There I lay, a forty year old woman… almost stretched prone in my attempt to see the wee critter in the bottom cage. I was on a three month university trip to Europe and really missing my pets left at home. On the third floor of a Polish department store, I discovered a little pet section housing a close relative of our ‘Canadian’ hamster. As some silly goo gah nonsense escaped me, the store employee stared at my prone position in utter disbelief.

Through touching a special place in your hearts, pets help keep balance in your daily life. When they are suddenly removed for any reason, you can be hard pressed to keep that “much desired” stability. While traveling, I needed the excitement of seeing that cute hamster; the laughter that bubbles up inside when I remember how crazy I must have looked still has a positive effect on me. Pets help you to remember that life is for living… and that they find their own pleasure in watching you laugh and enjoy yourself. I haven’t looked for studies that verify that ALL pets feel this joy, but I can’t imagine that your good feelings would not influence, in a positive way, any critter you share your happiness with.

Pets of all kinds can take us to that loving place within, where joy bubbles and love abounds. I once rescued, for a week, a hornet trapped on my office window. The fall season was at an end and death was pretty inevitable. It was too cold outside for me to release the hornet so I cut up an apple and fed him. I still smile at the memory of him suddenly perking up and flying around.

Just as my girl friend phoned, Henry, as I’d named him, landed on the back of my head. To her words of, “Kill it,” I ran through the house to the closest mirror, laughing hysterically as I hollered into the phone for her to hold on a minute. I gently reached the phone antennae to a place in front of Henry so that he could climb aboard. With him perched on the end, I returned Henry to the office. He passed on a few days later. But here I am, years later, still reaping the benefits of that lovely sense of “pet for a season” that he left me with. I must ask my girl friend if she remembers.

Any critter who can awaken within you that gentle, happy, exuberant, caring, loving part of your being is serving a greater purpose in your life. Some pets stay with you longer than others; some need more care than others. Regardless, I believe that most will bring you great joy and stability when you need it most. Just look around… there is a pet hiding in the craziest of places if you check closely. Fill its life with fun and laughter and discover how much your own sorrows lessen while your quality of life improves.