By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter

One of the many ways that NAIWE director April Michelle Davis supports our members is by posing questions for discussion in our Facebook group. My response to a recent such question resulted in a suggestion from her to write what became this article: How having a cat (or a pet) contributes to the life of a freelancer.

Whether you’re a dog, cat, rabbit, bird or reptile person, having an animal companion can be a positive and important factor in a freelancer’s life — in anyone’s life, but sometimes especially that of a freelancer, and especially of a freelancer who’s on your own, without a human partner.

My childhood pet was a guinea pig; my brothers had hamsters and gerbils. My parents stood out against any pleas for a dog or cat, knowing that they’d be the ones to take a dog for its daily walks and look after a cat. My mother was especially firm about cats, because she loved birds, didn’t want them at risk from an outdoor cat, and figured that with three kids bouncing in and out of the house, a cat would be indoor/outdoor. It wasn’t until I was on my own, in my own place, that I had a cat. Thanks to a childhood encounter, I was scared of dogs for many years, and I also didn’t want the work of regular dog-walking in all types of weather, picking up poop, etc. I don’t remember how I found my first cat, but a second one I rescued literally from the street, and gave to a friend when I moved to a new apartment and wanted a life, and home office, free of cat hair.

For 30 years, I was catless, but I had the world’s most wonderful husband, and no need for an animal companion. A few months after he died, I realized that I needed two things: company, and something to be responsible for and care for.

There’s been a lot research about the emotional and physical benefits of having animal companions in our lives. I’ve followed much of it and found that it’s true. As a freelancer who lives alone, it really does make a difference to share my place and life with Skitter, whom (not which/that) I adopted from the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis. She often greets me at the door when I come home from errands, outings or travel. She kind of talks to me (calicos and Siamese cats are known for being chatty). In the evenings, when I move from my home office to a recliner in the bedroom to read or watch TV before conking out for the night, she hops up in my lap, curls around my arm and takes a nap, as if to say, “You’ve been working all day; time to relax with the cat.” If I open my laptop, she reinforces the message by squirming around the keyboard but staying put, so I can only do so much with my free hand.

I often say that she’s the world’s best cat, because she doesn’t walk on the keyboard of either my desktop or laptop computer, among other attributes.

A dog can probably be an even better companion for a freelancer. When I’m talking or writing about ways to overcome isolation as a freelancer, having a dog is my first recommendation. With a dog, you have to get out of the house a few times a day, so you interact with neighbors along your routes and fellow dog people at a neighborhood dog park. Those dog walks and play dates have another plus for sedentary workers like writers and editors, independent or otherwise: exercise.

Dogs also tend to be more affectionate than cats (or so I’m told; Skitter is a snuggler), which can fill that gap in your life.

You might not share your home with a horse, but that’s another animal that can give a freelancer both a social outlet and an exercise opportunity. Stable owners, trainers, groomers, and other riders become part of your friend circle, and the bond with your horse is as strong as what I have with Skitter and many of my colleagues have with their more common, traditional animal buddies.

Smaller animals like hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and mice might not be as responsive as cats, dogs or horses, but I have one friend with a hamster and another who’s had a rat as a pet, and both swear that there’s a bond with those as well. Birds can be trained to talk and do tricks, which can provide entertainment value; even if they just sing, that’s something fun.

There’s something heartwarming about those moments when your animal buddy puts a paw on your hand or curls up at your feet as you work, and we all need those moments. Whatever animal speaks to you, they can provide a reason to get out of bed very day, the emotional warmth of something to look after and take care of — and even expansion of your freelance business: You can write and/or edit about them!

There are a tons of outlets for fiction, poetry and nonfiction about any and every animal you can think of, as well as associations for those who produce communications about them (I’m an active member of the Cat Writers’ Association, for instance). Go online or check out the magazine section of your library or favorite bookstore as a starting point for adding such outlets to your freelance business. Then give that cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, parakeet or horse some skritches and a special treat.