If I Didn't Have Animals - Paws N Reflect

If I Didn’t Have Animals

If I Didn’t Have Animals is an anonymous poem about the perks of having a pet. “How empty my life would be!” sums up the poem’s theme.

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like the kennels.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree — dog bones, stuffed animals, nor would I have to answer to people why I wrap them.
I would not be on a first-name basis with three veterinarians.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would NOT be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, or W-A-L-K.
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog ties them down too much.
I’d look forward to spring and the melting of snow instead of dreading mud season.
I would not have to answer the question: “Why do you have so many dogs/animals” from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.