Member-only story
The Healing Power of Pets
My journey with fur companions
My first dog wasn’t even my own, she was a neighbor's dog. I would spend hours with Heather, she was like a babysitter. She was a Norwegian Elkhound, with pointed ears and soulful eyes. I would talk to her, pet her, and play alongside her for many happy years. I got along better with Heather than any of the kids in my neighborhood.
Until Heather had to move. My first dog was gone and it wouldn't be until I was an adult that I would have another one.
That’s when Izzy, came into my life. Izzy was the perfect cat, she would let me pet her, hold her, and play with her. She was a lot like Heather, tolerant of my exuberance. As I got older Izzy was always there, sitting alongside me as I played or read books.
She had a penchant for sleeping on the top of the door when it was open. How she managed to balance her body on a narrow door I will never know. I have heard cats are either tree or bush dwellers. Izzy was a tree dweller, perched up high like a panther in the wild up in a tree.
Izzy was part, if not all, Maine Coon, these cats have strong personalities, are highly intelligent, and can be a bit on the wild side. When she was young this was true, Izzy constantly got out. As we both got older she calmed down.
