In my family, the animals are king. Growing up there was no family dinner that did not include finding a cat curled up on one of the dining room chairs or having the dog coax you into giving him food from your plate with his big, watery eyes. From celebration to devastation, our pets have been there with us through it all. They are always there to meet you at the door with a wagging tail and sloppy smile. They are there to walk on the pages of your book while you read in order to distract you from study. They are there to help you investigate every scary sound and weird noise. They are there to rub their noses on your face when you are crying. Our pets are always there.

As kids pets are our furry siblings. They play with us when we are silly, they guard us when we are vulnerable and they endure us when we are irritating. Our golden retriever, Murphy, took all manners of abuse from us kids. We tugged at his tail, dog-piled on top of him and dressed him up in scarves and toy antlers. But we loved him fiercely. We fed him treats, took him for long walks along the river, rubbed his chest and belly, and cuddled up with him on the couch. Our cats and dogs were our best friends… and they still are today.

When we moved to a house with property we began collecting animals. First came the two feral cats, Susan and Jane, who my step sister helped to rescue from certain death. Then the black cat, Lucifer (yes, that really was his name) my sister picked out from a box of barn cats at the local fair. I think she may have told my dad she had won him in a contest – I’m sure he protested but still, the cat came home. Then came the gray cat (who we called either Sebastian or Evil Gray Cat depending on his mood) who we saved from a neglectful owner. One by one their numbers grew in size. Quickly, we became outnumbered by dogs, cats, horses, chickens and the like.

When I was 18 and on my own for the first time I received a call from my step mum – she had found two other beautiful cats, aptly named Q and Zee (or as we called her “Pirate Eye” due to an ocular dark spot) to rescue from our local SPCA. Both were old, from different owners, and unlikely to be chosen for adoption over the many adorable kittens that also needed homes. One of them had been the pet of a lady who had died and the surviving family could find no other place for her but the shelter. So my step mum took her home. She found them in her search for our missing white cat Zeus (yes, we did have a theme going here) – an incredibly gentle and charmingly simple cat that we had acquired on another rescue mission. My step mum had been on an extensive hunt for him since he had gone missing. On the phone with her she tells me there’s this beautiful white cat with blue eyes that she found at the SPCA. He looked so much like Zeus she had thought she had finally found him. Sadly, Zeus would never return, but somehow this new cat, with its striking resemblance to our beloved and its sweet disposition, had to come home with us. My step mum told me that the one year old cat had been surrendered to the SPCA citing that he did not get along with other cats. I came down to the SPCA to meet him and saw his sweet face and felt his soft coat. My step mum whispered to me “I’ll pay the fees” and that was it, he came home with me.

When I moved back to my parent’s house a half a year later we waited to see how this new addition would handle the other cats. We were already skeptical of his previous owners who had said he was anti-social. They had de-clawed him (which made me suspicious of their pet ownership skills) and I often found him sleeping in the bath tub (which made me wonder if he had often been locked in the bathroom). True to his sweet nature, my cat came home to the property and was loving and social with the other cats. Sure, sometimes they would get in fights which would result in tuffs of white hair swirling in the hair. Nova would then go out to a tree or piece of bark to scratch his “nails” against (instinct intact) and look at his paws puzzlingly – “why aren’t my claws working?”.  Nova went on to become an integral part of our family and despite my protests was lovingly re-named “Lumpy” by the rest of the family. He even won over my dad, despite his resistance to having the house taken over by cats, as he would snuggle up to him while he was sick and affectionately knead his soft, clawless, paws into my father like a masseuse. This is life with animals – chaotic, furry, beautiful.

My love of animals has always stayed with me. Years later, I was there the day that my sister picked out her beautiful black Lab-Pitty pup, Neesha, from the back of a stranger’s van. It was the impromptu result of running into a local woman who was surprised to find her dog pregnant with puppies. We brought her home and watched her learn and grow, play and love. The first time we heard her bark we thought it was adorable (that changed) and in the early days she snuggled close to my sister and bonded with her so intensely (and that was something that would never change). There were many cats and dogs to love during those years and even a stray of my own to save – a beautiful Calico who my boyfriend and I found a forever home for.

I remember the first time I met my boyfriend’s dog – a Cane Corso who was a noble giant named Dog (trying yelling that name in a park and see the looks you get). He was 135lbs of pure muscle, lean and strong, and yet convinced he was a small dog that belonged in your lap. I remember the first time I asked to take his leash (thinking that I could handle a large dog) and instead chasing him down the block as he, in turn, led me. He was the embodiment of what dogs mean to us – they are our best friends. They become a part of our hearts. They are our family, our comedians, our supporters, our protectors. Although at first he was not sure of me (“really dad, do I have to listen to her?”) this gorgeous dog adopted me too and would not hesitate to put himself between me and any danger. He wanted nothing more than to be by my boyfriend’s side (one camping trip my boyfriend went out in a boat without him and the dog nearly had a heart attack pacing the river bank). The Christmas I brought home a surprise kitten, Merlin, for my boyfriend (“why is the box moving?”) the dog made room for him as well. Once Dog finally accepted that Merlin was not a squirrel (a rather long and intense evening) they began to love each other too. Despite their differences we would sometimes find them cuddled up asleep together.

The reality of having pets is this – their lives are painfully shorter than our own. We love them so fiercely and yet we know their time with us is brief. It is therefore our duty to ensure this time is meaningful, loving, respectful. It is our duty to ensure they are safe, well cared for, well nourished and free from harm. It is our duty to stand for these pets who stand for us without question. If you have ever looked into an animal’s eyes you know, without a doubt, they are looking back at you. They are our emotional, loving, devoted and silly friends. They give their love unconditionally and ask nothing more than to be by our sides. They are our family.

I hope that you have had the chance to experience the adventure of having a pet. The joy of going for a run with your dog or being curled up reading a book with your cat. I hope you have found these animals have incredible personalities, quirky traits and endearing qualities. And for all those animals that we love, that we care for, I ask you to remember there are many without homes, without food and veterinary care, without love. There are many who are hurt and abused. There are many who are hungry, thirsty, matted, and dirty. They need our support and they need our love.

If you are interested in getting involved I am raising much needed funds for the SPCA and Humane Societies. Although this is the online world if you live in downtown Vancouver, Abbotsford (or Langley if there is enough of you involved) my sister (the cupcake connoisseur) and I will bake you 4 cupcakes (delivery 23/24 Feb) for every $20 donation. If you live too far away you can still donate online (and I will happily eat the cupcake on your behalf). Check out my online bakery to get started (and you’ll also get a tax receipt!) http://support.spca.bc.ca/site/TR/CupcakeDay/Cupcake2014?px=1463981&pg=personal&fr_id=1581