Pets, more than just animals

Frank the cat died this week. He was 17 years old, and succumbed after living a pleasant life as companion of my sister, Jenelle.
He was the last of several feline friends Jenelle has had for years, including Frank’s brothers Jesse and Billy. While the two were named after the notorious James boys, neither had a mean bone in his body — nor did Billy the Kid — and were of great comfort to Jenelle. Frank’s loss would have been a blow anytime, but with a number of physical problems of late requiring prolonged hospitalization, it didn’t come at the best of times.
For years I would not have understood how emotional such an occurrence could be — until Angus came to our home on South Cottonwood last December. A Schnauzer 11 years of age, Angus has become a part of our family and is looked upon as more than a dog.
Frank was more than a cat. He was Jenelle’s little boy, who loved to be cuddled and made over — just by her. He was leery of anyone else, though in time he would warm a bit to members of her extended family.
Frank’s death came about because of old age. He shied from eating, even his favorite foods, and drank little toward the end. He lost mobility and could do little more than emit his singular meow.
I have had several cats over the years, but with a wife, children and grandchildren they were always an aside to family. Angus arrived with the nest bare except for the two of us, and took on a role similar to Frank’s.
Pets, those who study such things say, are an important part of life for many people. They always are there, always faithful, never argue and the better they are treated the more effusive they are.
We adopted Angus from ACARF — or, to be honest, he adopted us. I had known about the shelter in LaHarpe since it opened — even did a few stories — and now having reaped the rewards of what it does to connect man and beast I find myself frequently singing its praises.
I don’t know if Jenelle ever again will have a pet; it certainly will take her some time to get over the loss of Frank, as it would for anyone with such a long history with a four-legged companion. If she were to want another, ACARF certainly would be a good place to start.