Everyday Life With Our Pets
Even though my husband and I have two children, we consider ourselves as being, not just a family of four, but as a family of six, which includes our dog and cat. Like a lot of people, we consider our animals as members of our family. They have their own personalities that play into our family dynamic, make demands on our time, and I schedule their vet visits for yearly shots and take them to the doctor when they aren’t feeling well, just as I do for the rest of us. We remember their birthdays, take photos of them looking cute and buy them treats and toys. Santa even comes to visit them and we have been known to dress them up for Halloween! I will say that having pets even adds a touch of glamour to our lives.
How, you might ask, does having pets contribute to our “Everyday Glamour”? Let me count the ways!
Of course, they offer companionship. In good times and bad, our pets are there for us giving comfort and encouragement, without judgment or asking a lot of nagging questions.
Keep us fit. Dogs are terrific for getting us on that leash and taking us for a walk or run!
Keep us connected to our neighbors. A walk through town or in the park, stopping to smell the roses (or whatever!) gives us the opportunity to say “hi” to our neighbors and check out what’s going on in our communities. Even the youngest ones like to come up to pet the dog and have a conversation.
Teach our kids responsibility. No matter what’s going on, the fish still needs to have their tank cleaned, the litter box needs scooping, the birdcage needs to be cleaned and the dog needs a walk. Having pets is a great opportunity for our children to be involved in their care, and a chance to bond and learn the value of responsibility.
Many animals are used in therapeutic situations and have shown the ability to aid in the healing of emotional and physical handicaps. I know dogs and horses have been especially helpful in this area and there are many volunteer opportunities to get involved with, if you are interested. Helping others is a cornerstone of living a glamorously fulfilling life.
So, thanks to our dog, Sadie, and our cat, Sassy, we enjoy a big dose of glamour every day! Enjoy time with your pets!
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Lee Ann Brown is the author and creator of the Glamour Survival Guides lifestyle philosophy brand, whose mission is “Redefining Glamour: Your guides to living the glamorous life anywhere, at any age, on any budget”. It was only after several years of working as a model in Atlanta, New York, Miami and Japan, and coming back home to settle down and raise a family, that she realized what living glamorously was really all about, and enjoys sharing her lessons learned through her work and website 
