Vin Brocki: Blogging

At some point in my life, I stopped owning a pet and started working for one. I’ve learned to open doors on command, dish out snacks whenever hunger strikes, and belly-scratch like a trained masseuse. Time is measured in vet visits and cans of Fancy Feast. And somehow, a little furry creature who doesn’t care about your past becomes firmly, and lovingly, entrenched in your present.

Unconditional love is a difficult concept to grasp, because much of our life is transactional in nature. When pets enter our lives they do so without guile or pretense, so they become cherished parts of our existence. In a world that so often asks us to prove our worth, their simple, unwavering presence feels like a kind of quiet miracle.

The hardest part is knowing that our pets will probably pass on before we do. Sometimes illness or injury strikes without warning; other times it is old age that takes a toll. And then you face that impossible kindness: letting them go before they needlessly suffer. The heartbreak is seismic. And still, we do it. We always do it, because they gave us everything.

Yes, it breaks your heart. But having a pet means you get to witness a kind of love that’s as pure as it is hairy. They come into our lives, demand treats, rearrange our furniture, and then leave pawprints on our soul.

And if that’s not worth it, I don’t know what is.

Vin Brocki, Erie, PA, USA

May 25, 2025