The First Pet: An Unforgettable Journey

My bond with my first pets has been as varied and as enthralling as the memories associated with them. These experiences not only shaped my childhood but also taught me valuable lessons about life and resilience.

My First Chicken: A Bittersweet Beginning

I may not have been a huge fan of chicken, but I do remember my first pet - a pink-colored baby hen. Sadly, it didn't last long as it passed away in just three weeks. In contrast, my sister's yellow baby hen grew up into a beautiful hen named 'Teen Hen' and one day, she went missing, leaving my family and me behind.

Sooty: The Unforgettable Feline

The highlight of my early years as a pet owner was Sooty, a black and white cat. Sadly, I can't relate his name to any passwords, but I can share his remarkable story. Despite being an indoor-outdoor cat, Sooty lived to an impressive age of 18 years. He was a daddy cat to all the wild creatures nearby, including German Shepherds and pigeons. However, his most notable (and terrifying) habit was gifting us dead or dying chipmunks and other local wildlife. Even though most of my friends and family were scared of him, I could easily cuddle with him every night, making him feel like a doll. Not only did Sooty teach me about the importance of being an indoor pet, but he also showed me how cats can form unique bonds with their owners, especially when they live their whole life by our side.

Tora: My First Japanese Cat

My second pet, introduced to me on June 26th, 2018, was a completely different ball game. His name, Tora, which means 'tiger' in Japanese, didn't reflect his appearance, despite 'tora' being a common name for tiger cats. Tora was not my first choice for a pet as I have a phobia of all animals. However, as a test, my family purchased a cute rabbit for that very purpose. One month into our rabbit's life, we named her 'Cookie,' and it's safe to say that Cookie was not just named; she was pampered. Despite her cuteness, our rabbit antics didn't go as planned. One morning, the milkman who was a close friend to Cookie, noticed that she was feeling lonely and thus decided to take her with him for company. Seeing Cookie being taken away was more than my young heart could handle, and I couldn't stop crying when I found out she was gone. Eventually, I and my father visited the milkman, and we successfully brought Cookie back home. However, after a brief reunion, my family and I decided that it was too stressful for me to care for a rabbit, especially during my 10th standard.

Cookie, or currently my rabbit to her family, truly is a treasure. She's not just a pet but a source of love and joy. Holding her and hugging her can instantly lift my spirits and bring a smile to my face in times of depression. And when I look at these cherished memories through Google photos, it only reminds me how much love and care we've all put into making her a part of our family.

Every pet holds a piece of our heart, and no pet is too small or too big when it comes to the love they give. So, if you find yourself feeling down or stressed, simply hug your pet, and the magic will be restored.