My Pets, My Friends . . .

I know that this sounds corny. Out of fashion. And silly. But I am going to say it anyway. There is a certain, special bond that was formed by some higher power and exists between a person and their pets. I cannot explain this no more than I can explain Einstein's Theory of Relativity. All I know is that life would be very sad, miserable, and depressing, if it had not been for my true pals, my dogs and cats.

Some people have various preferences. Some people prefer dogs. Some prefer cats. And then there are those who love snakes, birds, and exotic fish. I was not that choosy. I just loved my dogs when I was a child.

Here are a few things about why dogs make great pets:

1. Dogs are loyal to a fault.
2. Dogs can be trusted. More than a best friend.
3. Dogs do not expect much from their owners.
4. Dogs are easily-pleased. I cannot say that about human friends. Can you?
5. Dogs have our backs. And will defend us to the bitter end.
6. Dogs can be included in our conversations.
7. Dogs, my non-purebred type, are not expensive to keep.

Okay. I understand all about equal time. And I am aiming this section of the story to all cat lovers. Here are my seven reasons why cats make great pets:

1. Cats are quiet and mostly carefree.
2. Cats love attention. But not too much.
3. Cats are easily transported from one location to another.
4. Cats have neat names like, "Johnny," "Claws," and "Muffy."
5. Cats can be confided in. They will keep your secrets.
6. Cats love to be groomed.
7. Cats make great gifts especially from a guy who loves a certain girl.

Outside of dogs and cats, I secretly had this urge to own and care for a line of exotic pets such as iguana's, parrots, and even a boa constrictor. People do not realize this about boa's, but they are cleaner than dogs or cats. Look it up. This is a true fact about our friends, the non-poisonous snakes. Now as for the bold-of-heart, those people among us who dare to own a rattlesnake, alligator or even a wolverine, I say have at it. A boa is as dangerous as I want to get.

I suppose, with all things being equal, not everyone is cut out to be pet owners. This is a sad fact, but a true fact. I back my thinking up with these points as to what qualifications make a good pet owner:

1. Pet owners must be patient.
2. Pet owners must be relaxed when handling pets. Pets can sense tension.
3. Pet owners must be giving because when it comes to owning a pet, a pet owner does more giving than taking.
4. Pet owners must be dedicated. Entirely devoted to the care, feeding and welfare of their pet.
5. Pet owners must know how to administer discipline. Tough love means a loving pet.
6. Pet owners must know how to take criticism from their non-pet-owning friends who think pet owners are strange for loving an animal so much.
7. Pet owners must learn to be a peace with themselves before they can begin to foster the care and nurturing of a pet.

Siamese cats make great house cats for some people. But a generic yellow cat makes an even better pet. A common, garden-variety yellow cat is not that finicky about what he or she eats. A yellow cat will eat whatever cat food you buy for them. And when you feed a Siamese cat, you always have to be aware that this particular breed of cat is very choosy about what goes into their stomachs. And speaking for the cat here, I cannot blame them. Most first-time cat owners, who do not take the time to study-up about Siamese cats, will attempt to feed them the scraps from their dining room table. This, my friend, will not work. A Siamese cat can easily sense that you are trying to just get by the easiest way you can when it come to feeding them, but overly-feeding them will get your Siamese into a spoiled role and act up when they do not get exactly what they want for their meals.

If I may, I would love to share with you, my list of animals that do not make good pets.

1. Tarantula's - for people who own tarantula's have to look out for their nervous friends who are scared stiff at the sight of a spider this big.

2. Scorpions - for obvious reasons. Scorpions are short-tempered, love to sting you with their pointed tails and I just say, "do not buy a scorpion to be different when your friends are all into dogs or cats.

3. Turtles - when and if they do come out from their shell, what have you got then? A slow-moving creature who eats, moves a little more and retires to his shell for more sleep. Fact is, I wouldn't mind being a turtle.

4. Raccoons - they are overly-curious and always into something in your house. And they can be dangerous with their razor-sharp claws. Leave the raccoon to roam free in the wild. Get yourself a yorkie, rat terrier, or a gray cat.

5. Crows - for the same reasons as I gave for not getting a raccoon for a pet.

6. Deer - are made for 'the wild,' not your home. I know there are exceptions to all rules, and there is always this 'somebody' (on television) who has a pet deer that lives in the house with the family who found it. This is a rare event--training and taming a deer. They are very cute, I do admit, but not as a pet.

7. Japanese Warrior Fish - beautiful to behold, but near-deadly when you get your hair too close to the tank when feeding them. If you are into fish for a pet, stick to goldfish, miniature hammer heads, and guppies. These are much safer.

This is a list of great dog and cat names for you when you are ready to become a pet-owner:

1. "Sandy," perfect for a puppy.
2. "Buddy," perfect for a tomcat, German shepherd or Border Collie.
3. "Pappy," perfect for a Rat Terrier. With the chin whiskers, this name will work.
4. "Queenie" perfect for a cat, a house cat or a cat who stays outside.
5. "Scratch" perfect for a cat or a dog. A universal name for a pet. Nice.
6. "Hero" perfect for dog, namely a Rottweiller.
7. "Fluffie" perfect for a purebred cat. No matter what purebred cat you get, "Fluffy," fits. I think that "Fluffy" is the international name for cats.
8. "Champ" perfect for bulldog, hound, or an active dog. It even sounds strong.

Where I live today is in a residential zone of Hamilton, Alabama. Other people around me have pets of all types--birds, dogs, cats, and some hamsters. Not me. It's not that I am cold-hearted or stern. I still love animals more the same as I did when I was growing into a man. I have to admit that sometimes when I sitting alone in my workroom in front of my PC screen, I get to recalling all the great memories that were given to me by pets.

And addressing the issue of me getting another pet.

I just know that if I were to get a new pet, get attached to it, that something would happen to it. And there is not room in my heart anymore for the pain of seeing another pet go away.

The human heart can stand just so much pain.