As I stare at my computer screen attempting to come up with a witty introduction to this brand new channel, Blissful Pets, about the powerful impact that having a pet can have on kids, my ever-faithful Shih Tzu companion is whimpering as she nuzzles up to my toes.

Last night, after our usual dinner-time routine, I went to take my nine-year-old dog Mellie out for her last walk before bed and she simply wouldn’t budge! No amount of coaxing-even bribery with cheese- would illicit a response.

When I picked her up I discovered an enormous, bleeding and oozing bulge on her back-side. I immediately called the vet and took her for an emergency visit at 9 o’clock in the evening. I’ll spare you the very intimate details of the condition, but one of her anal glands was infected and needed to be drained.

Enough said. $471 after the fact, she’s now home on regimen of antibiotics warm compresses and I have never seen my kids more devoted to her! I got my Shih Tzu Mellie, before I had kids, and although they’ve always considered her a member of the family, neither one has been all that demonstrative with her; unless you consider my three-year-old’s taunts and stealing her chew toys, his unique way of demonstrating his innate love for her!

However, seeing their tears and genuine anxiety when I dashed out with her to the vet and the fact that they waited up till we got back to, “make sure Mellie was okay,” proved to me just how utterly attached they are to her.

Although our kids may not necessarily have the words to articulate their emotions, their actions can often speak volumes to us. Having Mellie in their lives has made them more sensitive to living, breathing creatures other than themselves and imbued them with a deeper understanding of their place in this world.

Whether your family already has a four legged member or you’re considering opening your hearts and home to one, I encourage you to keep reading here at Blissful Pets for the many reasons why having these “pawsome” creatures in your life will make that much sweeter.

Whether you’ve had the fortune of parenting your very own fur-baby–and you’re looking for the best new knit sweaters, chew toys, kitty condos or carriers- think of Blissful Pets as your one-stop shop to be in the know.

If you’re a newbie and a pet-parent for the first time, you’ll also find lots of practical advice from -been there done- that- don’t make the same mistakes I made- pet parents who will share their tried and true tips for welcoming a pet into your family.

And if you’re looking for a daily dose of inspiration we’re all about spreading the love when it comes to the wonderful shelters, rescues and animal rights groups who are all striving to make a this world a better place for our four-legged counterparts and you’re going to get all the goods about them and how you can join the good fight right here!

When she’s not fighting with her seven year-old daughter about whether she should wear her hair in a ponytail or headband- or trying to coax her three-year- to relinquish the dinosaurs he clutches in both of his fists or hand-feeding her prissy 10-year old Shih Tzu fur-baby, Melissa Chapman manages to squeeze in time to write Kids in the City a weekly column for The Staten Island Advance and the blog Kids in the City. She also contributes to iVillage.com; and Time Out NY Kids.