What a thought provoking thread!

In my whole life I have only had one dog. She was an all black miniature poodle, one of a litter of seven. Her siblings lived with us as well - but she knew that she had my heart. I had her for far too short of a time and I was shattered when I lost her.

My next love was Suger - an all white - long haired kitty that I loved dearly for 18 years. It took me months to even be able to say his name after he was gone. He was my little soul mate.

My next kitty was one that my husband and I adopted. It was supposed to be "his" cat because Sugar had been mine for so long. But when it was all said and done - Patches was truly mine and we had a heart connection as well.

Then along came Magic - all black - long haired - and one of the sweetest cats I have ever known. The communication between us was amazing. Talk about love being shown by an animal - goodness - it was so sweet it almost hurt. Magic had just "shown up" in my yard at around nine months - and I lost him to cancer when he was 13.

Right before I lost Magic, Rascal again "just showed up" and it was clear he was going to live with me. He practically showed me in every way possible that I had no choice in the matter.

I will never regret taking him in............

And then Annie and Emma were more or less dumped on me by my neighbor. And here I am with three orange kitties.

I have learned that whatever you put into an animal you get back a thousand fold. But it takes time.........you have to be consistent and persistent. Annie and Emma were offspring of a stray - so they were somewhat wild..........but three years later I have utter devotion from them - and finally complete trust.

Do we ever love them too much? I don't think that is possible. They deserve every last drop you can give them.

The most difficult part is of course, saying goodbye..........but have we really parted? How could a pet that has given you so much love and purrs and headbumps and fun - ever leave you? They are firmly locked in my heart and I know that I am in theirs.