Remember how important your pet is to your life and your health!!!

In a time where happiness and success in life is measured by the almighty dollar, it is good to know that many people measure their success by their friends, their families and the loving devoted pets.

If you are not a pet owner or an animal owner this may be something that is hard for many of you to understand how much richer a life can be that has a pet in it. Pets are the missing link in a life when many people have stress that ruins their life, or loneliness that seems to go on forever, disease and hardship, depression and basically a thankless world that expects all and many times gives nothing back. In a world where we are judged not only by performance and going ten times beyond what is expected just because people think we should and being asked to put our lives so far on the back burner to make other people successful that we sometimes seem to disappear.

Where we are judged by the clothing we wear, what we drive where we live, how we eat, the friends we associate with as well as our dislikes and likes.There is some peace of mind and it is great to know that a pet is the neutral part of our life that does not care about any of the above.

Bad hair days, being overweight, being a bit of a couch potato, or wanting to just hang out and do nothing, our pets are happy to be in the room and a part of the moment. It is amazing that they can actually stimulate our immune systems, help to ease loneliness and lower blood pressure, yet ask nothing back in return except love and being your friend and devoted companion.

Today my very good friend Peni said goodbye to her best friend Poutie. A companion, family member and friend for fifteen years. This blog is to appreciate our four legged friends and maybe to remind us just how important our pets really are as companions and to our health and well being.

Below is a poem I love. Peni, I hope it helps to get you through the days upcoming a little easier.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...