Imagine Life Without Our Pets

I have lived with pets and I have lived without them. I can tell you that life with pets is much more enhanced in quality. I grew up with cats and dogs. Back then cats were inside pets and our dogs were outside pets. Today as an adult I am a dog mother of two of the smartest, goofiest, caring girl pups who love me and their dog dad and each other very much

Our older pup is a black lab and terrier mix (Daisy)and our younger pup is a blue nose pit -Staffordshire terrier (Navy). Navy and Daisy help to put order into our lives. We are not yet human parents so we happily take the practice in the form we have now. Hopefully, patience, understanding, sense of responsibility and discipline will make us great parents to our child/children one day.

From waking up to take them out to potty at the wee hours of the morning(dog dad is killing it), ensuring they are fed on time and with the best quality dog food that we can find. Monthly visits to the vet, getting them to take their medicine when any is prescribed and not over gratifying them with all the yummy treats their tummies and wagging tails desire.

These responsibilities require genuine love and consistency. We are definitely becoming better people. You will learn to even treat other people with more patience and tolerance.

They give you constant affection and even though they will push the envelope as far as you will allow, they are very loyal and obedient. Without being officially trained as emotional support animals. They can sense when you need a hug or a nice wet lick, slapped across the forehead.

Allowing children to have pets at an early age can help to keep them in the stage of wonder a little longer. They go on all kinds of imaginary adventures together. The children learn to care for something at a tender age.

Domestication of our friends

Many historic articles on pets will indicate that since 40,000–15,000 years ago human hunter-gathers have been domesticating animals. The first of many was the Bonn-Oberkessel dog, Canis lupus familiaris which was domesticated from the Grey Wolf, Canis lupus, which is now extinct. It seems like Ned Stark had the right idea when he gave his children each a Dire Wolf, as a personal companion, which today is also now extinct.

Dogs are amazing creatures, they learn really fast and can run even faster. Some can run up to 45mph, the Greyhound. Dogs were domesticated for jobs such as hunting, fishing, raring other animals, racing, doggie pageants, etc. Some Kings and Queens even domesticated miniature versions to help keep them warm. Whatever the reason animals were domesticated, we are now able to have them in our homes in varying colours, shapes, sizes and breeds. The vast variety of pets includes cats, birds, reptiles, rodents, fishes etc. Everyone can have a companion that best suits them and their families.

Some pets are without homes

Many people would like to have a pet at home but are unable to have one due to their lifestyle limitations. Whether they have expenses, a busy schedule that does not allow them to be able to take on the responsibilities, an apartment policy that prohibits allowing them to live there, having allergies or fear of animals. For those souls, I will give my puppies an extra hug on their behalf.

Then are also people who just do not like animals. For those souls, I will say a prayer and cast a spell, they are obviously miserable and they need it.

Then there are the ones who breed them just for sale, the ones who use them for fighting and abuse them, the ones who only love them while they are younger and smaller animals and then abandon them when they get bigger or older. I wouldn't even bother to pray, no prayers can help you. Sad little humans you are.

The kennels are filled with animals who want a place in your family. https://www.animalhumanesociety.org

One of my fur babies was a rescue and she has abandonment anxiety. She is the sweetest little pup I have ever met. She is very protective. Always on the alert and watching over us. Sometimes she will move to a focal point in the house so that she can watch over both me and her dad if we are moving around or in different rooms.

To their former owners, I have some words that probably are too big and won't fit on these pages, for you all.

The Quality of Life with a pet

In 2019 the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute published results that indicate 74 per cent of pet owners report improved mental health. Other sources report interaction with animals decreases cortisol level, lowers blood pressure, reduces loneliness, increases the feeling of love and social support and overall better quality and consistency in the mood.

Our ancestors and rules of ancient civilizations saw it fit to keep whiskered, furred, feather or scaled companions close by. Whether it's the Egyptians and their cats, the Mayans and their sabertooths, pirates and their parrots, Curious George and his human in the yellow hat, Winnie and Christopher Robin, or warriors and their wolves. Life is better with our pets. I am sure Tarzan will agree.

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This story was originally published on Medium.com