slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

"My three cats are my children," a teacher told her class when she made preliminary introductions. She wanted them to know this fact about her. She related the story of what happened when her town was flooded by relentless rain, how she and her husband got the cats out of the house before any of their possessions when they realized all were i danger. Her love for her pets was the first impression she wanted to make on her new students.

People with children, even animal lovers with children, often misunderstand sentiments like hers, and are sadly judgmental sometimes. But, our pets are sent to us just as we are each directed to a particular person or place. Each person has their own unique need. We all have our reasons for feeling the way we do. There are those who, for wh**ever reason, cannot have children, and a cat or a dog, a parrot or a horse, might be the only way to fulfill the part of their heart that longs to love with parental love.

Those who make their pets a high priority don't undervalue children. They have big hearts and tender souls and are able to love with a care-taking love that respects and cherishes all living things. We don't have to pick between kids or pets.

We are not possessed of a need only to love one or the other. When Noah left the ark with all the animals of the world he fulfilled a promise of protection and blessing over them as well as his Family.

When your pets are your children, you watch over them just like you do the rest of the Family, and trust in that promise!

Kim McLean

bahmer

Interesting article thanks. Maybe badbobby looks on you as such.

bggamers Loc: georgia

Very true I'v had two great friends in my life from the animal kingdom one for 12yrs and the other for 16 yrs they were family and friends very much loved and greatly missed