Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I read such horrible stories about people mistreating, harming, killing and just neglecting animals. Not loving them, not cherishing them, not wanting them. It makes me so sad.

I had my dogs before I had my child, for years. When I got pg, I had people tell me "You will forget about your dogs, you will see." But I knew that was not true. No way. In fact, those statements angered and insulted me. You don't know me. You apparently don't know how deep my emotions run when it comes to my pets. They are not toys to me. They are not/were not a placeholder until a human child came along. My love for my pets runs so deep and unconditional. In fact, it even hurts me sometimes inside, how much I love them, worry about them, care for them and cherish them in my life. Even when they annoy me, I love them. Even when they make a mess, I love them. Even when they exhaust me, I love them. When they do something naughty or bad, I still love them. No matter what.

This is why I write this. I love my dogs so much, they are my babies. I just enjoy seeing them walk, run or play, their little warm bodies next to me, their happiness when they are with us. We are their life. They know nothing else. They are sad when they are not with us. They are always so joyful when we return. I just love my dogs so much, more and more everyday. They are still my babies even though I have a human child. And I just am so saddened that pets are often discarded like trash or given away like pocketbooks that are out of style.

The other story I posted just made me think of all this and I just wanted to write it down. And my boy doggie just came up to me and I just melt when I see him next to me, his eyes always light up like it's Christmas morning.

Nothing better than that, unconditional love from your pet. And that is the same way I feel about them.

When they hurt, I hurt. When they are happy, I am happy. They really are my furry babies.

Please do not quote. Just feeling like putting what is in my mind into words and wondering if anyone else can relate to the deep emotions I feel for my pets.

Message edited 12/6/2012 11:55:57 AM.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I completely understand. I have a bond with my cat that I don't feel like anyone understands. I can't put it into words without sounding like a nutter so I will just say, I get it

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I get it...I don't have or want children....but I have an overwhelming love towards animals...stories of abuse & neglect really upset me....my Dh laughs at me saying I should be that upset about things that happen to people...I tell him that people can help themselves (in most cases) animals cannot.

Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I feel the same way. I'm currently pg and people ask me when I'm getting rid of my animals. My answer is when they pass away from old age. I love my fur babies. They love me, cuddle with me. Dh had a migraine last night and slept on the couch and our youngest kitty cuddled right into him and he said it made him feel better. I love my animals, couldn't imagine my life w/o them and my LO will be raised to feel the same way.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by KittyKatCopper

I get it...I don't have or want children....but I have an overwhelming love towards animals...stories of abuse & neglect really upset me....my Dh laughs at me saying I should be that upset about things that happen to people...I tell him that people can help themselves (in most cases) animals cannot.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Goobster!This is why I love ya!lol!

I could have written this myself!i have a very deep love for my dogs and I probably look crazy to some people but It is sucha deep love that I hurt so bad thinking about themnot being in mylife..I don't know how I will survive they are everything to me. They make me so happy. Bc of them, I donate like crazy to try to give other dogs a bit of what mine have

Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I can't agree more with everything you've said. My dog is my baby, and like you said, he's not a placeholder until I have a human baby. I love him more than I could have possibly imagined. He really adds so much happiness to mine and DH's lives.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Thanks for posting. I just sent my dog off to grandma's until I give birth and I was so sad! I know he would never get neglected or lost in the shuffle just because we are having kids (and I told him so lol)

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Message edited 12/4/2012 12:25:44 AM.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by strongisland

Goobster!This is why I love ya!lol!

I could have written this myself!i have a very deep love for my dogs and I probably look crazy to some people but It is sucha deep love that I hurt so bad thinking about themnot being in mylife..I don't know how I will survive they are everything to me. They make me so happy. Bc of them, I donate like crazy to try to give other dogs a bit of what mine have

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by Goobster

Posted by cateyemm

Thanks for posting. I just sent my dog off to grandma's until I give birth and I was so sad! I know he would never get neglected or lost in the shuffle just because we are having kids (and I told him so lol)

Thank you everyone.I am so so glad others can relate. I sometimes don't want to go to sleep, I just want to keep looking at them all curled up sleeping.

And it's ok. You did the right thing. My dogs stayed home when I had my DD. I actually told my DH not to stay with me overnight in the hospital so he could stay with them at night (5 days 5 nights for me, csec). My parents stayed with them during the day and my dogs were very upset with me being gone and all the random people in and out of our house. So don't worry, he would have felt the difference if you were not there anyway.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

What you wrote is perfect.
There is nothing better than getting kitty kisses or doggy kisses.
My kitty loves to curl up on me, she'll rub her face against mine which are her kitty kisses. All she wants in return is to have her ears rubbed and her chin scratched, and of course the kitty treats she loves so much.
As annoying as she can be sometimes, like eating paper and tearing ass thru the apartment, there is nothing like seeing her face at the top of the stairs where she is sitting waiting for us to get home.

I've only had cats, and they have this instinct where they know if you are not feeling well or just need some affection.

Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I read this and it brought tears to my eyes. I know exactly what you mean.

I never had my own dog until we adopted coco. Now that we have had her for over a year our feelings keep growing for this dog. When we go on vacation we wonder what she is doing. If she misses us as much as we miss her. We talk about her like she is a person.

I never thought I would be that dog person. the one who always talks about their dog. Now I get it. I never loved an animal so much.

Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Thank you for writing this. This is word for word how I feel about my dog. She has literally saved me. Words cannot describe how much love I have for her. She and my husband are my world.

Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I love this and totally agree! DH thinks I am crazy with the way I feel about my dog and sometimes I start to believe him. My dog is my baby and will still be my first baby when we have our own children!

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

You said "When they hurt, I hurt. When they are happy, I am happy." ... so very true...but also the way our babies are....when I hurt, they hurt...when I'm sad, they're sad. When I'm sick, they lay by my side to comfort me... Crap, I'm tearing up just writing that. I can't wait to go home and have them sit on me, lay next to me, make me laugh, make me cry at how cute they are...

and yes, they tick me off, but how can you not laugh when my Sam puts himself to "bed" when he knows he did something wrong?? And my Lilah is just so serious that when she does something so out of character, it makes me giggle... and when Soph is sitting on my face at 3am, I shoo her off angry that I'm now awake, but love to feel her purr when she pops back up and lays next to my side...and Sage, who hates to be picked up...loves to lay on my chest for hours while I watch tv.

So yes...I can completely relate. I don't consider my dogs and cats as pets...they are my kids... and when I read or hear about abuse, I just simply can't understand it.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Oh I totally agree with you.
Sometimes I feel like I love my cats too much... like it's just overwhelming.
The thought of them ever taking a backseat because I had a baby was just pure insanity to me.
They were my first loves- always will be.
When DD goes to bed, I cherish our cuddle time. I can't get enough of them!
It truly truly is this unconditional love!

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I totally agree with you. My love for Mia did not change when my daughter was born. In fact it grew stronger. Watching Mia with my daughter and see how patient she was just made me love her more. I knew what I had when she was here. I told Mia i loved her every day.
She has been gone two months now and I am still devistated. Not a day goes by that I do no not miss her or cry for her. She was my other child.
I hate that there are people out there who do not realize how wonderful an animal companion is. It is one of the best kind of loves.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

must be my pregnancy hormones bu tI am literally crying at my desk right now! I hope my boss doesn't walk in.....

Linus is my first son!!! I love him soooooo much! My husband actually told me the other day that he may just love Linus even more than he loves me.....and you know what I think he's right....I might be the same way too!

I also hate when friends tell me that I will be so annoyed by my dog and that I will lose my connection to him once my baby is born. There is no way that will ever happen! He is my first baby and he will always be my love! I've been trying to talk DH into transitioning Linus to his own bed so when the baby comes he won't be in our room anymore, but he refuses! I don't mind actually, my favorite thing in the world is when I wake up to Linus' head on my pillow sleeping so soundly as if he is human! SOOOOO CUTE!!!!

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by KittyKatCopper

I get it...I don't have or want children....but I have an overwhelming love towards animals...stories of abuse & neglect really upset me....my Dh laughs at me saying I should be that upset about things that happen to people...I tell him that people can help themselves (in most cases) animals cannot.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by KittyKatCopper

I get it...I don't have or want children....but I have an overwhelming love towards animals...stories of abuse & neglect really upset me....my Dh laughs at me saying I should be that upset about things that happen to people...I tell him that people can help themselves (in most cases) animals cannot.

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

I know exactly how you feel. My heart hurts I love my kitty so much... and I miss her more than words can say. Every single day. Not a day goes by that I do not think about her.

I lay in my bed at night in the deafening silence, waiting to hear her frail old paws on the hardwood floor, waiting to feel her jump on to the bed.

I see her little head at the bottom of the basement stairs, peering out of the laundry room door making sure it's "safe" to come trotting up.

I still find random whiskers in odd places, like she left them for me to find and bring me comfort.

I am both anxious and apprehensive about unboxing the christmas decorations and finding the paw print ornament I made last year with her, *knowing* it was going to be her last christmas. And it was.

I could go on but I'm starting to cry at my desk...

Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

This was so heartwarming... I really love my baby LOLA so much my heart melts everytime I look at her.. She is the love of my life .. Its so funny because I dont think I have ever yelled at her in my life.. She never does anything bad.. EVER.. I dont even think thats normal....

I have to laugh at my DD too.. Because she follows along with everything I do...almost everytime I walk past my dog I kiss her and tell her "omg i love you so much" and I hug her ... this goes on all day long.. My DD is starting to do the same exact thing to her.. she is 3.. and it kills me everytime I see her say "omg I love you so much " exactly the same way I say it with her teeth cliched..
its just so adorable..

I also have so much love for that feral cat outside in her cat house I had made for her.. This cat jumps right on my lap and snuggles up to me in my neck.. Its unbelievable .. she waits all day long for me .. never leaves my yard.. She is just the most loving cat I have ever known.. I love her to death..











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Re: Reflective thoughts...unconditional love for pets

Posted by Bearcat

I know exactly how you feel. My heart hurts I love my kitty so much... and I miss her more than words can say. Every single day. Not a day goes by that I do not think about her.

I lay in my bed at night in the deafening silence, waiting to hear her frail old paws on the hardwood floor, waiting to feel her jump on to the bed.

I see her little head at the bottom of the basement stairs, peering out of the laundry room door making sure it's "safe" to come trotting up.

I still find random whiskers in odd places, like she left them for me to find and bring me comfort.

I am both anxious and apprehensive about unboxing the christmas decorations and finding the paw print ornament I made last year with her, *knowing* it was going to be her last christmas. And it was.

I could go on but I'm starting to cry at my desk...