Pet Love — One Size Fits All, or Does It?

By Elizabeth Benson

 

Here we are in the month of love, though for pet parents, every day with our animals are days filled with love. Animals often give us more love than we sometimes experience from humans, heck, that’s what makes animals so amazing, unique and let’s be honest – addictive.

According to The 5 Love Languages® , the five love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Every experienced pet owner knows each breed has its own special language. For example….

  • Chihuahuas express love by chasing away all intruders, including the UPS guy, the mailman, and the FedEx driver.
  • MinPins show their unique love by letting you know that anything on the floor is fair game for a quick pee. They also will let you know that they will bite if picked up, even though you are the one who feeds them.
  • Pit Bulls express their love by excessive kissing, licking, and snorting good fun. Although you might assume they will keep the house safe, the Chihuahua has already filled the position and the Pit Bull knows it.
  • Golden Retrievers have no idea about personal space and rightly so. Any moment not glued to their person’s side is a moment lost.
  • Great Danes love according to their size and there is no space too small for them to express just how much.
  • Rottweilers’ love is mobile and it’s right here right now! In your lap, in your face. Just HERE.
  • The Yorkshire Terrier loves to give you mixed messages about wanting to be picked up and then wanting to be put down.
  • The Pug’s love is directly tied to their food, and yours.
  • The Hound’s love is one big sloppy mess, evidence of which can be found throughout the home.
  • The German Shepherd’s love expression is directly tied to barking for extended periods of time for no apparent reason. You don’t know why they are barking, and neither do they.
  • The Beagle’s stubborn yet dedicated nature has them loving their person in private while in social situations they could belong to whoever seems the most likely to feed them.
  • The Labrador loves relentlessly all people, all times, in all places, with a hint or pure insanity.
  • The mixed breed is the game changer, not following any rules, nor aligning with any breed. They are the true individuals who make us work just that bit harder to figure out but, when we do, boy, is it a love-fest!

We would be remiss without mentioning our other furry friends of the feline variety. Cats are not the same – and goodness knows there is not enough room here to cover the magnitude of variations of expressions of love from the feline kind. Mostly it is their ability to tune into our vibration and show up unannounced and flop into our laps right when we need them, giving the Pit Bull a whack on the head along the way, while configuring world domination as they ignore yet another unique protein purchase that put your bank balance in the red. Yes, cats love as cats love and it is not to be expected, it is to be received and cherished.

Whatever your breed, however you came to have the pack you have or if you just have eyes for the one animal you love, we can all agree that animals are easy to love, easy to be with, and impossible to say goodbye to.

Dr. Benson started Paws into Grace in 2007. She wanted to give pets and their parents a beautiful last encounter that didn't have to be in an unfamiliar office where pets were often frightened. The empathy she shows each family creates a lasting impression on them. In her free time, Dr. Benson enjoys running and spending time with her family, dogs, cats, and chickens.

  

Testimonials

I can't recommend them enough. I had to say goodbye to my 21 year old cat companion. I read the reviews here on Yelp and chose Paws Into Grace and they made an unbearable situation not worse - from the people on the phone to the amazing doctor who... read more

Renee C.

My absolute love Dante had heart failure three months ago. After having him on many medications to help him, his enthusiasm and appetite declined last couple of days. He was in pain and we decided to help him go to heaven rather than torturing him... read more

Diane C.

I wanted to thank you for sending Dr. Brown to euthanize our beloved Myleigh on March 4, 2021. She was compassionate and accommodating, she explained every step of the procedure, and gave us some alone time with Myleigh after she sedated her, but... read more

Terry A.

Renee C.

I can't recommend them enough. I had to say goodbye to my 21 year old cat companion. I read the reviews here on Yelp and chose Paws Into Grace and they made an unbearable situation not worse - from the people on the phone to the amazing doctor who came out to the house. She was so understanding and supportive. They were all so helpful, understanding and nice. My girl got to stay at home and say goodbye in the backyard (a hummingbird flew over and it seemed like a good sign too). So glad I didn't have to take her to a cold vet office.

Diane C.

My absolute love Dante had heart failure three months ago. After having him on many medications to help him, his enthusiasm and appetite declined last couple of days. He was in pain and we decided to help him go to heaven rather than torturing him with more medications which would make him even more miserable. I called and spoke to a very kind lady who was patient as I cried through making an appointment. We made an appointment for 1:30pm. Dr. Toni arrived. She was very kind, explained everything to us and gave us the time to be with our boy after the first shot. He wasn't relaxing enough so she gave him a second shot. We stayed with him throughout the entire process and I carried him to her car in the end. It was a very difficult decision but knowing that our boy is not in pain, gives us some peace. We are thankful to Dr. Toni for her kindness and compassion. They will arrange the cremation for us. Since we are in a pandemic, we had our masks on and said goodbye to our boy in our garden.

Terry A.

I wanted to thank you for sending Dr. Brown to euthanize our beloved Myleigh on March 4, 2021. She was compassionate and accommodating, she explained every step of the procedure, and gave us some alone time with Myleigh after she sedated her, but before she attached the IV. We were relieved that we made the decision to let her go to doggy heaven at home. It was a tranquil and serene passing for her, and it very much aids us in the grieving and healing process knowing that she passed away so peacefully. Based on the grace and compassion Dr. Brown demonstrated on one of the most awful days of our lives we would not hesitate to recommend Paws Into Grace for others facing this very painful time.
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