Few things in life with the exception of human relationships are as rewarding as the relationship we can develop with our animal companions.
The animals we invite to be part of our family are and should be our teachers and our friends.
From time to time I get a condescending laugh when I tell someone that my animal companions are my teachers and my friends, and it is all too common for there to be a lack of understanding of this principle. Our society sees pets as an object of possession or property (which according to the law and technicality, they are) and we treat them as such relegating the family dog that was purchased because he was such a cute puppy, to the back yard and a life of incarceration in a chain link dog run.
It seems we procure pets on a whim or as a satisfaction of ego because its cool. Having worked as manager of a prominent chain of pet stores in the northwest, I became very aware of the tendencies we have when it comes to purchasing a pet, and 90% of the time, if not more it is a spontaneous or ego based decision and rarely thought through sufficiently. Other times it is out of pity and a sense of saving an animal which is a noble cause but the wrong reason to take one home from the shelter or pet store.
I am no longer employed in that sector of commerce for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which are the sources that the animals are procured from. My intent is not to demonize pet stores or any other animal outlet, but reality is often far removed from the fantasy and romanticism associated with picking a pet. The reality is that whatever pet you choose to take home is a life you just assumed responsibility for. That responsibility is for their physical well being as well as their emotional well-being and few people stop to consider the amount of time, effort and money required to provide the proper care for an animal. In the case of fish, the emotional aspect is just a matter of providing an environment that is as stress free and healthy as possible, but as the intelligence of the animal increases, so do the challenges of providing the necessary environment and stimuli.
On the other extreme of the spectrum of domestic pets are the dogs whose unconditional love, non-judgment, loyalty and deep-seated emotions make for a mutually rewarding and beneficial relationship but that require a considerable amount of attention, care, exercise and loads and loads of love.
Each animal has its unique personality and as you interact with it, you will appreciate how deep it really goes. If we are not ready to make a “pet” a true animal companion, then we should have the integrity to not take it home. By true animal companion we mean another member of the family. Notice the last period. Anything less is a disservice to you as well as to the animal.
However, by recognizing our animal companions as such and treating them accordingly, we will not only be happier with ourselves but we open the doors to a whole new world of learning, love and joy. If that sounds like a bit much, then you haven’t experienced it yet and I would invite you to do so.
Rach & I have 5 children and 8 kids. The five children are no longer children and are beginning to start families of their own, pursue their educations and careers etc. The 8 kids are Chacko David, Gyzmoe Elliot & Gadgette Rachele - our dogs, 4 beautiful cats and a scruffy Timneh African Grey parrot that came into this world chewing its feathers off and never quit. All of our animals are rescues in one way or another and we have committed to provide them with the very best environment possible until they reach the end of their life or we reach ours.
Meanwhile as we watch and interact with them, we are amazed on a daily basis by the things they teach us as well as the unconditional love they share with us. As we take time to notice each ones personality we also notice a degree of sensitivity – especially in the dogs but evident in all of them. I have yet to meet a dog that wouldn’t give up food for a good 10 minutes of undivided attention from its human pet. While I cant say the same about cats, they are far less needy than dogs and are great companions for those that don’t want the responsibility of providing the long list of needs for proper dog care.
Birds make wonderful companions to the right people. Birds tend to pick their human companion and are not always open to variations on that, so it is best to get a bird as a hand feeding baby, but keep in mind that many birds live for 20-80 years and having bonded to their human companion very rarely bond with anyone else making for a long term relationship.
Exotic reptiles and mammals just don’t make great pets and in many cases promote extracting the animals from their native environment as is the case with many geckos, snakes, marsupials, tarantulas etc. as few of these are successfully bred in captivity. Unless you are qualified to do so and are participating in a rehabilitation or captive breeding program of endangered species, the keeping of exotic pets is contributing to the mess we have created in nature rather than being a steward of nature.
Regardless of the animal companions we choose or choose us, the principle should be the same; animal companions are treated with the same level of respect as any other member of the family (assuming we are dealing with healthy family relationships of course).
We aren’t making comparisons of importance of species, moral value or anything like that; the reference is to respect and love. Anything less only reflects a lack of self-respect on the part of the “owner” and is not conducive to the Barbequian lifestyle.
