"A dog reflects the family life. Whoever saw a frisky dog in a gloomy family, or a sad dog in a happy one? Snarling people have snarling dogs, dangerous people have dangerous ones. And their passing moods may reflect the passing moods of others." - Sherlock Holmes in "The Adventure of the Creeping Man"

Building Relationships

An animal needs family and structure. They are its best friends and help discipline it. Dogs and cats are highly intelligent creatures, albeit a little goofy sometimes. They are quick to learn feeding times and grooming times, and especially where cats are concerned, learn to come home at these times.

Simple acts such as feeding, grooming and exercise help foster a healthy relationship between you and your pet. The animal learns to trust and love you and see you as its leader / owner. This may seem unlikely, especially considering how many of us have to drag our dogs to the tap during bath times! But consider this. You are compelling the animal to obey your command. You are asserting yourself as its leader and this, is the very groundwork for an ideal bond between you and your pet.

Companionship

Dogs are pack animals, a domesticated form of the Gray Wolf. One of the first wild animals to be domesticated, they were used for hunting (like Rhodesian Ridgebacks), pulling loads (like the Huskies) and herding and protection (like the Alsatians / German Shepherds). As a pack animal, dogs are social creatures, and need to be involved with their human or animal family. It needs to feel functional in the pack and in the eyes of the animal, you, the owner, are its family, its pack, and if you, show him that you are its leader, and that it is a part of your family, you will find you have a dog that is protective and adoring of you and all round more satisfying. 

Pets & Kids

Most parents are reluctant to get pets but if you have the space and the resources to have a pet, it can be one of the best parenting decisions you make.  Pets are the ideal cure for hyperactive kids. No matter how fit you are physically, you can never equal in stamina and energy to your kid. Hence the pet. Dogs are ideal in this case, as they can run and play and roll in the grass forever it may seem! In a week, maybe even less, you can be sure to see a difference in your child. 

Those of us who grew up with pets would be able to relate how wonderful our childhoods were. Even though I had two older siblings, they were very much older to me, as were my cousins, who were equal in age. So growing up, I was more like an only child and I missed the companionship of a sibling. So, when I got my first official pet (a cat I named Spooky!) it was one of the most wonderful things that ever happened to me. I suddenly had someone to talk to and cry to and play with and love and cuddle.  Oh! The joy of having a first pet is unequalled! 

With a pet, you will also be able to teach your kids responsibility. The basics of feeding them at regular mealtimes and making sure their water bowl is never empty are two of the simplest forms of responsibility education. Even checking for ticks and fleas is another way of teaching them the importance of hygene as well as introducing them to illnesses that result due to neglect and uncleanliness. If the kids get into a routine of pet care, they will automatically develop discipline – something that is very difficult to nurture in a child! 

Having to share you, the parents, with someone else will also help prepare the child, in the event that you decide to have more children. Especially first-borns find it difficult to adjust to the concept of having to share mummy and daddy with someone else. So, systematically introducing a pet into the family is a cunning yet effective way of preparing your child to such a future life-changing event.

In Conclusion

Owning a pet does not have to be burdensome if consistent care is given to the animal.

To be a good owner, it is important to get to know your pet, for you will come to discover that they have favourite foods, that they are allergic to some things (yes, animals too have allergies), what their favourite pasttime is, or what their favorite toy is, what annoys them most, or what makes them angry. In short, you will discover that your pet has a personality, just like any human being in fact, and they too have feelings, just like us again.

But at the same time you will also come to learn that they have a bottomless well of love and affection and a capacity to forgive your every mistake and hurtful deed. You will come to realise what an important and necessary family extension they have become!

For them, Life is simple. Love, food, play and a roof over their heads will make their lives heaven on earth. If only they knew what a difference they make in our lives. What a ray of sunshine they are! 

(Text by Piumi De Silva)