Pets love their people unconditionally. As a veterinarian, I see their unconditional love displayed in a variety of ways. Most of my patients still like me even after an uncomfortable treatment. I am amazed by how many dogs wag their tail for me after I vaccinate them. Cats often rub their faces on me and purr after I take their temperatures. And then there is the bond between pets and their people…
Last week, a wonderful cat named Mat lost his fight with cancer. Mat didn’t really like coming to see me. He would complain loudly when I examined him. When I listened to his heartbeat through my stethoscope, his heart raced. It raced until he saw Brian. When Mat heard Brian’s voice or saw his face, his heart rate slowed and he started to purr. Brian loved Mat and Mat dearly loved Brian. It was clearly a match made in heaven.
So today I would like to celebrate the human-animal bond. Seldom has it been expressed so beautifully as between Mat the cat and his best friend Brian.
