Lap Top vs Lap Dog

I was busy with emails sitting on my deck when my little dog Chloe came up to me and placed her head against my knee. I had my lap top on my lap so there was obviously no space for her. I patted her and told her I was busy. She heaved a sigh and walked off. I felt bad. It is amazing how these little creatures can tug at your heart strings and manipulate you with their seemingly meaningless actions.

I went back to my mails and soon felt a warm tongue licking my toe. This time, I sighed, put away my lap top and picked up my lap dog. I placed Chloe on my lap where she settled in comfortably with a murmur and a satisfied moan. I looked at her and smiled. I guess a lap dog can give more satisfaction than a lap top can!

Chloe often gives me this sense of being needed and appreciated. She demands nothing more than to be curled up close to me ... although ON me would be better.

Do you have a pet? Have you hugged your pet today? Have you given your pet some attention? So many of us get pets and then "abandon" them. Some literally, others emotionally. You have a pet? Make sure you spend time with your lap dog as much as you do your lap top!

And if you don't have a pet yet, then don't get one till you think you have the time for it. Pets often live long lives. Make sure you can commit to the number of years of your pet's lifetime. It is so sad that people give up their pets because they are getting married, or having a baby or moving house. Pets should become a part of the family and we don't give up family members for anything ... or do we?

I wrote this poem as a reminder that if we are not ready, we should not get a pet.

STOP!
This is a cry from my heart
For all the abandoned pets
They don't deserve this
Just because God made us
To have dominion over all
The creatures of this earth
He meant for us to care for them
Not slaughter and kill and treat them
With disdain and cruelty

My heart cries out to all mothers
STOP!
Don't buy that pet for your children
They are too young to understand
Responsibility and to love and care
For these creatures who live long lives
That can be years of misery
Uncared for
And unloved!

My heart goes out to those creatures
That get passed on from one owner to another
Some end up better than before
Many end up confused and afraid
And the sparkle and anticipation
For a better life dies
Like the sparkle in their eyes
Gone forever till they
Return to their Maker

STOP! THINK!
When in doubt
DON'T!
Don't buy that rabbit
Don't buy that dog
Don't buy that cat
Don't buy
Don't!
Just DON'T!

liz poey
20/01/11