Ever since I can remember, my daddy always referred to our cats and dogs as “the babies”.  It’s something I picked up saying as well when I moved out and got my first wolf hybrid, Nashoba.  Animals have always been a constant in my life.  Ever since my husband and I got married I have always gotten him one Valentine from me and one from the animals.  I have noticed a rise in Valentines from pets over the last few years and I think that’s great.  I can’t tell you how many times I heard, “Just wait until you have a baby … ” with the implication being my first “babies” wouldn’t matter anymore.  I was an only child and I always thought of the animals as my siblings.  Of course I understood there was a difference but they were still a true part of our family.  This year we both got cards for our little girl that had kitties on them.  They both said she was “purrfect” but Burk outdid me because his said “pawsitively”.  Of course I got him one from the zoo and signed everyone’s names — from the wolfies and our one-eyed Shih-Tzu, to the gatos malos and the mouse, to the turtles and the koi in our little pond.  I will never be able to say enough how grateful to God I am for my husband and our child.  But all those years before they came along I at least had my fur “babies”.

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Whether you are single or with another person, smack your cat and smooch your pooch.  If you are alone PLEASE consider going to a shelter and making the best decision of your life — to be in a committed, loving relationship that will bring you both immeasurable joy.  I have often thought there is a reason “dog” is “God” spelled backward — both offer unconditional love, and that is a humbling thing.