Reasons why you should own a pet?

It wasn’t until adulthood that I seriously considered the idea of getting a dog. I’d always been a fan of animals but thought that occasionally looking at cute images on the Internet like that of a kitten playing with yarn or a mini chihuahua chasing its tail would be just as satisfying as holding my own pet.  As a child, with the exception of a goldfish named Spike, we simply did not have pets in my household.  Nor did we really discuss any subjects relating to animals. I don’t remember ever inquiring about the possibility of owning one. Growing up in the overwhelming dog-centric Central Valley of California, many of the people I knew families owned pit bulls, chihuahuas, or some other form of a small breed dog. They were always very “cute” but seemed like a lot to manage in terms of grooming and so forth.
In adulthood even, it seemed like everyone I knew had a dog or some exotic animal.  I knew a guy that collected and sold albino snakes from his apartment. Also, in college, girls toting cockapoos or yorkies around campus was not an uncommon sight.  I couldn’t fathom the idea of a furry critter in your purse and would think to myself “What a mess!”. “Good luck trying to get the smell of fur out of your Coach purse!”  It was an unlikely conversation, at a college party that would slightly shift my view regarding the possibility of owning a pet. The host had a 6 or 7-week-old brown baby chihuahua.  Upon further inquiry, he explained to me that she was a stray he’d found while walking by a nearby freeway. I already knew that people “picked up” animals from shelters and all but hadn’t really considered how one would fit into my busy life. I was often not home and felt that leaving a living soul alone for extended amounts of time could not possibly lead to positive outcomes.
After that discussion, I started to notice all my friend’s interactions with animals. For example, my friend Alexis cared for stray cats. She wouldn’t bring them into her home, but they would let her pet them while she provided necessities like Friskies and water outside. More recently, I had a discussion with a neighbor who does the same thing. There are at least 7 healthy-looking neighborhood cats that frequent her backyard and play in the cat tower or drink water from a bowl. It’s almost as if they go there to recharge and then return to their actual owners, which is very interesting. I also noticed how receptive those tiny mini dogs that I’d previously viewed as a nuisance were to their owner’s needs or safety level. If a stranger approached swiftly, they will immediately start yapping and postering like little champions, whether male or female.  This act, it seems, was deeply intrinsic for my first puppy Scarlett.
I purchased Scarlett on a whim somewhere around the year 2016.  Being both nostalgic and thrifty in nature, I’d often search for antiqued or “vintage” items on eBay or Craigslist. Also being a lover of small-town weekend exploration, I would search for the most random of items in places like Sebastopol or Carmichael. One day while on Craigslist, I came across listings for spotted black and white dogs. I don’t remember how I ended up on that particular page but I continued to swipe through the images of local dogs as they were bringing me joy. Then I came across an image of the tiniest pup who was wearing a pink bow on a page entitled “Looking for my Forever Home“.  She was only 30 dollars, and I couldn’t believe it. Why? I read the post description and that she, who was nameless at the time, was a 3-week-old chiweenie and the last of the litter. The owner stated that he needed her to be gone from the house as soon as possible. The solemn look in her eyes spoke to my soul so I contacted the man to come to get her.
I didn’t have a lot of room in my one-bedroom Vallejo studio but decided to give it a go and make the new arrangement work! When I arrived in Rancho Cordova, her previous owner pushed her towards me and said gruffly “Here. You can have her for $15.00… Please hurry up and take her before my son sees that she’s gone”. I’d wanted to ask him more questions, but she was scared and shaking, so I thought it would be best for us to just leave. I immediately named her Scarlett, which my loved ones opposed but strangers always inquired about. She barely fit in my hand in the early weeks, and I had no idea what to do with her. Being a true ray of sunshine, everything worked out okay and she continued to grow and thrive under my care. I realized some lessons about the human-animal connection that I couldn’t have known without our nap times or daily walks.

Pets Are Loyal
As stated above, I have witnessed the seemingly intrinsic nature of certain animals to protect their owners. A dog will wait dutifully as you complete a task or express happiness to see you with a tail wag. Even a cat will growl if it believes that a loved one is in danger. If you desire a less conventional pet, a duck is surprisingly loyal as well. I’ve been told that they are affectionate, love children, and will follow behind them without pecking.

Pets Teach Us How to Show Affection
Relating the subject of affection, showing love towards your pets is a wonderful practice for engaging with your human counterparts. Most animals, themselves, are intrinsically affectionate. Even wild animals like tigers, gorillas, or hyenas show affection toward one another and other creatures.

Pets are Funny!

Though not always purposely, pets engage in some funny behaviors that will leave you laughing for days. Laughing increases your body’s production of dopamine, which in turn boosts moods and provides a positive sense of well-being. Animals have their own little personalities that thrive when placed in interesting situations. For example, I know that the sciences says that parrots don’t really have a concrete understanding of what they are saying but it’s often funny what comes out of their mouths. Then, they usually just keep saying it, which is quite amusing!

Pets Are Intuitive

I did not realize this until having Scarlett but just look into the soul-piercing eyes of an all-knowing owl, you will probably agree. My dog Scarlett was innately in tune with my emotions. If I was ever sad, she would lay her head next to me and just stare at me empathetically. A few years ago, when working as a therapist for foster youth I was introduced to the therapeutic modality of “Horse Therapy”. Horse therapy centers around the concept that horses are intuitive enough to sense emotional distress and dysregulation in their human counterparts. The horse will bond with a rider in an effort to create balance before a ride. Below, is an interesting video that I found on the subject.


Pets Need a Home

Lastly, but probably most important, is the need for people to provide a safe home for the many loving animal souls out there that are wandering aimlessly on the streets. Humans decided centuries ago to domesticate and breed most of the animals we see on the streets or in the parks today. Whether it be a Park overrun with abandoned rabbits or the dog scouring the cul-de-sac for food, we have a responsibility to take care of them.
In Conclusion
Animals are incredible companions that have a spirit and a soul. They snuggle with us, make us laugh, and sometimes warn us when we are in danger. If you believe that you can provide a secure, loving home for the animal of your choice or one in which you feel a deep connection, it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the family. To our best lives!