Love Thy Neighbor….The Four-Legged One

By:  Stephanie Benney

Charity and acts of kindness come in all shapes and sizes.  There are no limitations and no boundaries or parameters of what can be done for the general betterment of the world.

Many of my articles dealing with philanthropy and charity have been directed towards the planet and environment or the human race.  However, we cannot forget our four-legged, furry friends.  Animals are just as much a part of the natural flow of this planet as we arrogant humans are.  After all, where did human survival skills root from?

Humans (not all) feel that they have a right or entitlement to this planet.  We have no problem cutting down trees and clearing land to develop another “cookie cutter”, “lack of creativity” housing plan.  What we don’t think about is the fact that we are invading the animal’s territory and home.  So where do they go?

While we may not be able to directly offer the animals of the wild an alternative home, we have a chance to give one to animals that have been tossed aside and neglected.  There are so many loving animals waiting in shelters to become the next member of your family.

While the most monumental benefit of adopting a pet is obviously giving the animal  a chance to have a happy life – to love and be loved.  In essence, we are recycling the life of the animal (you knew I would work my “green” in somehow).

Not only does the adoption benefit the animal, it benefits us as well.  Pets are very influential on our mood and well-being.  We have all had days where we feel it would have been best to not have even gotten out of bed that morning, because what followed was a string of negative events – each one fueled by the one before.  Somehow, when we turn the key in the door and we are greeted by the bark or meow of our best little buddy, we are diffused and the positivity within us is restored.  Our pets are always happy to see us, no matter what the circumstances, and sometimes a lick on the nose or a brush up against our leg is the best medicine.

Pets provide an unconditional companionship unlike any we could get from another human.  Let’s face it “chicks”, sometimes the selection for suitable partners is few and far between.  In the words of Samantha, from Sex and the City, “You can’t swing a Fendi bag without knocking over 5 losers.”  Pets don’t care if we sit on the couch in our 5 sizes too big sweats eat too much ice cream and cry during chick flick marathons while “Aunt Flo” is in town – they are right there beside us.  There aren’t many men brave enough to do that.

We all live hectic lives and are slaves to our schedules, but some more than others.  While we love animals and would love to include them in our lives, we don’t want to neglect them by not being able to give them the attention they deserve.  Consider being a dog walker once or twice a week.  Not only will you get your exercise and bonding time with nature, you will brighten the day of a little sweetheart who’s waiting to be adopted.

The next time you have the opportunity, give your pet or an animal close to you an extra hug, pat or a kiss.  Thank them for enriching your life and return the favor.  For more information on adoption and volunteering in the Pittsburgh area, please visit: Animal Friends at thinkingoutsidethecage.org

Animal Rescue League of Western PA at animalrescue.org

Pittsburgh Dogs at pghdogs.com

Western PA Humane Society at wpahumane.com

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com