I vaguely remember reading somewhere that feeling love was the equivalent of looking into the eyes of God, and I have been able to experience that feeling over and over again. However I think that there is something to be said about the love animals and humans can share for one another. I have the cutest pet rat named Priscilla. I remember the day she was brought home from the pet shop; she was so small and white; she kept excessively licking herself and sneezing. My 14 year old brother picked her out on his own because I was completely grossed out with the idea of having a rat for a pet, but slowly she melted my heart, my mother’s heart, and, with time, even my father’s. My brother said he chose her because she was in the corner of the cage all by herself and he didn’t want her to be lonely, but after a couple of days of having her we realized it was because of her over active craziness that the other rats probably didn’t want to play with her.Priscilla has been a member of the family for almost a year now, and in that time spam I have seen her cry when she wants to be let out of her cage, jump for joy at my brother’s return from a sleep over, and she has even licked my tears away as I cried, trying to sooth me. Even though Priscilla can’t speak, she understands. However, female rats that don’t have babies develop tumors that end their short lives prematurely. Unfortunately, Priscilla has this terrible tumor that is consuming her slowly and eventually we will have to put her to sleep. I’m crying hysterically as I write this because I will miss her pearly white fur, her little pink hands, and her sharp teeth that ruin any material in sight immensely. The thought that when I have a bad day she won’t be around to make me laugh or steal my food when I’m eating is so sad. My most favorite memory, how she falls asleep in my hair when I lie down, will make me miss her even more when she is gone.
Animals inspire unconditional love, creativity, and motivation to become a better person. Priscilla bites everything- which is why I don’t allow her on my bed a lot. I don’t want to have my bed sheets resemble Swiss cheese. However, when she does chew on them all I manage is a weak, “Silla no!” and then pick her up, put her on my shoulder, and tilt my head so she can kiss my cheek. She has made my brother and me much more responsible because she is an animal that needs interaction and to be loved; she can’t just be left in her cage. As a result of this, she has to be let out and played with for at least an hour every day and, like any other pet, she needs to be bathed, which is an impossible task. Even though she is incredibly annoying, she has so much personality that she will be greatly missed. This I believe is true, that the love an animal gives can change the life of a person and a family.
-Angela Garcia
Aww angela, im sorry about what happened to Priscilla. I know exactly how you feel. Ive recently lost my pet guinea pig Chocolate Chip last year in January. He slowly became very sick, his stomach was swollen and he couldn't walk very well and i had to hold him. I literally broke down crying one day when i had him laying in his cushion bed and he kept trying to get out of it and go a short distance. I had just saw the movie Marley and Me and the boy said when an animal is going to die soon, they go somewhere else to do it. I thought of that and it hit me hard. I was thinking..no he can't die now, he still has years to go. We were going to take him to the vet but it was was late and on a weekend and no one was open so i had to wait until monday. However he didn't make it, i sat there in the middle of the night and watched him catch his last few breaths, trying to hold in tears but i let it all out. i will never forget that moment :( he was my baby and had a special place in my heart, i loved him very much and i miss having him around. I still have his little bell and a picture of him on my wall. I was doing reasearch months later and i believe he may have had Bloat, a twisting of the stomache which could be fatal in many animals.
ReplyDeletehey hun, im sorry to hear about your friend, and i really had no idea about rats. Pets i think fill a maternal bond that many (even men) look for. We see something smaller then us, weaker, and we instantly in our hearts adopt it. it is a beautiful bond that helps many express feelings of love and attachment unconditionally.
ReplyDeleteAngela I'm so sorry. :(
ReplyDeleteWhen I was eight my dog, Kelly (my best friend at the time), had to be put down and I held her paw while they did and I couldn't get over it.
Animals seem to become more human in a way when you get to know them and thus we love them like crazy. Kelly was just like that and I bet Silla was too. :)
Love you girl.
Thank you, all of you. We might be doing it much sooner than we thought which is hard but I don't want her to be in any pain at all. I'm just really going to miss her so much. blahh :(
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