Lucky Valentines

Valentine’s Day is always a good time to reflect on the love in our lives. 

But animal people like us are truly lucky – in addition to the people we love and who love us, we also give and receive love from the wonderful furry, feathered or scaled friends we’ve invited into our lives. Only we know how special that love can be. It’s rewarding, mutual, unconditional, and forever. And that’s something to celebrate!

Those of us who live with dogs know that their love is right there, in the open, all the time. They’re thrilled every time we walk in the door, every time we reach for the leash, every time we toss their favorite ball. Pure joy, all the time – up for whatever we’re up for, whenever we’re up for it. What better way to show their love than to appreciate us every minute of every day?  We’re lucky.

Cats are more circumspect, but their love is just as real. I’m a lifetime cat owner, but I’m rarely greeted at the door by a show of overwhelming joy. Instead, they show up eventually, one by one, rub against my legs, chirp. Mostly, they want their dinner. But later, it’s the begging to be picked up, the circling for a game of toy-toss on the stairs, the strategic competition for space on my lap, or the simple head-butt when I least expect it that says ‘I love you’. Lucky, indeed.

While we celebrate this week with cards and candy and dinners, let’s also pause for a moment to hug our furry (or feathered, or scaled) Valentines, and appreciate what they give us every day – love that is real, profound and forever, and that makes life better every day.

Yes, we’re the lucky Valentines.