A Child’s Love For a Pet

How many pets do you have? A cat? A dog? A turtle? A bird? 

No doubt, if you own a pet, it has become a part of the family. 

Our family had one pet, a dog.  Yes, “had” is the key word.  Unfortunately we had to put our dearly beloved Lucy to sleep this past December. Death, although common is also so foreign.  Two months later we are still feeling the absence of her presence.

Our Lucy was a dog with great personality (but all owners like to think that of their pets). However, Lucy was not our son’s biggest fan.  She never did anything to hurt or put him in danger.  She just was skeptical of him from the time he became mobile at 1-year-old. My son on the other hand adored her and her very existence. 

Having a pet in our household taught us many things through the years.  But the one thought that stands out the most is how much she taught us all to love.  Not just our love for her, but our ability to see how a child loves completely and with their whole heart when they love, even when it’s something or someone that doesn’t have much interaction with them.

Never underestimate the power and depth of a child’s love.  They can truly surprise you.  My son’s love for his first pet was deeper than I could have ever imagined.  I feel blessed that Lucy allowed me to see this in him.  She will be forever loved.