Dogs, Cats, Parakeets, Turtles… Here’s What You Told Us Were Your Favorite Pets and Animals!

In September, we asked our Home Health Aide team members to share stories about their favorite pets or animals. A remarkable 154 team members responded, and your answers were both heartwarming and inspiring!

Most HHAs mentioned the pets they currently have or have loved in the past, with dogs and cats being the most common companions. But it didn’t stop there—some of you told us about your connections with birds, fish, even turtles, revealing the many different types of animals that bring joy to our lives.

For those HHAs who don’t have pets, the question brought out reflections on animals you admire. Some aides described their awe for the majesty of lions, the speed of cheetahs, and the intelligence of monkeys. One especially moving response spoke of the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, seeing it as a symbol for personal growth and resilience in life.

Three $200 Prizes: We took the names of all the HHA team members who participated in the September raffle question, put them together, and drew three names at random. The winning team members, who each received $200, were Salimata Coulibaly, Laura Gomez, and Daliah Paul.

Check out just some of the great responses we received to our September raffle question: “Tell us about your favorite pet or animal!”

Daliah Paul: “My favorite animal is the lion. They are so full of pride, they know what they want, and they are harmless unless provoked. They seem very admirable when they are together. They get a sense of joy in seeing how the cubs are taught to sense danger, and they pay close attention to where and when their cubs wander off.”

Isis Garcia: “My dog’s name is Toby, and he is a terrier-poodle mix. Toby was a gift I gave my daughter when she was in high school, and he is an important part of our lives. When I get home from work, Toby welcomes me with love and joy. When I’m not feeling well or I’m super tired, he doesn’t leave my side, giving me his unconditional support like a faithful friend. Now that he is 10 years old and having health problems, this is Toby’s time to receive the love and emotional support that he always gave us.”

Laura Gomez: “Tiger, my beloved cat, used to wait for me at my door every day when I woke up and when I came home. He liked to sit with me and fall asleep on my lap. He was 18 years old when he died in 2021. I still miss him so much.”

Maria Luna: “My favorite pet is my cat, Oliver. He’s a sweet, handsome orange tabby who runs like a horse, bites like a dog, and cries like a baby. No matter what, my family and I love Oliver.”

Elorine Brown: “I once had a dog named Rover. He used to lie at my doorstep every night. He would alert me if someone was entering the gate, and he would wait for me every evening when I came home from work.”

Jine Huang: “In my house, I have two red-eared slider turtles. Their names are Carl and Caroline.”

Renee Daniels: “I don’t have a pet now. When I was a little girl, I had eight dogs: King, Queenie, Duchess, Kenya, Mimi, Blondie, Boo Boo, and Junior. I loved them all; they were my best friends. King was my favorite. He was my protector. He was a huge German Shepherd, and I was so little that I was able to get on his back and ride him like a horse. I was supposed to be walking him, but he was actually walking me! I would take him to the supermarket with me and tell him to wait outside, but if I took too long, he would come find me. He was my hero. I miss him every day.”

Karla Acevedo: “For me, the butterfly represents more than beauty and color; it represents the process that it goes through, from being a simple caterpillar, to being inside a chrysalis, to flying. It is typical of life. We go through difficult processes that train us to achieve success. The butterfly is my favorite because I have gone through times where I started as a caterpillar, wrapped in a chrysalis of doubts and prejudices, but I managed to get out and become a butterfly, grateful for its fantastic wings. God took me out of the process and gave me new life. He made me a new creature.”

Zahariah Zimoh: “I don’t have any pets as of right now. My favorite animal is the cheetah. They are fast land cats with amazing skills.”

Ludnie Lucien: “My favorite animal is the hen, because they are cute, and I used to have a lot of them when I was in my country.”

Kesline Louis: “I always dreamt of having a monkey. Their intellect is a wonder to me.”

Assitan Fomba: “My parakeet is named Solo. It is so smart and beautiful. It flies around my house, and I play with it.”