Having pets has been one of the most valuable parenting tools ever. They’ve taught my kids responsibility, they’ve taught my kids respect for personal space, they’ve taught my kids about unconditional love and trust, they’ve taught my kids about taking care of those who can’t take care of themselves. Every day that the kids spend with the pets is another day, another lesson learned.

It’s also given them a sense of compassion that sometimes surprises me. Yesterday I was reading Little House On The Prairie to my daughter, and when we got to the part where they cross the creek and lose their dog Jack (temporarily, but we read a chapter at a time, and Jack coming back is in the next chapter), my daughter cried bitterly about the loss of Jack. It was all I could do not to tell her Jack comes back in the next chapter, but I can’t wait for her surprise when I read her the next part tonight!