Today I am grateful for the creature comfort of pets. We have a 13 year old cat named Ezekiel Butters (Zeke for short) and 2 year old, Greyjoy the Rabbit. To be honest with you, this cat is a jerk but there are times when he can be sweet and kind. Other times he’s a blank blank.

Zeke came to us by accident – we were coming home and heard this pitiful meowing. We looked under a car and there he was – he was a kitten, with a busted tail and covered in fleas. Originally the plan was to feed him and walk away but it didn’t pan out that way. I think there’s a proverb about once you save someone you are responsible for that being – well my husband took that to heart. At one time we had 4 cats but now only Zeke remains. And as crazy as he makes me I am sure my heart will hurt when he is no longer with us…don’t tell anyone I said that. I appreciate that this cat has a healthy fear of me.

I once had a rabbit named Bonanza Jellybean. I got her in college and she was with me for 10 years. When she passed I was devastated for a long time. A few years back, my oldest daughter wanted a white mouse. I wasn’t too keen on the idea but her 10th birthday was coming up – her foray into the double digits and it had to be special. We use to live in near this pet store we’d sometimes go into. We had seen white mice in the window and on this day – the day before her birthday – I solely walked in with the intention to browse but then we set eyes on Baby Greys and all instantly fell in love.

There’s something magical about the unconditional love of a pet. Zeke is loyal to my husband and Greys loves my girl – you can see it in the way they gaze at the human they’ve claimed as their own. Sometimes I steal Greys from her room and sit on the couch, cuddling him. He’s very cuddly. My oldest keeps after Greys and my youngest is in charge of cleaning up after Zeke. When she hits 10 we said we’d discuss a pet of her own with her. Pets are great and a stress reliever at times and wonderful companions in moments of quiet.