The Gifts Animals Can Give

As an only child until 11 years old I had many lonely hours to fill. Whenever a dog lost his way or found himself without shelter he would follow me home from school or from the park. It didn't seem polite to refuse a lost animal a meal and a warm place to sleep for the night. </p><p>But one night usually turned into two and sometimes three. Just as we were beginning to be friends just as I was growing accustomed to being greeted at the steps when I returned from school with the wag of a tail someone in the apartment would complain. Someone would tell the landlord. </p><p>The story was always the same. I would return home from school and my companion my delightful pal would be gone. But I kept bringing strays home. </p><p>A lonely day was never quite as empty with a dog's nose nuzzling against my knee begging for attention. Some day I'm going to have as many animals as I want I promised myself. Years later when that some day arrived I did. And now I would like to bring them into your life as they came into mine. </p><p>