People think I'm weird. Well, they think I'm weird for a number of reasons, but a lot of people think I'm weird because I care about animals. To be specific, a lot of times I feel worse for animals than I do for humans in similar situations.
For me, pets and children are very similar. They are both innocent and completely dependent on others for survival. Therefore, when either one is hurt by those who take care of them, I feel very sad. That is why, if I see an animal being hurt on television, I am more likely to cry than if I see a full grown adult human being hurt. The animals have no control over their situation, whereas, nine times out of ten, the person does.
On top of that, dogs, specifically, are so sweet. They don't care who you are or what you have done, they still love you. They never turn their backs on you and it is really hard to get in a fight with a dog and have them sulk in hurt feelings or a week. Dogs don't care how old you are, if you are pretty, or how much you make. They will always do whatever it takes to make you feel better. All dogs know is love and they are completely willing to share it. Dogs don't withhold information or scheme on how to make you feel like trash. Dogs don't play favorites. If you've had a bad day, dogs are always there to make you feel better, and they want to be there to help. Dogs always love to cuddle and aren't ever afraid to show you they love you.
I grew up in a house where saying I love you or physically touching anyone was a little strange. Through a series of unfortunate events, I went to a school outside of my attendance zone, and, therefore, had no children my age to play with in my neighborhood. My dog, Taffy, was my best friend. She loved me and, though she obviously didn't talk, she showed me every day. Taffy always wanted to be with me and I could tell her anything and sh would still accept me for who I was. Anything I wanted to do, Taffy was right there at my side. Even if I was just playing at the computer, taffy would be right there at my feet so I could pet her with my toes. Every night, Taffy would sleep in my room, preferring it over her own bed in the living room. Taffy was an amazing friend. She was my best friend until the night she died in my arms.
I hope that all dogs really do go to heaven because Taffy is as much family as any of my actual family is to me. If anything, Taffy is the one in my family who taught me how to feel. She was the one who kept me sane for much of my life and the one that taught me that loving something isn't a crime. I miss Taffy terribly, but am grateful for everything she helped me through.
I will forever be a dog person and am so sad that I can't have one where I live. I feel like a peice of my heart is always missing, and you can think I'm weird for that, but that is just the person I am.
