If you're anything like me, pets play a huge part in your life. I've had pets ever since I was born, and I couldn't imagine life without them. They are there for me no matter what kind of mood I'm in or what kind of day I've had. They don't care what other people think of me; to them I'm amazing, and they're always ready to show me affection. Coincidentally, my pets all have one factor in common: they're rescues, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, this article isn't to say that pets you buy from a store or a breeder are anything to turn your nose up at (I'm sure they're amazing in their own respect), but, to me, there's something special about rescue pets. These are the pets that somebody has already turned away at least at once in their lives. They've endured hardships that animals bred for a store or raised by a breeder have never had to experience. Whether that means getting dumped in a river after their owners decided they couldn't handle that many pets (like my dog Buddy) or enduring sickness and starvation due to neglect from owners that simply don't care (like a good portion of my cats), these animals have experienced some horrible things.

By giving them a home, you're giving these animals a chance at a better life. You're giving them a life where they don't have to live in a cage, a life where they don't have to live life day by day, not knowing if they'll survive long enough to see the next, a life where they'll receive love and affection, a life where they can truly be happy.

Not only are you doing an amazing thing for these animals by giving them a home, but they always have so much love to give. The most recent cats we've adopted, Earl and Fanny, are the most lovely cats I have ever met. They constantly strive for affection, whether that means constantly rubbing themselves against my legs or jumping on my back or shoulders just to get my attention. It's easy to see why some owners call their pets their best friends.

It's heartbreaking to know that you can't help them all, that you have to come to terms with the fact that, yes, those kittens you see at your neighbor's house are adorable, but they'll probably succumb to an untreated illness within the next few months; yes, it's true, you can't adopt all the animals you see at the shelter, and you can only choose one; no, you can't save them all no matter how much you want to. But as long as you try to save animals, even if it's just one, that's something to be proud of.

I'm so grateful for all of my rescues.