Growing up, one of my earliest memories is of my dog Buffy. He was this huge mutt, perhaps six feet tall—or at least, to me, he felt that big. In reality, he was about the size of a Border Collie. He was very fluffy with brown and white fur and had one of the best demeanors for kids. I used to go running with him around our Christmas tree farm for hours or ride in my dad’s pickup with him sitting on the floor, keeping my feet warm. I have a younger brother and sister, but to me, Buffy was my other sibling—my big brother.
My son playing with dogs at the farm
My maternal grandfather also had two dogs, Tanya and another whose name escapes me now. They were loyal companions
Ella is weird at times, but she makes us laugh
who followed him everywhere, guarding his property and his family. A little later, my paternal grandmother had Jenny, a beautiful black lab who became an instant playmate whenever we visited. We spent hours in her large yard, shaded by giant pine trees, tossing sticks and running until we were all worn out. Her cat, Bridget, had the opposite energy. She spent her days napping on the big bay window at the front of the living room, soaking up the sunlight as though it were her only purpose in life.
What am I trying to say here? Animals. They have always been a deeply ingrained part of my life. It’s one of the reasons I decided to work for a year in a veterinary clinic, where I learned firsthand the dedication it takes to care for animals in need. As a teen, I rode horses and volunteered at animal shelters, discovering how much joy and purpose animals bring to our lives. We also made frequent trips to the Columbus Zoo, where I was mesmerized by the exotic creatures I could only read about in books. These experiences taught me to appreciate life in all its forms and to respect the creatures with whom we share this planet.
Now that I’m a dad, I strive to pass those lessons on to my children. I’ve taken my older boys to the zoo their entire lives. They’ve spent countless hours with the dogs on
Our cat learns to adapt to our new daughter
the farm and have developed a love/hate relationship with at least one of our cats at home. The other cat, Ella, is impossible not to love—her warm cuddles make her a favorite.
With Maya, our youngest, we are continuing the tradition. We take her to the farm to spend time with the miniature horses and dogs, introducing her to the wonder of animals from an early age. Regular trips to the zoo have become a family staple, and at my mother’s home in Montana, the dogs and cat are always part of the visit.
With the horses at the farm
While I don’t expect my children to share the same deep love for animals that I have, I do hope they learn to appreciate and respect them. I want them to observe, study, and understand how animals live so differently from us. More importantly, I hope they see the role they can play in preserving the balance of this world. By learning to care for and coexist with animals, they’ll discover the changes they can make—not just to their own lives but to the lives of the creatures around them.
Animals teach us empathy, patience, and wonder. If my kids take even a fraction of those lessons to heart, I’ll consider it a success.
