How Two Cats Saved Me as a Child
On a hot summer day when I was 11 years old, two stray kittens wandered into our yard. They were emaciated and dirty, but I begged my mother to let me adopt them. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of money, and I’m sure that my mother was concerned about how much caring for them would cost. Despite her initial misgivings, my mother decided we would adopt the cats (whom we named Lisa and Oliver).
That summer day we saved two kittens, but over the years they were the ones who rescued us. Over the years, the cost of caring for them paled in comparison to the love and companionship they provided. Before we adopted the cats, my father and grandfather had passed away, we had little money, and I had few friends. I was constantly bullied in school and was extremely unhappy. I saw little purpose in my life and briefly considered suicide.
Lisa and Oliver gave me a reason to live. I soon made friends in school and began to build my self-confidence. Even after enduring the taunts of bullies at school, I knew that when I arrived home, my furry friends would provide me with unconditional love and affection. It didn’t matter to them if I were a few pounds overweight, my clothes were out-of-date, or my hair was unruly.
What the Psychologists Say
Your decision to adopt a pet for your child might make all the difference in your child’s life, but don’t rely on my story alone to help you decide. Psychologists now recognize what pets can do for children and adults. Lori Lawrenz, PsyD, of PsychCentral.com, notes that pets help with childhood development by providing emotional regulation whereby a person is able to control their emotions and react properly to the emotions of others.
Pets also can enhance mental health, improve social interaction with others and communication skills, and teach life skills like responsibility and dependability. Because of the relatively short life of pets, animals also can help children cope with death and grief.
Denise Elphick of PetsPyjamas.com notes that there are ten reasons why pets are good for children. You will most likely find several of those reasons useful to you in making your decision about adopting a pet. The ones that most resonate with me are that they provide “comfort and companionship,” keep “families talking,” and help children feel less isolated. As I noted, I was bullied in school and for several years had no friends. Therefore, my cats provided me with the companionship I needed. When I came home from school, I knew the cats would be waiting for me and love me unconditionally. In my teenage years, my mother didn’t share my tastes in music, clothing, or entertainment, but we did have common ground when we would share stories about Lisa and Oliver or play with them together. As Elphick also points out, cats make you laugh. And I remember many times how the antics of Lisa and Oliver made me laugh so I would forget about my problems.
Adding a Pet to Your Family Can Also Help Adults
There are also many reasons that adopting a pet can help you and other adults in your family. After an abusive marriage and a bitter divorce, I once again found myself very lonely and isolated from family and friends. Moreover, my self-esteem was at an all-time low. Then a cat who I named Clio came into my life. Clio was the runt of the litter and survived a heart murmur and two bouts with cancer that left her with one eye and three legs. By watching her, I found the courage to face the challenges that faced me. Moreover, she helped me regain my self-esteem.
Maria Masters notes: “adding a furry or feathered friend to your household can be a wonderful thing. Some of the bigger perks: Pets can boost self-esteem and lower stress for everyone.” I couldn’t agree more. Of course, you shouldn’t adopt a pet just because you want that pet to help you. However, saving an animal can not only provide innumerable benefits to the pet but to you and the members of your family.
My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist: How My Cat Clio Saved Me, featured on the cover of Purdue University’s 2023 fall and winter catalog, is available through Amazon or Purdue University Press. Readers purchasing through Purdue can enter discount code PURDUE30 at checkout for a 30% discount.
Guest post “Are You Thinking of Adding a Pet to Your Family?” courtesy of Kathy M. Finley. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communication Enterprises Inc.
About the Author: Kathy M. Finley is a lifelong animal lover and advocate. She retired several years ago after leading nonprofit organizations for more than 40 years. In an effort to help save animals, Finley devotes her time to writing. Her recent book, My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist: How My Cat Clio Saved Me (Purdue University Press – New Directions in the Human Animal Bond Series, 2023) recently won three awards from the Speak Up Talk Radio International Firebird Awards and was a finalist in the Feathered Quill Awards. Her book details how animals helped her face life’s challenges and is a testament to the strength of the human-animal bond. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband Jeff and her two cats, Jackson and Trixie. Kathy can be reached at [email protected] or her at her website – kathyfinley.com.
Enjoy this article about adding a pet to your family? Here are three more of my most popular articles:
Top 10 Products Cat Owners Need When Adopting A Cat
Introducing a New Cat to Your Home: What You Should Know
Preparing For a Sweet New Puppy
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