Neighborhood Pet Circus

We have a lot of dogs and cats in our immediate neighborhood. When Tom and I are out walking, we're very often greeted by barks from little dogs and big dogs, stuck behind chain-linked fences. All of them are pretty loud in their early morning hellos, and when they tire of barking at us, they run around their yards barking at each other.

Just the other day I came across this article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel about another neighborhood full of pets. Dan Harper, the writer, says, "If you want to love your neighbors, you'd better love their pets." And he then goes on to describe his neighborhood as a pet circus. One he and his wife, apparently, enjoy watching but not actually participating in. They do not own any pets.

Harper's article is both funny and informative. The reality of how we pet people like to treat our dogs and cats like royalty, sometimes, isn't new, but can be interesting. As Harper says, "I suspect the legions of dogs and cats that walk, bark, and purr among us think we're better people than we are." And isn't that the point? Our pets love us no matter what!

I especially like the article here at Pet Well Being that talks about how pets teach us things like: (1) loyalty, and (2) being together is better than not being together, and (3) how to forgive, among many other things.

All of this is relevant because we're smack in the middle of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, sponsored by the Humane Society of the U.S. "In the spirit of celebrating animal shelters for the tireless work they do throughout the year, November 1-11th seems fair. Please take the time over the next several days to show your appreciation to a local animal shelter."

Me, I'm going to visit and support PINC, pets in need clinic, by a local veterinarian who cares for pets in families that have lost jobs or are so badly affected by this recession, they can't afford vaccinations for their pets. She invites them to stop by her veterinary offices and she gives free exams and vaccinations. (after they fill out a few forms - to keep things honest and open, of course)

What will you do to help out during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week?