ON THE MARK

I think one of the worst things to happen to a human being is for them to be without someone to talk to. We need food, water, rest and shelter to keep us alive, but we need someone or something to talk to so we can remain calm and sane.

Friends are great for support, and taking you down a notch when you’re getting too arrogant. And new acquaintances can impart some bits of knowledge that you’ve never had before. A confidante of our own will always be there to offer their shoulder or a few words of advice when you’re feeling low. But they don’t always have to be other humans.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, no, I am not talking about inanimate objects like Wilson from the movie “Castaway.” Though it’s something to talk to, it is pretty creepy and not very good for one’s sanity. What I’m talking about are the family companions that we’ve had growing up. Cats, dogs, birds, a pet lizard or spider. Any of these creatures can hold special meaning to us. Perhaps to anyone else a cat is a cat or a dog is just another mutt, but if you own and care for them, they become so much more than that.

I’d like to tell a story. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends and I hated going to places where there were a lot of people. Soccer games, school hallways and even going out to dinner with my family creeped me out. My brother and sister were very personable and were always out with their friends, leaving me alone for most days. My mother was my confidante and my father built me up from time to time, but I wanted a companion. I wanted someone who would be happy to see me – and even happier to put up with me.

The first dog I remember having was a large, black labrador by the name of Trudy. She was a good dog; very sweet and patient with other people and animals. I remember she had a bit of a pot belly and waddled after me like a grandmother would to make sure I didn’t get too far away from the farm. Though old and nearing the end of her life just as I was about to enter school, Trudy never failed to listen to whatever nonsense I had to say. She became a good companion and set the standard for what a good dog was supposed to be.

After Trudy died, we had a good amount of cats and a few dogs. Being on a farm, one would expect us to have a few cows or pigs. But we were purely a crop operation (we did take on pigs for two years). That said, there was plenty of land for a dog to feel at home and for a cat to hunt to its heart’s content. We had two or three Jack Russell terriers that loved to follow us out into the fields and were always riding with one of us when we took the golf cart out for a spin. Though they weren’t the most loyal of companions, they were a breath of fresh air and gave us more good times than bad.

I’ve always held a love for all animals – and most insects – but cats resonate well with my own personality. They’re usually independent, introverted and clean creatures that don’t do much. On our farm, the cats could be seen wandering close to the house or rummaging around in the old barns for something to hunt. Though they’re cats by nature and enjoy spending time alone, they’ll come running out of every nook and cranny when their names are called. They’ll meow and do figure-eights between our legs as they demand to be let in, fed, and eventually allowed to cuddle up with one of us.

We don’t seem to regard our pets as property or burdens, but rather members of our family. They’ve earned their right to lounge around as a result of all that they’ve done for us. In our household, we keep our cats around because they’re both great hunters and personable. No matter how much my father says that he’d enjoy getting rid of the cats, I see him in his office every now and then holding one of them in his arms like a baby. I suppose they don’t even have to be good hunters just as long as they’re there for us to talk to or interact with. Just being acknowledged is a good feeling.

Humans are social creatures. We need someone or something to interact with so we can grow as people and have different experiences. Family pets, though not humans, are our companions, confidants, partners, and more. Dogs will ease you out of the house to play in the sun. Cats will curl up on your lap when you’re on the couch or trying to work. And other pets, like a turtle or spider, won’t make you feel as lonely as you used to be.

Maybe it’s a good idea to call home some time and see how man’s best friend is doing!