As a child and young person, I always had pets.  I had a dog, cat, fish, and hamster.  I enjoyed them a lot.

However, after my life changed and I was alone, I did not feel it would be fair to leave a pet alone all day while I worked. I have now gone many years without having a pet for that reason – a wrong reason, I now know! How much I have missed out on.

My thoughts were then that if I waited until I retired, then my dog and I would be together full time.  I would have a better way of training my Gizmo, and Gizmo wouldn’t be lonely having to stay alone. 

Now after seeing how well my granddaughter’s boxers are, even being in their dog kennels all day, I see my mistake.  If they are in their dog kennels when the family isn’t home, it is their routine.  They don’t mind being in their own ‘rooms’, just as human children love their own rooms.  Of course my granddaughter makes sure that they have some of their things in there too.  They have a blanket, some toys, water, etc. This is positive impact working both ways.

My retirement will not be lonely, and if ever I feel depressed, Gizmo will be there for me, available and on duty full time. He will adjust his life to mine and we will grow old together. However, I could have had all that these lost years too, with the use of dog kennels.

I am in good health now and having to care for Gizmo and keep him healthy, will result in keeping myself that way. I will have another reason to keep active and not eat incorrectly.  I also am the type person who needs routine too and Gizmo will provide that as well.  In these very stressful times, it will help to see that little tail wagging, and to develop an emotional tie that will distract me.

So many positive reasons for having a fur companion.

I want to make a positive commitment to continue being involved, involved in another life  - Gizmo’s.