I know we can all relate to this

[RebelOne]

Received this in an e-mail today.

IF I DIDN'T HAVE ANIMALS

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like the kennels .

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree -- dog bones, stuffed animals , nor would I have to answer to people why I wrap them.

I would not be on a first-name basis with three veterinarians.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, or W-A-L-K.

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog ties them down too much.

I'd think of spring and the melting of snow as mud season.

I would not have to answer the question Why do you have so many dogs/animals from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How empty my life would be.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. If I didn't have cats

I wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night teetering on the edge of the bed while the cats, who have magically expanded to the size of water buffalos, occupy all the rest of it.

I wouldn't find sparkly balls in my shoes.

I wouldn't find clumps of fur all over my dark clothes.

I'd be able to have real house plants instead of artifical ones.

I'd be able to leave a stick of butter on the kitchen counter unattended for more than 5 minutes.

I wouldn't find mouse heads on my living room floor.

I wouldn't have to deal with the consequences of midnight games of turd hockey.

And I wouldn't have a couple of cuddly, furry guys warming my feet on cold evenings.

Couldn't live without 'em...

[Grateful for Hope]

2. So true!

Let me add:

I wouldn't be greeted at night when I get home from work with glares (but also with lots of leg rubs).

I wouldn't feel like I have a body made of velcro that attracts little furry critters who just want to make sure they know what I am doing at all times -- especially when I am in the bathroom.

I also would not know the joy of being loved so unconditionally that I can get up in the morning looking like "something the cat dragged in (oops, no pun intended)", and be the recipient of so much cat ecstasy that I am FINALLY up.

Our animals are definite gifts, and I have to say that I am very, very grateful for these very wise and very loving little critters.


:loveya: