Adopting a pet

February 27, 2012

Washington, Iowa

To the Editor:

People who know me are aware that all my life I have been involved with animals, especially pets.

Whenever I?m enjoying a conversation with friends, sooner or later someone says, ?I would love to have a dog or a cat, but it would be so unfair to them because I work during the day and sometimes go out in the evening.?

For anyone who really feels that way I would like to suggest, ?Put yourself in the place of the animal. Which would you prefer ? to be in a shelter, fed and cared for, walked a few times daily, left in the cage when the care-givers leave for the night ? or be adopted and loved and learn to love a person who cared enough to give you a chance??

When you make any change in your life, you must make plans, think it through. The people at the shelter are more than ready to help you with the plans. Ask for their help. They will help you to plan a safe, clean, loving space for you and a friend. Most doctors will tell you that high blood pressure will probably be lowered ? the calming effect of returning home to be met by a tail-wiggling happy dog or a fluff-ball of a cat rubbing against your ankle and telling you in ?meow? talk ?I?m glad you are home.?

How am I so certain about this? I am 87 years old, worked away from home most of my life, usually had both dogs and cats. I can no longer walk a dog, but I am so happy I can still have a cat who tells me all the time how happy he is.

Try it. I think you will like it.

Cecelia Fenton