Spoiled is when humans put their pet's comfort before their own.

Hear, O listeners, the words of Beth Ostrosky Stern, who with tenderness of spirit declared: “Spoiled is when humans put their pet’s comfort before their own.” At first, this saying may strike the ear as playful, yet beneath it lies a reflection of devotion, sacrifice, and the boundless reach of love. For to put another’s well-being above one’s own, even that of a humble creature, is to mirror the deepest essence of compassion.

The ancients taught that the measure of the heart is not found in grand temples or mighty conquests, but in the gentleness shown to the weakest among us. To place a pet’s comfort before one’s own is not merely indulgence; it is a recognition of the bond between man and beast, where loyalty is answered with kindness, and dependence with guardianship. This so-called “spoiling” is, in truth, a form of reverence for life itself.

Consider the tale of Saint Roch, who, stricken with plague, withdrew into the forest to die. There, a faithful dog brought him bread each day, cared for his wounds, and gave him companionship in his darkest hour. In return, Roch cherished the animal above his own comfort, sharing what little strength remained to him. Was the dog “spoiled”? Perhaps—but it was through such love that both endured. Stern’s words remind us that to lift another’s comfort above our own is not weakness, but sacred duty.

Yet her quote also carries a gentle caution. To spoil a creature is not to drown it in luxury or strip it of dignity, but to place its needs tenderly at the center of one’s choices. A human who gives the softer bed to the dog, or who braves the cold so the cat may stay warm, learns the lesson of humility: that love is not measured by convenience but by sacrifice. And in such acts, the soul grows large, for it has learned to serve without thought of return.

Stern’s observation shines, too, as a mirror for human relationships. How often do we begrudge giving up comfort for others? How often do we guard our own ease before offering compassion? In learning to place a pet’s comfort before our own, we train the heart for greater service—to spouse, to child, to stranger. The animal becomes the first teacher of unselfish love, preparing us for the greater sacrifices that life demands.

But let us also be wise. True devotion is not in excess, but in balance. To provide love and care for a pet must not lead to neglect of one’s own health or dignity. The lesson is not to erase oneself, but to learn the beauty of choosing sacrifice when it nurtures life. A master who serves their companion with joy discovers that the act enriches them too, for compassion given is never truly lost—it returns as joy, as trust, as the quiet peace of knowing one has done right.

The teaching is clear: do not fear being called indulgent when your love overflows, for to be spoiled by kindness is no curse. Let your actions show that true greatness lies not in power, but in service. Put the comfort of those who depend on you—whether pet, friend, or kin—above your own when the moment calls for it. For in such choices, you forge a heart both tender and heroic.

So let these words echo through time: To spoil in love is to enrich the soul. To place another’s comfort before your own is not weakness, but the highest strength. Walk this path, and you will find that every sacrifice for love becomes a treasure stored in the heart, a light that will not fade.