The transformative power of pets
If you’ve ever come home after a challenging day, knowing that no matter what happened, your dog will greet you with a wagging tail and a loving nuzzle, then you understand the powerful role pets can play in transmitting the feeling of unconditional love. I’ve had direct experiences with dogs, but people can form connections with a wide variety of animals—cats, birds, snakes, hamsters, horses, turtles, and beyond.
The Multifaceted Rewards of Animal Companionship
The benefits of having animals in our lives are multifaceted. Pets can teach us responsibility and how to show up and care for another living being. Animals can also reflect to us things we are working on in our own paths, inspiring us to cultivate patience, discipline, and awareness. Rescued animals, in particular, often present an even deeper challenge. Having been through trauma, they require greater understanding, patience, compassion, and dedication to retraining, as well as creating a nurturing environment that contrasts with their past experiences.
What we do for ourselves, we do for others, and vice versa. Being of service to animals in this way extends the care in our hearts, reverberating back to us and those around us.
The Emotional Alchemy of Animal Interaction
Have you ever seen someone who’s disheartened brighten and lighten up simply by the approach of a loving, innocent animal? I most certainly have. It’s both humorous and amazing how a sweet animal can lift even the most begrudging person into a state of joy and playfulness.
Lessons in Mindfulness and Growth
Raising and giving a home to an animal can also provide perspective on the process of growth. Jack Kornfield, an esteemed meditation teacher, suggests that a helpful approach to mindfulness meditation is similar to “training a puppy.” In meditation, we bring the mind back to the moment with gentleness and presence, just like we train a puppy. If we are too harsh or rigid, the puppy becomes traumatized or rebellious. We are this way with ourselves too. Therefore, the process of training a puppy—or any animal that needs training—reminds us of which approaches truly promote growth in a supportive, non-shaming way.
The Unconditional Love of Pets
For some people, sharing space with the unconditionally loving presence of an animal feels much safer than being with humans. There is power in the connection we experience when we know that our pet loves and accepts us regardless of our mistakes, thoughts, feelings, addictions, or fears. They love us exactly as we are, without requiring us to be anything else.
The Emotional Journey with My Rescue Dog
When I reflect on the love, joy, and silliness my own rescue dog has brought into my life, I feel a lump in my throat and tears stream down my face. Her unconditional love encourages me to practice the same for her. However, despite being unconditionally loving, she is also highly neurotic and traumatized from her past, which makes certain situations difficult for her. This requires my patience, understanding, wisdom, and humor—and yes, I lose my temper at times. It’s definitely a practice. Still, I knew she was the right dog for me because, when I saw her face, I felt inspired to act. I applied for her, adopted her, and now experience all that her presence brings. She’s my trusty companion on hikes, at parks, on trips—anywhere I can bring her. It makes me smile to see others in my life also enjoying the companionship of pets.
The Responsibility of Pet Ownership
It’s important to assess whether you’re at the right stage of your life to truly provide a pet with a refuge. Pet ownership requires responsibility and stability. I’ve worked with many young people who adopted pets too early and later had to return them to a shelter or rehome them. While this article is focused on the benefits of having a pet, it’s equally important to consider whether you’re ready to offer a loving sanctuary and commit to the responsibilities that come with it.
A Heartfelt Thank You to My Pets
Whether you’ve experienced a special bond with a pet or not, these relationships offer care, companionship, joy, healing, and many other lessons. I suppose this is my thank-you letter to my pets, past and present, for the upliftment they’ve brought to my life.