In the world of television streaming services, it’s pretty easy to get sucked in, isn’t it? Man, there are a
lot of options out there.
It’s dizzying sometimes.
I recently found Family Ties, the sitcom from the 80s. Oh, the nostalgia.
Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory, Jennifer and eventually little Andrew. I have to tell you, there’s something
about escaping into the half-hour world of each episode and sharing the trials and tribulations of the
Keaton family.
It’s part retreat from real life and part reminiscence.
So, as is the way with me, as I’m watching, I had a question about Michael J. Fox and I reached for good
old Google.
I was talking to my dad the other day and we asked each other what we did before we had Google at
our fingertips. Dad thinks we remembered more information. I have to admit, he may have a point.
At any rate, when I did my Google search, I stumbled upon an interview with Michael J. Fox where he
discussed his continuing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He had apparently broken his arm a few years ago and was alone and had to wait by himself for the
ambulance. The entire experience had him pretty down and he struggled to come back from it.
The interviewer made a point to say that it would be odd to have a Michael J. Fox who was not
optimistic.
Michael laughed and credited his wife, his kids and…his dog for getting him past it.
I had you going there wondering how this was going to come around to animals, didn’t I?
Michael apparently rescued a pup, named Gus, and to hear him talk about him made me realize he gets
it.
He said that no matter how bad things get, the animal is with you, the animal understands and that’s
what he calls a “force multiplier.”
I’ve seen it so many times with animals and people. Someone is hurt or injured or dealing with a chronic
illness and an animal just opens up a different aspect of life for them. With an animal, there’s no
judgment. There’s no recrimination.
You can be yourself – whoever that is – and your dog or cat or even horse or rabbit will accept you.
Warts and all.
To see Michael and Gus together is to witness the human/animal connection. It’s powerful and
touching.
Even when things are bad, really bad, animals can help us get through. I know I said to my cat, Grayson,
just the other day, “I’m glad you’re here, buddy. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
And it was true. It’s nice to be able to snuggle up with my four-legged kids after rough days. Or even on
nice days.
I recently said to someone, “I wouldn’t know how to come home to a house that didn’t have animals.”
Sometimes our four-legged friends are more than just a friend. They can often be that source of
completely unconditional love that many of us really need sometimes.
I’m glad my nightly streaming sessions reminded me of that.
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Jennifer Vanderau is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can
be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations.
For more information, call the shelter at 263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also
operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or
shopping at the store.
