Learning to Love Another
A Pet


Consider adopting a homeless pet from a local shelter. Looking after a pet can teach you much about loving, about learning to share warmth and give of yourself, about taking responsibility. A pet returns affection and loyalty for the care and love it receives. It is a simple way to discover the rewards of loving and caring, but without the sticky complications of a human relationship.

Loving a pet is more than petting and playing with him, more than the look of gratitude in his eyes when you feed him. It is walking him late at night in cold, rainy weather. It is cleaning up the messes she makes when she knocks over the trash. It is cancelling a long planned vacation because you cannot find a neighbor to feed her while you're away. It is having to pass up that great condo apartment because pets are not allowed. It means messing up your plans and disrupting your routine... to care for another. It means inconveniencing yourself, making sacrifices, and putting another's needs ahead of your own. It's a total commitment... just like a relationship with a woman.



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