Life Altering Impact Of Owning A Pet

As a dog owner, I adapt my life to my dog's needs. While she is not my whole life, she is a very big part of it. I am responsible for protecting and nurturing her and ensuring her life is happy and comfortable. I want her to be comfortable, secure and loved during her too-short lifetime. There are things I also accept as part of sharing my life with a pet. Since I was a child, I have loved animals of all kinds and enjoyed the companionship of pets.

Feed From My Plate

I know this is a frowned-upon practice, but I have a rational reason for doing it. Within the structure of a dog pack is behaviors related to food. The alpha eats first and takes all he wants. The lower members of the pack must beg those above them for the right to eat. When dogs bed their owners for food, they are practicing something their ancient ancestors did. It is very natural for dogs to seek food from their owner who is the alpha of their pack. By sharing the things I eat, I am acting as the pack alpha and providing essential sustenance necessary for survival.

Allow On Furniture

I allow my pets to sit and sleep on the furniture. It is their home as much as mine, and they have the right to feel comfortable and relaxed. While I do not treat my pets as if they were humans, they still deserve to not have access to most of the house and to not be treated as if they are prisoners or unwanted. So many pet owners restrict access to so many parts of the home that the pet is never able to feel like they belong. At every turn, they are being scolded for being somewhere forbidden. When it comes down to it, I don’t want to live my life stressed out about pets (and their hair) being on the sofa.

Consider Their Feelings

Something I do as a pet owner is to consider my pets’ feelings. She is a thinking, feeling, feeling living being. Her brain allows her to understand the environment around her, and it is my job to make sure she never experiences unnecessary pain or suffering of all kinds. It is her right as a living, breathing entity to be respected and loved. When I consider any decision or action in my life, I consider the impact it will have on her. In some cases, her wellbeing will override what I am considering, and I decide against a certain action. This is something I accepted when I undertook the responsibility of a pet.

Understand Their Perspective

Likewise, I make an effort to consider her perspective in everyday life and special circumstances. It matters to me she feels safe and calm in her environment. This can come in the form of not having an item in the house which makes her uncomfortable or scared, or not exposing her to people I feel will not respect her. It is important to me in any situation to consider how she will perceive something from her unique point of view on the world. Thinking this way enables me to understand why she may react fearfully or aggressively in a situation which is unfamiliar or scary. She can only react using her animal instincts, not as a human who is able to reason and understand the what is happening in an informed way.

Give Them Respect

Lastly, I give my pets respect, which looks different for her than giving respect for a human. Dogs are predators at their base. Domestic dogs have less of this attitude but it remains as part of their nature. I respect this nature in my dog by understanding how this natural instinct affects her behavior. Sophie is a beagle, she loves to run around with her nose to the ground, tracking some scent she picks up. Once this instinct kicks in, she is laser-focused on tracking and finding her prey. For this reason, she cannot be outside the yard not on a leash. It can be hard at times, but I can’t get mad at her for doing what she was designed to do. I also practice respect when I give her space when she is not feeling cuddly, and allow her to retreat into her “den”. When she is sleeping, I do not intentionally wake her up in a startling way. I also give her space while she is eating so she doesn’t feel threatened or possessive.

These are simple things but they make my relationship with my dog better. I don’t think only of my own perspective, but take the time to consider her feelings and needs into consideration. For this reason, I have a stronger relationship with her and we live much more peacefully together. Humans don’t often consider their pets having needs and consideration and often don’t have a very positive relationship with their pets. My own practices when interacting with my dog are often considered to be offensive or sickening, and I don’t expect visitors to my hime to live the way I do, but I do expect them to extend respect and kindness to my pets, as the visitor does not live in my home, but my pets do and they deserve understanding and kindness.