Pets and Happiness

Man's best friend is not a dog.  However a pet can be a "true friend" (see my previous blog on "Friends and Happiness").   In my opinion, many of us should have a pet that makes us happy.  The problem is - are you ready for the commitment?

Our dog, Zita, was named after My wife Ellen's aunt Zita.  I named her Zita even though I never met the real Zita.  The reason I did so was because Ellen's entire family loved Zita - she was a true "loved one" (again, see my previous blog on "Friends and Happiness").  Zita was a rescue dog that needed a lot of love.  Naming her after a "loved one" allowed us to see her in a loving way.

Zita (our dog) is a "true friend" because she has delivered on the three most important elements of a "true friend."  She is there for us.  When we come home, she is waiting for us with her tail wagging trying so hard to give us a big kiss.  When Ellen had an operation she knew something was wrong and stayed by her side.  If someone tried to hurt us, Zita would risk her life to protect us.

Zita wishes us well and wants us to be happy.  When she sees us sad, she seems depressed.  When she see us happy, she is full of excitement and wants to play.  Lastly, she is the source of positive energy.  She wants us to be happy because it makes her happy.  She is never negative (unless we are negative).  When we are down, being able to hug her brings us up.  Zita, by all definitions is a true friend.

Zita is very smart, but the truth is that even the smartest dog is no smarter than a three year old child. If you ever had or took care of a three year old child you know it's a big commitment.  Having any pet is a commitment.  Ellen and I can't run off to Las Vegas when we want - we have to plan ahead to make sure Zita is taken care of.  We have to be available if she gets sick.  We have to walk, feed and play with her.  Is she easier to care for than a three year old human child - yes.  However, loving her is a commitment.

The answer to the commitment problem is - am I getting back more than I'm giving?  Does my pet make me happy?  Am I getting positive energy from my pet?  By the way, you can ask the same questions about your three year human child.  If the answer to these questions is YES, your commitment problem is solved.  Ellen and I are happy to commit to Zita.

If the answer to the above questions is NO, you are committed whether you like it or not.  Deciding to have a pet or a child is a commitment you make before they arrive.  You won't know the answers to the above questions before they arrive. It could go either way (YES or NO).  Sooo, like it or not, unless you are a heartless soul, you are committed.  Are you ready for that?  If not don't get a pet or have a child.

What if is the answer is NO?  My blogs are about happiness.  As I stated in other blogs, finding happiness, in a not so happy situation, is critical to your happiness.  I stated, if you are not happy with your job - see it as a means to an end.  If you are not happy in your relationship - make a change or focus on the parts of the relationship that makes you happy.  If you are not happy with your financial situation - remember "you will always have food to eat, air to breath, and shelter - everything else is cosmetic."

Focus on your happiness not on the things that make you unhappy.  Focus on the negative will never make you happy.  If your pet (or child) makes you unhappy, focus on the other things in your life that do make you happy.  Your are committed so make the best of a bad situation.  The more you find ways to focus on the things that makes you happy, the happier you will become.  The more you are happy, the more positive energy will be in your life.  The more positive energy in your life, the happier you will become. 

Happiness begets happiness.  Positive energy begets positive energy.  Be the source of positive energy.