Infertility for the Petless

As I was driving home from work today I realized that I now know what it must feel like to be infertile in my own way.

The last stretch of my drive passes by Moon Valley Park where, invariably, I will see someone with their dog, either enjoying a nice stroll or playing a game of fetch. I find myself staring out the window longing to see that human/canine companionship only to harbor feelings of delight, then resentment, then depression when I do.

My pet owning hopes have been dashed, at least for the next seven months, as my landlord reaffirmed his no-pet policy after I finally asked him if he would reconsider so I could get a kitty. I was proud of myself for finally abandoning the dog idea and had conceding and enthusiastically accepted the idea of getting a kitty instead.

Oh well it's probably for the best.

But I'm reading a wonderful book right now called "Animals in Translation" by Temple Grandin, an autistic animal scientist, who connects the way animals and those with autism similarly process information and behave. This passage explains why I'm so obsessed with animals, why I think babies are overrated compared to animals and why it's so painful and difficult for me to be without them.

"Animals aren't ambivalent; they don't have love-hate relationships with each other or with people. That's one of the reasons humans love animals so much; animals are loyal. If an animal loves you he loves you no matter what. He doesn't care what you look like or how much money you make."