This post is sponsored by Petcurean.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, I despised animals. I never wanted a dog or a cat. I thought they were a nuisance who sniffed bums and carried mud through the house.
About six years ago, my children asked for a dog. Knowing my feelings about animals, they still had the desire to have a pet of their own and who was I to begrudge them? We purchased Maddie, a purebred cocker spaniel that won my heart over. Maddie was my shadow and my bystander as the children entered their teen years. She would never leave me and made me appreciate the simple things in life. Maddie had a heart condition and we had to put her down at the age of four. It broke my heart.
After two months of having no dog in the house, I was practically stir crazy. The angst of having two teenagers in the house was overwhelming with the bickering and fighting. I no longer had a furry friend who seemed to make it all disappear when times were tough.
Then came Chloe. She’s a mixed breed; Cocker spaniel and King Charles. She’s bouncy and flouncy and a little more demanding than Maddie ever was……..but she loves like no other dog I’ve ever encountered. She’s constantly wagging her tail and show appreciation for everything we do for her. She doesn’t need to talk, she just articulates her appreciation well. Dogs are non-judgmental and are always forgiving. Dogs make us humans step back to appreciate the little things in life that we simply do not take the time to appreciate.
Would I ever go without an animal again? Never…….they are much better than any self help book available in stores.
Savour Every Moment is a new short film, which debuted during the prestigious 2013 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film invites us into the world of our pets to help us rediscover and appreciate the simple joys of life.