spirituality of pets

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
spirituality of pets
12
Mon, 07-04-2005 - 7:37pm
My friend Jim says, pets don't love unconditionally,
they love you because you feed them. He said they do not
know unconditional love. I disagree. I had the best dog ever,
that is in the past, he read my mind and was the gem
of the neighborhood. Now, I have baby kittens. what is as cute as baby
kittens except baby anything. hehe. I know they feel the love I feel.
I am in awe at the happiness and love they give me. Hey, they are faithful.
hehe!!!!!!!! I think pets are sent to us as angels. I am on a different level
than when I had cats with teens. I can read them better and know who is who
in the dark because I feel their personalities. since my dog, woody, I have
not known this type of love. How do your pets affect you???????? I had a
situation Sat, won't get onto it here, my hert was broken because
it went out to Molly, the kitty I named after my aunt, the other is her sister
I named her Sammy ( Samantha after my dad, Samuel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I think
my deceased realatives will be honored. I think God sent our pets to us.
love, Leila

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 3:05am

I think pets absolutely CAN love unconditionally, but I don't think they all DO. I have a cat right now that I have no doubt only tolerates us 90+% of the time because we feed her. Beyond food, she really doesn't have much use for us. Every once in a week she'll come looking for some affection, but it's always on HER terms. There's definitely no love there.

Our other cat, on the other hand, makes it very clear that he cares about us. He takes turns sleeping with the kids, lets them carry him all over, comes running if any of them are screaming or crying. It's very clear that he's just devoted to them and will take any amount of 'abuse' to make them happy. Oh, and when DD (4) has a 'tea party' she always sets a place for the cat and he'll sit there and eat every bit of food (regular dry cat food that he wasn't interested in 5 minutes ago!) that she puts in her hand or on his plate. Crazy cat! LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 8:01am
tea party, that's so cute. I gave a bunny away years ago
to my boss when I moved, his daughter had tea parties with Bunny.
Animals do have their own personalities. Somehow the cats
are all spiritual beings even if aloof. My chiropractor treats cats
with bach flower essences. He is a medical intuitive and treats his cats
and clients' animals by reading them thru the owner. Wonder if an
essence would help cat #1 to warm up. love, Leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 10:07am

I agree with ginger.cookie that not all animals love unconditionally, just as all humans don't.


iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 10:15am

We adopted Kovu, my shepherd/chow/husky/collie mix when he was five weeks old.

 

 

152.6&n

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 2:38pm

I couldn't agree with you more.


If pets only love us because we feed them....


Why do they return home, after being lost for days and fed by someone else?


Why do they come by us when we are sad and crying, for food?


Pets deserve more credit than the whole "feed reflex" thing.

Shyla

  

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Tue, 07-05-2005 - 4:32pm

Oh, Leila, I've never had a pet (cat or dog) that didn't love me back...if your friend is correct, perhaps what we perceive as love is really just a creature responding to kindness and nourishment? No! I think pets are more complicated than that...they have different personalities as someone said in a previous post...I think people and pets grow to love each other, much as an infant and mother...

When I held my children for the very first time, I didn't know what to do with these limp dishrags (ok, just kiddding!)because an infant doesn't respond with a smile for months after the continuous feedings, changings, rocking/singing...and first time you get your reward, well, it's heaven...

My dog has a chronic ear condition...and her ears need to be cleaned twice a week...because they hurt...sometimes the cleaning itself hurts her...but she lets me do it and she leans into me as I clean the large red ears with a soft warm cloth...and I can swear that she's grateful...do I imagine that reaction? Maybe...but, she can easily bite me or run away and she doesn't. She has a sweet disposition so that helps...Yet...she has bitten men who approach me if we are hiking in the woods...to say that such an intelligent animal loves me because I feed her is a great disservice to her...

I assume we are talking about certain pets, such as cat or dog...not snakes, lizards or whatever?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 07-06-2005 - 1:45am
I love reading people's thoughts on this. In the past
I was never a pet person. The dog I used to have
was very special to me. I never knew these kittens would
be so meaningful to me. I see them grow to love me as
i love them and talk to them and tell them how sweet
they are and beautiful. Not that they know all the words
but they can feel it and they give back. The indifferent one
is showing affection now. my friend, Jim, interesting,
whenever he has been over , he starts to look for the kittens.
I told him I had a scare with them and i'd tell him later, he called
back and said what happened? I think he is liking them!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree, they are my guardian angels. These kittens were sent to me
to take pressure off me to meet men or anything.
It is a joy to come home, I liked living alone, but this is heaven.
I love to take care of them, I love the energy in the house.
Animals heal.
leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 11:04am

Pets do heal.....read this article:


Benefits of Pets In Healing
by Gail R. Mitchell, Empowering Caregivers

Dogs, cats, fish, birds and other pets have long been incredible companions for their owners. One of their most outstanding characteristics is the unconditional love they offer to us. For any of you who have ever owned a pet, you know the benefits of having these loving beings in your life.

I remember reading stories how cats were put in the Pharaoh's tombs when they were buried to help them journey on into the spiritual realm in safety. In some religions, it is felt that when an owner is ill, the animal actually can take on the illness to help in healing their owner.

The pets that are man's best friend provide many benefits and they are being credited with providing not only companionship to humans, but health benefits to many as well. The medical establishment and people in general are beginning to recognize and accept the healing impact these animals have on the human being.

Studies have shown that the simple stroking of a pet, such as a dog or cat, can actually lower heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Even watching fish in an aquarium creates similar effects. It is both soothing and meditative.

Many animal shelters are beginning to bring animals for visits to nursing homes fostering a healing energy for so many elderly people. It definitely has been successful for while it can help reduce stress, it facilitates more social interaction. It also brings the people in the facility together with a common interest. Many reflect on the own pet companions that may have passed, that they are missing. In reminiscing, they remember happy times. They seem to open up when they are around animals. It is great for children in rehabilitation centers as well. This so called "pet therapy" is being recognized more and more. "Pet therapy" also encourages prior pet owners to share stories, pictures and descriptions of their beloved pets. It is definitely a way to get to know each other more.

The world's love of pets extends to club memberships, pet shows, magazines and a booming industry supporting their grooming, feeding and comfort. People who want to give their pet the best spend millions of dollars each year. Most people treat their pets in their end of life stages no differently then they would a human loved one. They deserve it because these loving pets give us so much in terms of companionship and unconditional love.

Shyla


Shyla

  

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 2:38pm

Good article, Shyla! I can personally attest to the healing power of animals. My 1st cat found me at my lowest point in life -- I was suffering from deep bouts of depression. He is so attuned to my feelings from the moment he saw me, it's truly amazing.

-gnd-

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 07-08-2005 - 10:26pm
Article full of truth. Leila

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