in praise of four-leggeds
by melissa stanz

I learned to love animals as a baby.

My first toys were stuffed animals (not literally!). I grew up with cats and dogs. I yearned for my own horse, not getting one, but petting every horse within arm’s reach. I realized at a very young age that four-legged creatures were easy friends and great companions. They gave and received love without questions, they endured my temper tantrums, let me hug them too tightly, became my most lively playmates.
Through the years, I’ve rarely been without an animal. To me, they are wise, they speak volumes without human voices, they love unconditionally and they let me love them. In times of joy and sorrow, they’ve been there, licking away my tears, wrapping themselves around me, sitting in my lap, and comforting me. They have run with me in the woods, celebrating anything and everything.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of cats—four of them—each named Pepé Le Moco LaPue. Each cat was Siamese, one arriving soon after the last one died. One arrived on Christmas morning, a small kitten playing among the presents under the tree. All of them were lovers, keepers of secrets, comforters, and my best friends.
I also grew up with dogs. One special dog we named General, after my mom (that’s what my dad used to call her!). General came to us from the golf course, a stray that had been horribly beaten. My dad brought him home, starved, scared, lonely. A terrier mix, he gave us all unconditional love, followed me faithfully everywhere I went on my fat-tired bike, waited patiently outside for hours while I played with friends. Even after he was hit by a car he continued to follow me everywhere. Many times, as a result of his car accident, he would lose his balance and go rolling, but he always jumped up and caught up with me.

Two of the loves of my life, Lloyd and Cynthia, spent 15 years with me. These two Siamese cats, brother and sister, moved four times with me, spent countless hours in my lap, disturbing my reading, lying on my computer keyboard, sleeping on the bed (much to the chagrin of my husband), speaking in those oh-so-distinct voices. Lloyd was the lover. Nicknamed Plush due to his large size, he allowed me to love him, but oddly, never wanted to sit on my lap. Cynthia, the huntress, enjoyed bringing live mice into our bedroom, usually around 2 a.m., to toy with them. We would wake up to small thumps, then tap, tap, tapping, realizing she was throwing the mouse around the room! I can’t count how many mice we saved from her, but we picked up countless mouse parts around the house too. Cynthia demanded attention on her terms—she was strange and wonderful, the classic definition of a scaredy-cat, always alert. Although they have been gone for more than four years now, I still grieve for them both.

Today I share my life with two four-leggeds. My dog, Walden, a chocolate lab, and an Arabian horse, Booker. Walden, a classic happy-go-lucky lab, is always thrilled to see me, whether I’ve been gone a week or 10 minutes. He lives for love, food, and walks, not necessarily in that order! His soulful golden eyes, wagging tail, and strange habits (like being scared to death of thunder and turtles) have etched themselves into my heart. Besides, who else will throw back their head and howl with me at will?!
And then there’s Booker. Alert, always ready to go, curious, sometimes unpredictable,

and a people pleaser, he carries me on his back to places few people ever see, allowing me to combine my love of animals with my love of the outdoors. He is my teacher, my friend, and my mirror.

I cannot imagine life without animals. I cannot imagine why anyone could mistreat them. They give so much and ask so little. I am grateful for them in my life. Thank you Spirit, for the four-legged creatures.

Melissa Stanz, MA, is a freelance writer, editor, and marketing communications professional in Asheville, NC. She creates communications plans, and writes copy for newsletters, web sites, brochures, press releases, ads and other print and broadcast materials for a variety of local and national clients. She serves on the Board of the Asheville Humane Society to express her gratitude for animals in her life. She loves to be outside walking with her husband, her chocolate lab, or riding her horse in the magical WNC mountains.
[ melissastanz@bellsouth.net ]