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Cassandra Di Lalla (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Let me start off by saying that there isn’t a single word in the English vocabulary that can truly describe the amount of love and admiration that I have for animals. 

I have always had a pet at home since a very young age. Cats, dogs, a bird, fish, a hamster, a mouse, et cetera. I currently have three pets. I have a dog named Zoey who is a Siberian Husky/Akita Inu mix, a dog named Marley who is a Shih Tzu/Corgi/Mini Poodle mix and a cat named Deena who is a tabby. I love them dearly and they keep me very busy . . . but they also give me purpose and teach me life lessons each and every day.

I’ve tended to some other animals such as horses, alpacas, llamas and so on. I’ve also been around and held reptiles too! But I have to say that horses are very in tune with a person’s body language and their emotions. They sense when you’re afraid, in pain, sad or mad, and so much more. They’re true miracle workers, especially with those suffering terribly with anxiety and clinical depression. There’s something so serene about being around horses—five minutes spent with a horse is equivalent to a five hour therapy session in my opinion. It amazes me how much a horse can understand a human and how much they really show you their love and affection. They might be big and mighty, but they’re so gentle and docile. They are truly beautiful, inside and out.

I get emotional thinking of all these beautiful creatures because my heart is so grateful and thankful that we’re lucky enough to have them walking on common ground with us. They are our entire world and beyond, just as much as we are theirs. Animals are too good for us and we’re undeserving of them. Honestly, their existence is so enriching. I couldn’t possibly imagine my life without them. If I could save all the animals, I would in a heartbeat and without any hesitation. Their hearts are so pure and they see beauty in everyone and everything.

Animals have shown me what real beauty looks like—it lives in the heart and the mind, not on the face or the body. They’ve taught me patience, kindness, selflessness and so many other things. They’ve shown me what a real friend is and they’ve taught my vulnerable heart to trust again. They make life seem so perfect because they’re youthful, playful, kind, silly and unapologetic about their bubbly personalities. They put their owners up on a pedestal and think of us as royalty. They’re the greatest companions and they’re incredibly loyal.

Animals have taught me to live humbly but abundantly. They have taught me how rewarding it is to love and care for those who need it the most . . . sometimes it’s better to distract yourself and do good for others when you’re not feeling your best, because it reminds you that others may have it worse. 

Animals have taught me that it’s okay to be slower at times or to take your time if you’re not feeling 100%. They’ve shown me that determination comes in different forms, and they’ve reassured me that it’s okay to lounge around and relax, or to rest and take naps when needed. It’s normal to have to recharge your batteries. 

They’re extremely resilient and they’ve taught me to become more resilient over the years as well. They make us see that it’s okay to be hurting or to be in pain because life won’t always treat us very kindly. In order for us to heal, we have to treat life the way we’d want to be treated, despite the trials and tribulations or the curveballs being thrown our way. Life is testing us to see how much we’re willing to fight back, and life does the same with our beloved animals too. 

I’ve overcome many things in life because my pets are constantly challenging themselves—they’re always defying the odds.

They’ve shown me that as you age, you become more fragile and sensitive, but you should also remain in good spirits in your golden years. 

They’ve taught me to seize the day, as tomorrow is never promised . . . to stress less, have fun, be present, to love and be loved, to maximize my potential, and leave a lasting legacy.

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Cassandra Di Lalla lives life purposefully. She enjoys reading, writing and mental health initiatives. She’s an animal lover for life and an innovative individual always finding new ways to create.