"The house without a dog, a cat, or a baby:
a house without cheer and laughter."
___ Scots Gaelic triad
The spiritual quality of a house derived from its inhabitants. When the owners are away, the house seems soulless and unhappy. Those who live alone are particularly aware of this. When they arrive home, there is no one to greet them, no meal on the stove, no one with whom to share the day's activities. The presence of a pet within the house changes the whole atmosphere. Whether it be a dog, cat, goldfish, or bird, a pet charges the house with life throughout the day, and the homecoming of the solitary dweller is thus a happier one. The interdependence of animals and animals is a two-way process: not only do we care for our pets, but they also care for us, often giving us companionship when our fellow human beings do not.
A house without children is often a very formal affair, with everything preternaturally neat and totally geared to the occupants' pleasure. A house with children, on the other hand, is rarely either tidy or static: everything from disorder and muddle to outright chaos can typify such a home. There is a sense of nesting when babies are present, a sense of transit when the house is full of teenagers about to launch themselves on the world.
The cheerful household is one wherein love is present. As long as love inhabits the home, the spirits of neglect, solitude, and sadness are absent. We all need someone to love and someone to love us. In a house where love is absent, there is little cheer. All homes need the kindling of love; only with that kindling can the spirit of the household welcome us to its hearth.
"Where is the love invested in your household?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Patricia Monaghan]
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