(#6262) Even though my nuclear family is just me and my pets it is still heartfelt

      I have never been bothered by being alone. I was never one who needed to be around or with someone to feel completed. I am a whole human being who sees the world as more than just a walking in place existence. When I was younger I moved around where my needs or curiosities took me. I never was married or with children. So my stake in life was pretty much on my back and in my head. Strength and some brains can take a young fellow pretty much anywhere if he is at minimum bold but also wary enough to be cautious. That was my life until I began to realize my state of physical being was not increasing. Eventually I began to grow roots and let life surround me for longer than just a couple of seasons.
     That process took me through my midlife time and allowed me to get to where I am now. As I started to settle down somewhat I saw the state of some pets who were disabused or neglected. As a man who can feel pain and suffering I took it upon myself to adopt a pet. That little doggie became central to a lot of my decisions over a very short period of time. It wasn't just me who I was calculating the future and present it was now my little ward who became my closest companion. Little by little my attitude and behavior began to evolve and before I knew it I was captured by the incredible little personality of my doggie Carson. As time goes by though I began to see I could surround myself with a cat as well and thus it began.
     Those were the earlier days of my pet companionships. Today after a small succession of pets I am now surrounded by 4 pets. 2 doggies and 2 cats. All abandoned or rehomed. So not only do I know what it is like to live alone and be content I know how to live with my pets and be even more content. I am not looking to make a point here but I am happy that my time with my pets has been some of the happiest for me. They all have character and it is my honor to allow them not to change. Why some of us are not cut from the cloth of species procreation is someone else's question to answer. All I know is that in my pursuit of happiness I found what I found and I am highly thankful for them.