Our Dog Maizy.

For those of you who do not know, last summer, my family and I adopted a pit bull puppy, who we quickly christened Maizy. She is incredibly near and dear to my heart, and as I write this post, I am sitting on the couch next to her. I love to lay down with her, and rest my head on her belly while she basks in the sun outside in our backyard. She is everything to my parents and I.

 When I was younger, I did not like dogs—however, while I was an adult and in college, my parents decided to adopt a yellow lab named Bentley. This changed my opinion about dogs completely and totally. I eventually became incredibly close with him, and was devastated when he passed away in the spring of 2022. To fill the void, we ended up getting Maizy.

 For as long as I can remember, I have always loved animals. I grew up with primarily cats in the house, and was fairly young when my sister got her first dog, Phyllis. Since then, we have adopted multiple dogs and cats. Even though felines will always be my favorite animals, I cannot help but admire the devotion and love that dogs almost always direct toward their owners.

 I truly feel that one of the best ways to get to know someone is to examine how they act toward their “inferiors,” which means that the way some humans treat animals can often be incredibly revealing. I personally feel that animals were put on this earth to happily live out the duration of their lives, without being exploited or mistreated by human beings.

 When I look in Maizy’s eyes, I see unconditional love and adoration. I know that she trusts me, and values the bond that we share. She has made my life so much better, and in return I like to care for her and look after her as much as I can. Whenever we get back from a vacation, I always look forward to seeing and interacting with her, and I miss her when we are separated.

 Being partially responsible for the welfare of an animal has been incredibly rewarding for me. In a way, it is like having a child. There is something that is just so enriching about caring for someone you love. The way my parents look after Maizy almost reminds me of the way they supported me during my childhood. One day, of course, I hope to have children of my own.

 I have heard of studies, which basically mention that human beings are healthier and happier if they have cherished pets in their lives. There is just something about the bond between animal and human that is so strong, and so rewarding. If you are going through something challenging, I would highly recommend having a feline or canine friend by your side, to ease you through the pain. For as long as I can remember, there have been animals in my house, and Maizy is just our latest addition.

 To conclude, I truly feel that, without Maizy, my life would simply not be the same. I am incredibly grateful to my parents for adopting her. She is one of my favorite pets we have ever owned, and because she is so young, I anticipate enjoying her companionship for years to come.

Me cuddling with Maizy.