Animals have it made. Their people make the rules, but if
a rule is broken—such as a puddle on the floor, claw marks on the drapes or a
chewed-up slipper—all is soon forgiven. After all, how much does a little dog
or cat understand about the great big world?
As up-right, up-tight thumb-toting creatures, people are
the only ones capable of figuring out how to survive in a complex world,
and we have gobs of electronic apps to prove it. We motorize, harmonize,
polarize, synchronize and subsidize. We fuss, stress and overreact on a regular
basis while our pets keep a cool head.
Ironically, it’s our pets who make us smile, bring our
blood pressure down and teach us the real laws of nature—respect, thankfulness,
joy and peace. They have it, we want it. Just by being around our pets, we
learn how to be better people. Writing them into our stories makes us all
happy.
I love to write about animals. My latest book, Scent of a
Swindle deals with a menagerie of animals living on the white carpets of
Prunedale.
If you don’t have a pet to love, just contact your local
SPCA. They have a variety of dogs and cats (skip the alligators) who are willing and able to give you
their respect, gratitude and unconditional love.
