‘Twas the Year Our Pets Saved Us:
A Chewy Original Poem

By: Benedict CosgroveUpdated:

A watercolor painting by Chewy Studios of a woman with her cat and dog by a holiday tree.
Chewy Studios

‘Twas the Year Our Pets Saved Us: A Chewy Original Poem

Twas the year our pets saved us, a chewy original poem.'Twas the year full of questions, COVID, and doubt. For months we wore masks, indoors and out. Social distancing made us feel safe, but alone. Even our weddings were remote or postponed. While our kids went to school in ways unfamiliar, our own days and nights felt strained and peculiar. We binge-watched TV — the good, bad, and terrible. In short: this past year was barely bearable.Twas the year our pets saved us, a chewy original poem.'Twas the year full of questions, COVID, and doubt. For months we wore masks, indoors and out. Social distancing made us feel safe, but alone. Even our weddings were remote or postponed. While our kids went to school in ways unfamiliar, our own days and nights felt strained and peculiar. We binge-watched TV — the good, bad, and terrible. In short: this past year was barely bearable.Yet each time we felt at the end of our ropes — Lo and behold! — our pets raised our hopes. They offered relief for our cares and our worry, relief that was feathered, or scaly, or furry, or swam 'round and 'round in a tank without sinking, or sat by a heat lamp, unmoving, unblinking. Some of these critters are new family members. Some have been with us for days without number. Some were adopted as pandemic puppies. Some are ball pythons, or bunnies, or guppies. Honestly, though, species don't matter — the point is that pets make everything better.Yet each time we felt at the end of our ropes — Lo and behold! — our pets raised our hopes. They offered relief for our cares and our worry, relief that was feathered, or scaly, or furry, or swam 'round and 'round in a tank without sinking, or sat by a heat lamp, unmoving, unblinking. Some of these critters are new family members. Some have been with us for days without number. Some were adopted as pandemic puppies. Some are ball pythons, or bunnies, or guppies. Honestly, though, species don't matter — the point is that pets make everything better.So yes, while we must also sadly attest that at times, this year, we were not at our best, acting crabby and sullen and often cantankerous, (Pets: You have the pandemic to thank for this!) again and again, for reasons inscrutable, we got back to booping those dog snoots so boopable. We treated our cats to special cat treats. We taught new limericks to our old parakeets. We gave extra crickets to our cute bearded dragons. Even our fishes' tails started waggin'. We care for our pets — they need us, it's true. But deep down we know that we need our pets, too. Their antics make us laugh when we're tearful. They comfort the anxious, lonesome, and fearful. We need the sense that their presence provides us: The feeling that loved ones are always beside us.2020 tested us in myriad ways. Weeks felt like months, and hours felt like days. A new year approaches. Who knows what's in store? Who knows what fresh weirdness will barge through the door? But whatever may come, let's all take a minute to celebrate our world and the animals in it. A world without pets would be a cold, dreary place, like the ocean's dark floor, or the far depths of space. We have it in ourselves to shift our attitude and close out the year with a sense of gratitude. So in that spirit, friends, let's raise our voices, all: ‘Happiest of holidays — to creatures great and small!’So yes, while we must also sadly attest that at times, this year, we were not at our best, acting crabby and sullen and often cantankerous, (Pets: You have the pandemic to thank for this!) again and again, for reasons inscrutable, we got back to booping those dog snoots so boopable. We treated our cats to special cat treats. We taught new limericks to our old parakeets. We gave extra crickets to our cute bearded dragons. Even our fishes' tails started waggin'. We care for our pets — they need us, it's true. But deep down we know that we need our pets, too. Their antics make us laugh when we're tearful. They comfort the anxious, lonesome, and fearful. We need the sense that their presence provides us: The feeling that loved ones are always beside us.In a year of challenge and change, one thing that has never wavered is the mad love we have for our pets - and they for us. We hope this original poem makes you smile, knowing that whatever 2021 brings, our pets will always be by our side.2020 tested us in myriad ways. Weeks felt like months, and hours felt like days. A new year approaches. Who knows what's in store? Who knows what fresh weirdness will barge through the door? But whatever may come, let's all take a minute to celebrate our world and the animals in it. A world without pets would be a cold, dreary place, like the ocean's dark floor, or the far depths of space. We have it in ourselves to shift our attitude and close out the year with a sense of gratitude. So in that spirit, friends, let's raise our voices, all: ‘Happiest of holidays — to creatures great and small!’In a year of challenge and change, one thing that has never wavered is the mad love we have for our pets - and they for us. We hope this original poem makes you smile, knowing that whatever 2021 brings, our pets will always be by our side.
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By: Benedict CosgroveUpdated:

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