Times are rough for everyone young and old. There is hopefully help on the way for the economy as well as a cure or a vaccine for the virus. How fast either arrives we just don’t know.

But as money becomes tighter and the walls close in on our opportunities for exercise and our freedom to move about we have to remember our four-legged friends as well as our families and ourselves.

We subscribe to the theory that pets are good for our physical health and our mental well-being. Pets keep us moving (well not so much cats), and for some unexplained reason make it easier for us to express our feelings and emotions.

Many men who never dare express emotional sentiments vocally will love all over their pets in public using words of affirmation and terms of endearment straight out of that book “The Five Love Languages.”

The virus pandemic shortages haven’t just impacted milk, bread, and toilet paper but also the pet food aisles. The Butler County Humane Society and Executive Director Jennifer DiCuccio have extended an offer to provide food for animals if pet owners can’t afford or can’t find food for them.

And Ashley and John McDivitt, owners of Saxonburg Agway, gave away 60 40-pound bags of dog food Tuesday to help those out of work during the pandemic feed their pets.

One of the many awful rumors you can find on the internet that are associated with the coronavirus is that it can be spread by domestic animals.

Like much you will read on the internet, that has been fully debunked and there is no basis to have any fears, yet some people have gone so far as to dump or abandon pets in fear that it could be true.

Family and community have to come first, but we can’t disregard these loveable creatures that bring so much joy and companionship to us.

The relationship with our furry friends needs to be respected and continued in these days.

We encourage everyone with the means to reach out to anyone you know that is guarding their pennies trying to stay safe and secure and include asking if they need assistance with their pets.

The Humane Society, staffed mostly by volunteers, and funded by charitable giving of residents can always use new donors and supporters.

Maybe that is a place your heart can find some comfort in contributing to this week.

— RV