What motivated you to bring a pet into your home?

Lady and Bo

Lady came into this household three years ago - just in time to get our Sheltie Sheena and Doberman Bandit moving again and enjoying the last few months of their long lives excited to explore the backyard with her. She was instrumental in getting them off their pet cushions for renewed adventure and excitement prior to going to doggie heaven! Since then, she has enjoyed being "Queen of the Castle" but it only took her 2 hours to accept Bo when I brought him home from the shelter as a fostered dog a little over a week ago.

Bo was thrown out of the back of a pick-up truck right here in Cherokee Village along with his friend, a purebred female Saint Bernard. Only about 1 year old, every rib on his body was showing and he suffered from an infection which we have cured by now. His appetite has improved and he is turning into a beautiful dog!

So bring Lady back into the equation and I am amazed how this much smaller female showed this "hunk" of a male what her rules are in the backyard! I am convinced she said to him: "Now look here, Bud! The lawn is for playing and you better not make a mess of it!" He has followed her lead - oh, what am I talking about? He follows her everywhere!

Now back to my question which I also ask myself - especially when it rains and muddy paws are all evident everywhere on the wood floor or, as it happened Saturday, when I end up with a leash wrapped around both my legs trying to give Bo a "bath" with the garden hose outside and he freaks out on me! What about when he drools and I keep rags and boxes of Puffs handy to catch it in a hurry before he shakes his head and it ends up on top of his nose? I must suffer from major empty nest syndrome! Wiping their faces and muddy noses and cleaning up after them - I must have a need to mother again - eh?

Nope! Granted, I don't relish the icky part of pet ownership but the joy they bring into our lives far outweighs all the negatives! Like this morning on the front porch: Everytime Lady got up and moved to another spot, Bo moved with her - always lying close to her. When she crawled under the redwood bench lying flat on her tummy - guess who lined up right alongside her in the same position?

Come 5 o'clock every afternoon I often turn to find two dogs sitting and staring at me - a quick reminder that it's "snackie time"! Now how do they know to the minute when it's 5? A gentle nudge to my elbow is Lady's way of saying "Mom, I need to go outside". If ever I sleep in and my husband is up before me - in her mind there is something wrong with that picture and she comes to wake me up with a cold nose on my cheek!

So, tell me about your pets and what motivates you to have them share your life with you! And, if you're pet-less, do I have a solution for you: Go visit Springriver Animal Shelter at 1531 Hwy 289 North (across from the IESI Landfill entrance) between the hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and see if you can find a little one or a big one who tugs on your heartstrings and will bring much joy to your life - if you give it a chance!