***Just...an Animal**

~~Okay...I am an admitted 'animal lover.' I love most of the animals I have had the priviledge of knowing. Of course, there are millions (billions) of species I know very little about. That being said, what I do know of the animal world allows me to realize that all creatures on this earth are 'wonderfully, and miraculously made,' just as we humans are. There are many animals that the average person only gets to read about, or observe behind a wall, like at a zoo or other public preserve. Even so, learning about their specific traits, their primitive instincts, and the behaviors and habits that allow them to survive on the earth, allows me to 'know' and appreciate them from afar. Finally, there are the animals that we get to know 'really well,' our family pets. I know there are many people who never had a pet growing up, and also those who have opted to never own a pet as an adult. I know there are alot of reasons to not own a pet, a dislike or fear of animals, lack of funds, allergies, etc. I guess, based on my own life-long experience with many family pets, I wish everyone could have the opportunity, and the pleasure, of owning one. Through our lives we interact, on a daily basis, with our fellow humans. We are loved, we are needed, we are sometimes disliked and sometimes not appreciated. We are here, they are someplace else. There is a both a give and take in our relationships, a mutual interdependence. This is life and this is good. We are able to have a different sort of bond with our pets. We are here, they are here. We give them love, and they accept...most all of the time. We are in a good mood, they are happy and give us kisses. We are in a bad mood, they are still happy and give us kisses! Although there are some human relationships which are amazing examples of unconditional love, not many are as consistantly, and predictably loyal as are those with our pets! So, Bobby dog, when I think of you stealing, and running a mile down the streets of Wesleyville with the neighbor's raw rib roast, I will only smile, and remember your fuzzy kisses. Likewise, I will always remember Lad's loyal and endearing look, as he perched himself in front of me. Bear, you big, loveable dog, I will try NOT to remember how many times you have run away, instead remembering the time you dragged yourself home, in a blizzard, after being hit by a car! You looked at me with eyes that I will never forget. Hopefully Bear, you will be 'driving us crazy' for years to come! Just an animal? I think not!