So this year, several little critters I call family went to sleep for the last time. April rat was put down earlier this year because of a tumor that was just eating away at her. A few months later, Cabby, the royal princess/pain of my ex's herd of guinea pigs passed. Soon after, I found out my family's cat Cookie, at 16 years, was put down and the next day my rat Janie had to be put down as well. I thought that was it, but today, I found out our little blind and deaf pygmy guinea pig Cici had to be put to rest due to several issues with her mouth. It was likely she wouldn't survive the necessary surgery so Kayla made a decision. Lord knows it wasn't an easy one but it was overall the right one. Even if she did survive the surgery, the ensuing treatments would have just been hell on her.

I know some people might think it silly of me to be so sad over lost pets, but each of those little lives were very important to me. I sit here with tears welling up in my eyes over those lost lives but I am grateful that they were a part of mine. There are far too many people who think the only lives that matter are human lives. I truly feel sorry for those people because they don't know the unconditional love of pets.

I know it seems lame of me to do this, but it's fitting, I think. There are humane societies, rescues, hospices and several place of the like that have animals that need loving homes. Dogs and cats need homes, no doubt, but don't discount the little ones. The hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and rats. They can all be very loving and friendly little critters. Adopt a pet. They need as much love as anyone else, maybe even more.