I have always had a love for animals and luckily grew up always having a pet or two….or three. All of them had such different and unique personalities, but the one thing they all had in common was giving me unconditional love. They left me with so many wonderful memories and all have a very special place in my heart. Currently, my family has two dogs, Wrigley and Zeus as well as two desert tortoises. At times it feels like a lot of work juggling kids and pets in the same household and I will be honest and admit that our dogs don’t receive as much attention as they did before having both of our daughters, but I could not imagine what life would be like without our furry family members.
Our girls have learned how to treat animals in a respectable and gentle way and as they get older will understand all the responsibilities that come with taking care of a pet. The kids have the best time playing fetch with Wrigley and snuggling up with Zeus, all 75 pounds of him. But my favorite thing to witness is the big hugs the girls give each of them and the numerous licks they receive on their face in return. Having a pet in the family requires some extra effort but it is so worth it if it works for your family.
If you are considering adding to your family, I highly encourage you to visit a local animal adoption shelter such as Arizona Humane Society, Arizona Animal Welfare League, HALO Animal Rescue and Foothills Animal Rescue. There are many more all over the valley and most of these facilities have trained counselors to assist you in finding a suitable pet that fits in with your family. Keep in mind that many of these adoption centers will cover spay/neuter surgery, current vaccinations, a follow-up veterinarian check-up, and other discounts on programs and services for your new pet. If you are looking for a specific breed, share that with the adoption organization you are working with and many will inform you when your perfect match arrives at their rescue. There are so many animals waiting and hoping that a caring family takes them home and loves them so if you think it is time to own a pet, save a life and adopt one. I promise they will forever change your life in the best way possible!
