LESSONS FROM PETS
Part 1

Pets offer an invaluable teaching opportunity for children. Basic tasks necessary to the pet’s survival and comfort are important. Aside from the lessons about responsibility, pets offer lessons about how to give of ourselves – how to open our hearts. This fully unselfish relationship allows our potential to blossom.

This type of relationship is second nature to children. The qualities in the relationship with a pet are the same qualities that strengthen relationships with people. The offerings of care and concern, time, assistance, and love nurture all relationships. All relationships are influenced by words, tone of voice and type of touch. Your child’s recognition of the qualities he has offered in his relationship with his pet empowers him. It makes tangible his capacity for nurturing, fun and fulfilling relationships.

Thoughtful conversations assist your child in recognizing the skills he or she brings to the relationship with his or her pet. Questions may include:

Allow your child to respond to your observation; if he has not noticed, offer an example of when that behavior of his pet occurred. Then add: “This tells me you have spent valuable time with (pet). He knows you care about him; he knows he can count on you. You have taught him about love.”