Furry Friends - Prompt 3/21

OUR FURRY FRIENDS

Whether it be a cat or a dog, a bunny or a turtle, or a fish...well, a turtle isn't exactly "furry"; neither is a fish!

But, many people have some kind of pet that lives with them as part of the family!

In my case, it's a cat; an almost-4-year old tuxedo cat we adopted when she was a little over a year old.

Midnight - on Adoption Day 9-19-13

{it didn't take her long to discover the bed!}

Midnight brings me love - unconditional love; she brings me comfort when I am sad or lonely or upset; she brings me happiness and joy when I watch her running across the room with her toys (or mine, when she discovers a roll of yarn or ribbon I let fall).

Midnight is a wonderful part of my life.

But, does my life depend on having her around?  I could say, "No, not really" ... but I would miss having her cuddling with me while I watch TV at night; I would miss having her stretch out beside the keyboard while I am writing or reading or surfing the 'net!

If Midnight wasn't around, if I didn't have a pet, I would find the unconditional love from my family members or friends; I'd find comfort and happiness and joy from others...

Yet, there are those whose life does depend on having a pet...well, not a pet; but an animal that helps "ground" them, that helps them with the normal, routine tasks of life.

A service dog to help in numerous ways in their everyday life.

While I am not that much of a dog person, I am a supporter of Patriot Service Dogs.  This non-profit organization raises puppies to be trained for a two-year period by "puppy raisers".  After the training, they are paired up with a disabled vet in need of the skills of that particular dog.

Sometimes, that need may be to pick things up, or bring things to them.  Or, to open or close a door; or even to just walk beside them to keep them from panicking.

Not long ago, I was able to spend a couple of nights with a puppy raiser, and watch as she trained him to "bring me a towel".  It just never occurred to me that something as simple as picking up a towel would be a challenge; yet, if you are wheelchair-bound, how would you?

Once the dogs and vets have been paired up, they go through a period of learning how to work together.  And, after graduating from this training, they are ready to begin their journey together.

I support this organization in the ways I am able to: by  attending a weekend retreat that is held as a fund-raising event.  It takes a lot of time and money - and supplies - to raise and train the puppies that will become the companions for disabled vets.

But they do a lot of other events, too; like during Christmas holidays, they visit a Veterans' Center with the dogs and wagons loaded with Christmas stockings for each vet.

Since becoming involved with PSD, I have been more aware of the needs of others, especially the disabled veterans.  I have been more aware of the difficulties of those in wheelchairs, or on crutches, or with walkers.  Not that I had no knowledge of these difficulties; but that it was just a deeper awareness of their needs.

So, while I spend an evening with my furry friend, cuddling with her or letting her stretch out beside me as I type this post...

There are many "out there" in need of a furry pet just so they can live their lives as "normally" as possible.

If you are interested in reading more about this organization, please check out there website here.