I was disturbed to see this question posed in a recent Parade magazine poll.  Who would think of even doing such a thing – surely not someone who really understands what it means to have a pet.

Pets are man’s best friends, offering us unconditional love, companionship, distractions, entertainment, exercise, protection, and so much more.

At the same time, they are feeling beings who like stability and someone that they can depend on to fulfill their needs.  They miss us when we are not around and anxiously await our return and greet us with pleasure.

I remember how hard it was on our dog each time that we moved.  He had a heightened sense of awareness while he checked out the new territory.  If anything new came in the house, he would bark at it and check it out for potential problems.

To think that a pet would not have stability upsets me.  Not many people like to continually be on the move, staying in strange surroundings with unknown people. Why would an animal be any different?

Different people are on differing schedules which does not provide stability.  In addition, the pets may not be fed the same diet which can be very upsetting to their digestive systems.

Pets bond with people.  To think that someone might rent a pet and then not see that animal for a while or maybe never again, just opens the pet to heartbreak.

As an energy healer for animals, I have felt the pain and sorrow that pets can suffer.  I can assure you that they have feelings as fragile as our own.

If we truly follow the concept that we all are one, then the thought of treating a pet as less than ourselves is unthinkable.