middle of Costco. Years later, someone gave this book to one of my kids and I yet I can’t read it without crying, especially after losing our sweet Goldie. The quote that always sticks with me is “When an angel whispers in an animal’s ear, it’s your voice that all the animals hear.” — Jill
“I am an atheist, but this line Great documentary The words of a gruff Turkish sailor about the street cats of Istanbul ran down my spine like an electric shock: ‘God brings us closer to Him in many ways. These animals did that for me. I guess I was worthy of His love.’ — Lauren
“My husband and I read ‘I Ask Percy How to Live My Life.’ Mary Oliver “On my son’s first birthday, I emphasized why dogs are so beloved.” — Ari
I ask Percy how I should live my life.
Mary Oliver
Love, love, love, says Percy.
And hurry up as fast as you can
Along the shining beach, or along the wreckage, or along the dust.
Then go to bed.
Let go of your body heat and your beating heart.
Then believe me.
How about you? How has your pet enriched your life? I’d love to hear about it.
PS 14 Human anatomy according to my cute quarantine pet and my dog.
(Photo courtesy of MaaHoo/Stocksy.)
