FOXSYLVANIA

–Those who do not share their lives with animals are frequently surprised by those of us who do so with more than one of a single species; why should anyone choose to have, for example, more than one cat?  The answer is that no two animals are alike, and each has a distinctive and discernible personality; they are not interchangeable, cookie-cutter life forms. Animal behavior also reflects the individual’s unique personality.  Multiple animals additionally interact with one another in ways that are frequently entertaining.  I live with three very different cats and one dog, each of which has distinctive traits and attributes.  Four is my personal limit, while for others it might be even more; this does not, however, justify acquisition of dozens of pets, at which point the person might be termed a “collector.”

I don’t really like to think of myself as a pet “owner,” but rather a caretaker or steward of them.  One does not or should not “own” another living creature, but rather share life and space with our fellow life forms, benefitting from the mutual association.