Pets are part of the family. That makes it harder when veterinary care is out of reach – By Cat Wise (Politico) / Mar 20 2023
Like many families around the country, we added a four-legged companion to our household at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I know I’m not the first dog owner to make this bold proclamation, but I believe it is true: Mango is one of the world’s best dogs.
A parent at our sons’ elementary school once (accurately) described her as “aggressively friendly.” Despite weighing only 11 pounds, Mango drags us around on her daily walks to greet everyone she sees. When she meets old friends, she levitates off the ground, shaking with absolute happiness.
Our two sons had been begging for a dog for several years. My husband and I finally said yes … for them. The dog was going to be for the boys and we would help facilitate its care. We held off for so long because, to put it bluntly, we thought a dog would be more work than reward.
Then Mango arrived. When I held her for the first time and looked in her sweet, dark eyes, I got an unexpected jolt of love at first sight. During an especially difficult time with the pandemic and all the upheaval in our lives, Mango has given us so much joy and comfort.
