Houston McLaury-

Relaxing in my room amidst my blankets and my pillows, propped up like a king may sit upon his bed of luxuries of silk sheets and golden feathered pillows, I realize I am missing something. Not something needed for my coursework, no, everything I need for that is tucked away securely in my backpack and in the tin case that used to house Christmas treats beneath my bed. The only thing I am truly missing during this wonderful night on the Hill are my pets. In the summer, I was enraptured by their apt attention and their endless adoration.

Yet, here I find myself missing the mournful call of my cat, Nox, begging to be let outside to roam the backyards – a treat we rarely give him unless he is supervised. Then there’s my black cat, Sirius, who’s missing his two fangs because of age, who croons out with a ragged meow that suits him when he wants his treat at four in the morning. Even our German husky mix, Norman, who is still a puppy at heart after all these years, would wag his tail so happily each time I came home from work.

And yet, here at Gustavus, I miss them as I miss all of the comforts of home. I find myself uneasy as my cat’s usual mannerisms of disturbing my work at my desk by knocking trinkets off of my shelves have all but vanished. Even though they might have been slight annoyances – one cannot deny the charm of a cat bothering you for attention – or the full attention a dog gives when it wants something through its silent begging or loud barking demands. These little things help to motivate me in these endlessly turbulent times that we find ourselves in. And because of the comfort (both physical and mental) that our pets offer us, I believe that pets are a necessary companion we must find in our lives.

Now, what might I mean by the physical comforts that any number of pets may offer? Well, in every experience that I have come across concerning pets and people, oftentimes it adds another thing for the person to be responsible for. They have to care for it, by either giving it water, giving it food, or exercising with it by playing with or walking them. Through doing these things, the person has to take care of themselves. My cats at home, Nox and Sirius, have a strict routine that is carried out each day, lest my parents and I suffer their wrath. Each morning, anywhere between four and five in the morning, they require their morning treats. If we wish to sleep in on the weekend, our cats do not care. This keeps us on an early schedule, which I find I need during this college semester. And, yes, I do have an alarm clock that can wake me up, it can’t be admonished for waking me up, nor can I pet my alarm clock after quieting it. I mean, I can but that’s weird and I would never do that… More than once, anyway.

So what if pets can help you to wake up, what else can they do? Well, with the daily exercise these animals need, it helps to keep one physically active, or at the very least entertained if you’re dealing with a smaller pet. Going on walks with your pet is good for enjoying the pristine weather of the fall we are currently entering. Rather than going on TikTok or YouTube, simply playing with these pets can offer a greater distraction for people than some of those social media sites. In short, taking care of these animals requires a physical commitment from you, which helps to improve your physical state through waking up earlier, or by enjoying their company by walking and playing with them.

This links to the mental effects of having pets! By having these pets and taking care of them, you are in turn rewarded with their affection. Like cats lying next to you while you’re resting, or they offer a small reprieve when you’re overwhelmed with coursework. I have found great comfort in having my pets so close by when I was home and, further, being able to pet them and have them next to me during high-stress times always helped to calm me down. This mental effect of comfort and calmness is the best part of having a pet. There’s nothing better than having a cat purr or a dog wag its tail at your approach.

To all those who have never had a pet before, I urge you to look into getting one. The comfort that I constantly receive from my own back home is insurmountable to any comfort that I could ever hope for. To live is a great thing, but to live for something else, to ensure it lives a happy life, is so much greater than merely being. And hopefully, with the physical and mental benefits of getting a pet, the obvious route will be taken. In this world of rare comforts, do yourself a favor one day and look into adoption, if not for yourself, then to ensure a good life for a good animal.