Having a pet only brings more love into a home and it's the

Hear the heartfelt words of Beth Ostrosky Stern, who declared with radiant sincerity: “Having a pet only brings more love into a home and it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever experienced.” At first these words seem tender and simple, like the soft purring of a cat or the gentle wag of a dog’s tail. Yet within them lies a truth as old as humanity itself: that when man welcomes the creatures of the earth into his dwelling, he multiplies his own capacity for love.

For what is a home but walls and roof without affection? Stones may shield us from the storm, but they do not warm the heart. It is only when love dwells within that a house becomes a sanctuary. And pets, those faithful companions who ask for little and give so much, are among the greatest vessels of this love. They teach loyalty, patience, tenderness, and joy without words. They fill the silence with presence, and the routine of days with meaning.

The ancients knew this bond well. In the tombs of the pharaohs, dogs and cats were buried beside their masters, honored as family, guardians, and friends. The Greeks told of Argos, the faithful hound of Odysseus, who waited twenty years for his master to return. When Odysseus finally came, disguised as a beggar, Argos recognized him at once, wagged his tail, and then, his duty complete, laid down and died. Such stories reveal that the love of a pet is not a modern invention, but a thread woven deep into the fabric of human life.

Beth Stern’s words rise from this same wellspring. She speaks of experience, not theory. The love of a pet is not distant or abstract—it is lived each day, in the small moments: the greeting at the door, the comfort in sorrow, the joy of play. These small offerings weave together into something greater than gold: a sense of belonging, of warmth, of unconditional affection. It is no wonder she calls it the “greatest” thing she has known, for it is greatness clothed in simplicity.

Yet there is also teaching here about generosity. To invite a pet into one’s home is not merely to receive, but to give: to feed, to shelter, to care for another life. This act awakens within us the deeper truths of stewardship, reminding us that love grows when it is poured outward. The love of a pet mirrors back the love we give, multiplied, purified, freed from the entanglements of pride and judgment. It is love in its purest form: trust unbroken, devotion unwavering.

The lesson, then, is this: if you would make your home a place of peace and joy, let love be its foundation, and do not be afraid to welcome those who walk on four legs as well as two. In their eyes you will see loyalty, in their presence you will feel warmth, and in their companionship you will learn patience and humility. For the bond between human and pet is no small thing—it is a reflection of the greater bond that ties all life together under heaven.

So let your action be this: if you are able, open your door to a creature in need. Seek out the shelters, the lost, the forsaken, and give them a place by your side. And if you already share your life with such a companion, cherish them well, for their years are brief but their gifts are immeasurable. Love them as they love you, fully and without condition. For in doing so, you will discover what Beth Stern discovered: that having a pet brings more love into a home, and that this, indeed, is one of life’s greatest treasures.