How Our Pets Became Part of the Family

I never cared about dogs before and was opposed to bringing one home. But my daughter compelled us and we brought Bruno home on May 2nd, 2014. He was just 21 days old. I started loving him from the very first day. Bruno was very naughty; he used to pee everywhere in the house, on the bed, and on the floor. Despite my initial hesitation, I quickly realized that he was a bundle of joy and a true member of my family.

The Early Days

The same day we brought our pets home, they went through an acclimation process, just as humans do. For Pandora, surprisingly, it took less time than it did for James. I always make sure to treat every family member, whether they have two or four legs, with the same kindness and love.

Some dogs adapt to family life more quickly than others. This can depend on the dog's personality and their background. Each dog is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. But for me, it partly depends on the dog and their personality, especially if they are young like Bruno, who needed time in a crate to get house-trained.

Puppy Integration

Puppies typically take longer to become part of the family due to the training process involved. At our house, we often crate train them to ensure they have a designated space. This means they spend more time in their crate initially until they are house-trained and can be trusted to ask to go outside. For example, last year we adopted a 3-year-old Chocolate Labrador, and she fit right in. After a couple of days, she was already part of the family.

Unforgettable Pet Stories

In 2008, on my way back from school, I saw a fluffy golden tabby cat perched on the walls of our building. She wasn't like other cats; she wasn't afraid or shy, and just wanted to be pet. From the start, she was friendly. I began feeding her and petting her, and she quickly started butting her head against me, seeking more attention. My mother, who was staunchly against the concept of a pet, had a sudden change of heart. She became the cat's biggest fan and adored her like anything.

My mother paid the most attention to her, and one fateful day, they went out together. The cat didn't want to be left behind and kept escaping, even walking with us to the main road. My mother was worried that she might get run over, so she waited for about 10 minutes to ensure she was safe. This moment changed my mother's outlook and her behavior towards the cat. She began treating her as if she were her own child; whenever the cat wasn't found near our home, my mother became very anxious. She was the apple of our eye, and she knew it.

These stories highlight how pets can become part of the family through time, patience, and the unconditional love they bring into our lives. Whether it's a dog or a cat, they all have unique ways of integrating into our families and making our lives more fulfilling.