The President’s Column

The family...our sustenance...and our pets

Families are a precious part of living; they sustain us through the travels and travails of life. As we already know, our beloved families come in different varieties. Sometimes the dearest and strongest connection may be with a family member who walks on four feet—our pets. Pets can be one of the most cherished family members largely because of the unconditional love they provide. They love without judgment or conditions. Their unwavering devotion sustains us through stress, anxiety and depression, giving us emotional support and comfort, particularly during difficult times. They are an antidote to loneliness. Speaking of the greatness of animals, James Herriot noted “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.."

At the height of the Covid pandemic I recall going for a walk through Valley Falls Park. I noticed an elderly, disabled man working hard to get out of his car. It was slow-going, but his persistence was ultimately successful. After closing the driver's side door, he opened a passenger door and out jumped his dog. He picked up the leash, and the two of them started strolling down the path, “hand in hand". What a poignant scene to behold.

To focus a bit on dogs, the human species would do well to emulate some of their qualities. They exhibit loyalty at its pinnacle. We’ve all heard the stories of a dog not hesitating to sacrifice its own life to save the life of its human master. Mark Twain, a dog lover, once noted, “”Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit,, you would stay out and your dog would go in”. We can learn a lot from dogs' unwavering devotion, trust, how to love without judgment or conditions, and how to forgive, just to name a few.

As we happily accept the gifts offered by the animals in our lives, let’s not forget to give back to them. We owe them so much. Remember that there is a lot we can learn from them. As Anatole France believed “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened”.  Let's pause and stand in awe and appreciation of those who give us so much, to whom we owe so much, our four-legged family members.

Peggy Webbe

President