A pet can enrich your life in magical ways!

Our four-legged friends hold a special place in our hearts, but they can be so much more than just animals, writes Shikha Jain

We include them in our family portraits, make room for them on our beds, tell them our deepest secrets and miss work when they’re sick. And whether they paw, fly, or swim their way into our hearts, pets are an important part of our lives. Whether you’re looking for a workout buddy or just some furry motivation, adopting an animal can have a bigger impact on us. They give us a better quality of life and come with a dose of health benefits.

To each his own

These well-loved animals are individually unique to each household, and here’s how. “It’s magical how a pet can enrich your life by its mere presence. I notice how pet owners talk endlessly about their pets and ever since I’ve gotten a pet of my own, how happy I am to always bring him up in conversations and have my friends and acquaintances come meet him, whom I have named Aslan,” says Mahek Shaikh, a feline lover from Mumbai.

“Phoebe, a Golden Retriever is not ‘just a pet’, it’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. It also brings in the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy. At the end of a long day, who doesn’t enjoy coming home to a cold nose, a wagging tail, a slobbery kiss and someone who will keep you warm at night?,” says a hostler, Yash Parekh who terribly misses his pet and sends love all the way from Mumbai.

Shubhangi from Delhi narrates an inter-breed love story between ‘Dora the Labrador’ and ‘Moti the Dachshund’. Unlike humans, dogs understand consent! “This particular episode is when three gentlemen were wooing Dora in the mating season at once. Moti brought her random sticks from the garden, while Tyson whined for hours hoping it would make her change her mind, but the winner was ‘Sandy – the Labrador’ who waited patiently outside the door (obviously playing the ‘same breed’ card) for three days. It was his gentle way of approaching her, letting her take her time that ultimately resulted in a litter of seven a few months later. I wish men knew it takes patience and love, not ultra cool gadgets to please women,” she sighs.

Prachi’s love for animals began 20 years ago. “The framework of the word ‘humanity’ seems quite deceiving to me. Growing up as a medically fragile child, I picked up a lot more ‘humanity’ from animals than I ever did from humans,” says the Mumbaikar.

She gifted herself Lhasa Apso and named him Sherlock. He taught her simplicity and never asked for fancy toys or big gestures. He would be ecstatic with a noisy plastic bottle and she stepping out of the shower after 40 minutes that felt like four years of separation in his time. He taught her to love what was given to him and not what wasn’t. If she’d be an hour late at feeding him, he would be thankful for the food rather than being mad. But most importantly, he promised her she’d never be alone again. Not in words, but in his actions.

Dog counsellors’ theory

Dr Rohini Fernandes and Poonam Bharti from Kryon Wisdom Centre at Juhu, say, “As people today are living away from each other, pets are being forced into the role of a companion. People need to get out and interact with other people, and not use animals as a crutch and to keep distancing themselves from humanity. Owning a pet teaches us responsibility, love and acceptance since we learn to take care of another life form and to open our hearts to them. Pets can help to ground us and make great companions to any person irrespective of age, sex or race.”

Shirin Merchant, canine trainer and behaviourist and founder of Canines Can Care agrees, “Dogs tend to get stressed in situations like car rides, a visit to the vet, firecrackers, or the arrival of a guest that we take for granted but can cause an animal to get worried. But thanks to our dogs, many of us are forced to get exercise in the form of walks. Research has shown that kids with dogs tend to grow up to be more empathetic to others and more caring, less selfish and more understanding. Towards the end, our dogs also teach us a lesson in letting go of those we love.”

Strays and abandoned pets go through a lot of trauma and when they are adopted they are on top of the world and that’s when humans act as their stress busters. Ganesh Nayak, founderof an NGO, Animals Matter To Me says, “Pets were, pets are and pets will be a comfort and compassion factor for all centuries that have gone and will be in the coming years. A human is a social animal and cannot be confined to gadgets or artificial intelligence. Those who haven’t been closely in touch of pets or strays are surely missing something vital in life. One has to experience the beauty and unconditional wavelength of these souls to understand what joy of life is.”

We’re family

There are many relationships based on reciprocity and on day-to-day authenticity that bring people together. This is just as true with humans as it is with animals.

“A child’s responsibility is more than a dog. When people are not ready to have a kid, it’s better to bring home a dog. A dog makes you realise how responsible you are. It makes you physically tired, but child gives you more mental pressure. One thing is unconditional love of a dog, which is irreplaceable. A child can’t give that. When a child grows up, his priority might change, but that’s not the case with a dog, he will still love his owner the same or rather more and that’s guaranteed,” says a couple (who do not wish to reveal their names) when asked them why people choose pets over kids.

Play cool with your pet

Whether you’re tossing a tennis ball at the dog park or dancing around the living room with your cat, you’re moving around — and that means burning calories, getting your heart rate up and scoring the big mood and energy boosts provided by quick bursts of exercise. Ever notice that when you’re out with your pet, strangers are more apt to smile, say hello, and even strike up a conversation? Cats and dogs have licked and purred their way into our lives and have gained celebrity status. You’ll feel so appreciative you’ll never lose your cool over a spilled water dish again!