MY LOVE OF ANIMALS

When I was young, and people asked you: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My first recollection of a response is “a veterinarean”. I always liked taking care of animals-- and my best friend's younger brother!

There are two things I probably hate more than anything else in the world-- pet peeves if you will: 1.) People that litter and 2.) People that are mean to animals.

I sometimes watch all the nature shows and think how cool it would be to hold a baby tiger cub, to do something proactive to help endangered animals. But, here we are in 2011, and the best I can do is love my two cats, Kiko and Colita to bits!

I am a member of the World Wildlife Federation and get the token greeting cards and address labels in the mail. I am a member of the ASPCA and have some decals to show for it. And, then there are always the letters, talking about how you can help with just 50 cents a day-- way to make me feel guilty.

So, how is my love for animals evident? Well, I once set off a school alarm because my fish, yes fish, needed its medicine.  Now, bear in mind, this was not when I was a child; this was just about two years ago, as a Teacher.  Most people would have just let the fish die.  I don't think people got it.  I worried every night about the fish. I can't even go to the animal shelter without crying about how “nobody wants the old ones”.

Now I am a Science teacher, which goes hand in hand with animal care. This year we watched the metamorphosis of the butterfly. We watched it go through the stages of the life cycle-- amazing. School is over, and they are still in the chrysalis (pupa) stage. Last night I kept thinking what I was going to do with them- who was going to take care of them. I left them with the main office personnel- hope they're okay. I will be calling in two days to see how they are and make sure they are being properly cared for. When they were caterpillars (larva), a student accidentally knocked the jar down and they were just making their way up to the top of the jar to prepare to make a chrysalis. One made it back up to the top (where they are supposed to be according to the directions), and one stayed on the bottom. I was so upset. I cried. I think it's just a value for any life, no matter how small. We all play a role on this planet, so respect for all living things is a value I will definitely instill in my children.

On the other hand, animals make me happy. I can totally see how animals help people in a therapeutic way. They are non judgmental and just listen- if you need to talk. They love you if you love them.

Anybody who's ever had and loved an animal can relate. If you haven't, you may find such a love and attachment a bit overboard or strange. I can assure you, it's real, and it's wonderful- to love and be loved by an animal.