Animals in Full Bloom

One of the happiest things about spring and summer is watching nature come to life in brilliant colors.  We typically plant our outdoor flowers and plants in late spring ~ hoping to avoid Colorado's heavy rains and winds and hail. This year, however, late spring/early summer found us traveling with no time to create our little garden.

Realizing that July is five minutes away we decided to forego the way we typically plant our flowers - those little six packs of blossoms putting them carefully in soil pot by pot. We made it easier on ourselves by purchasing already well-established flowers in full bloom planted in hanging baskets as well as a large pot of gorgeous blossoms for our front porch. 

What does this have to do with "The Meaning of Life" you ask?

This morning as I was grooming the baskets by carefully and gently pulling off the dead blossoms it occurred to me that there is a similarity between a full grown mature pot of flowers and a full grown mature cat or dog.

Most times the hard work has been done for you (if they are raised right). They may need a little grooming, they may be a little rough around the edges, but they are beautiful. All they need is some tender loving care, some time spent with them and they will blossom and reward you for a long time. Granted they may not be with you as long as a young plant ~ or a young puppy or kitten ~ but the rewards are even greater.

I love puppies and kittens!

Annie - 8 weeks old and available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter - Aurora, Colorado

But a passion of mine is finding loving homes for those who are maybe only a year old ~ or four years old ~ or six years old (like my puppies were when I adopted them) ~ or 10 or more!  As long as they are healthy they have a right to life! They are full of life and fun and joy and deserve loving homes, too! They are so often overlooked and it is a shame.

Benny - 1 year old and available for adoption at the Aurora Animal Shelter, Aurora, Colorado

These two have brought so much joy to my life.  

There's a dog or cat in full bloom out there just waiting for you, too.  Go get 'em!