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Pets and the Pandemic

5/26/2020

4 Comments

 
        Once upon a time, I was a columnist for a weekly newspaper in a small Ontario city. One column I wrote featured how our three sons wanted a pet. More specifically, a dog.
         My husband, despite four-legged creatures being attracted to him, nixed the idea. Too much trouble. Who was going to walk it all hours of the day and in all kinds of weather? And pick up after it? And, with the five of us out of the house for a significant part of the day, how was that fair to a dog? Also, we travelled a lot. What then? Place it in a kennel (an expensive proposition) or depend on kind-hearted friends (who would no longer be friends after two weeks of dog-sitting)?
        No, he decreed. Our lifestyle did not suit a dog member. (I must confess I was always on the fence. I had two dogs and a cat at separate times as childhood friends.   But I never said that out loud!)
        So instead of dogs, a myriad of weird creatures inhabited our home.  Once, as a parting gift, visiting relatives left behind a cage containing two gerbils for our sons. The givers insisted these little rodents were no trouble: clean, pleasant, quiet little pets…until one promptly disappeared into the recesses of the house. This incident caused a violent argument about whose fault it was. Then there were two chameleons (“one will just die of loneliness…we’ve got to have two”) and eventually, an iguana. Called “Drake”, short for Draconian, he became a legend in his own right.
Picture
        Hanging with his claws on the front door screen, Drake often turned away pesky salespeople who, catching sight of this mini-dinosaur flicking his tongue, did not dare ring our doorbell. We gleefully watched them creep away. Drake was also guilty of eating leaves from our houseplants leading to weird looks from visitors; on entering our home, one only saw tall green leafless stems standing alone in large containers.

        Fast forward now to 2020 and the Pandemic.
        Common sense (and psychologists) tell us that an adoring pet does wonders for the soul. And our mental health.
        The instinct to turn to pets during this pandemic is supported by science, says a researcher studying how pets help people.
        Researcher Megan Mueller says pets provide nonjudgmental emotional support, and studies show that “contact with pets help reduces stress and anxiety, particularly when you are experiencing a stressful situation.”
      Studies have also shown how animals help people cope better with social isolation—that is, being physically separated from others—and with loneliness.
        So, in that spirit, several members of our family have opted to follow that advice.
In the case of two sons, the pet idea started with the kids, then mom got into the picture, and finally dad agreed. (Fathers often link pets to a money drain.)
Picture
        A few years ago, our 8-year-old-grandson begged for a pet rabbit. If not a pet rabbit, then maybe a kitten, something soft and furry. He’d been playing with both animals in cages at local markets. After research, the parents settled on a male kitten. But not any male kitten. He came from a trusted litter and was not allowed to leave his mama until properly weaned. This meant, although he was ‘given’ the kitten on his birthday, our grandson couldn’t physically own him until at least six weeks later. But visit ‘his’ kitten he did, hold him he did, snuggle him he did. The day he brought him home was the day his parents took a photo of him with Bear (his kitten’s name) in his arms. His last words before falling asleep were “this is the happiest day of my life”. And Bear is still a happy member of the family.

Picture
        With kids home during this pandemic it was only a matter of time before another son fell victim to the pet syndrome. As he confessed, “it was almost child abuse” not to get a puppy. Enter one guardian puppy, a mini labradoodle, to be picked up this week. The excitement and preparations and longing for ‘Luna’ have reached a crescendo. Mama is as thrilled as the girls. Papa remains a little subdued, warning of care obligations, expenses, and on and on. But no-one’s listening.

        First son has not succumbed yet to the pet syndrome. His preteen twins have had their teeth weaned on hamsters but there has been talk. Mother is all for a puppy “this is the best time with everyone home” but so far…nada. We shall see.
Great Pyranees puppy
Border Collie puppies
This doesn’t count, of course, one of my bros whose family just picked up a Great Pyrenees pup while another beat the trend by recently welcoming a Border Collie pup.

        The crazy part is…all these fathers, including my husband, who complain about the work and expense of a pet, will fall madly in love with these adorable little critters. And these critters will be the ones who enthusiastically welcome home the hard-working dads. That is, when dads stop working from home.

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4 Comments
Scott
5/27/2020 04:02:47 pm

Hi Heather,

Wonderful article and so true.

A dog is very loyal and loving, and there isn't a day they don't greet you with happiness when you come home. Awakening in the morning to a happy dog is also very important, it sets the tone for the day and as you pointed out, they need exercise and thus demand that you do the same. There have been studies done that owning a dog in particular helps their owner(s) live longer because of daily walking.

Additionally, apparently dogs have the ability to read your aura, to see if you need more love or should be avoided after a bad day after the initial greeting. Don't forget a dog is the biggest detriment to break ins as well, but all in all they are a friend for life.

I remember Wacky, but I thought in was your sisters cat. Perhaps it's the same name and different cat, but how that must have broke your heart. An animal is part of the family, and should always be considered so. Yes they cost money, but so does anything else and if you make enough food for yourself, what's a few extra pieces of meat and veggies for your loyal friends?

I remember the Iguana, it was very neat and apparently also a detriment to door to door sales people, and if I recall, also freaked out some birds on the wire in your backyard when it escaped.

My wife's sister has a labradoodle a breed of choice these days because it doesn't shed, has a nice personality, comes in all shapes and sizes and is hypoallergenic. They are nice dogs with a great disposition.

Don't forget the story of Snowy, when he followed your husband right into the car and expected a ride and got it! Snowy, our first dog, the beautiful Samoyed that everyone in the family loved, has a special place in my heart - he was that special.

Cats have their place as well, but they are more independent then dogs, but that doesn't mean they aren't loving in their own way - because they are. Bear must be a joy.

We have two cats, and being a dog person this wasn't an easy adjustment, they along with Spirit (our second Samoyed) pretty much remodeled our house. Between the three of them the rugs are pretty much destroyed in parts and Spirit pretty much ripped apart a couch and chewed some of mom's chairs.

Earlier this week, Sky our new Great Pyrenees, met three baby fox on our early morning walk. She's just thirteen weeks old and still timid of other dogs, so she was surprised when one of the foxes came to greet here from across the field. It 'barked' (more like a yap) and wanted to play. Sky quickly went the other way and I reversed course leaving the young fox perplexed that she didn't want to have fun. This sort of encounter doesn't happen if you don't get out and go for walks, these are lifetime memories.

Animals are very special indeed. Thanks for sharing your stories.

Cheers

Scott

Reply
Heather link
5/28/2020 08:54:08 am

Hey Scott:
I do remember the Snowy/husband story very well. In fact, all animals seem attracted to him---he must have a good aura. Snowy will always be special. Love the story of Sky and the baby fox. That is a true treasure.

Reply
Dick With
5/30/2020 12:12:12 pm

Hi Heather:
So you had a black cat named Pyewacket. My late sister did too. Where does the name come from? Was it a faiiry story about a witch and her cat? That sounds familiar. Do you know?

Many dogs being walked here each evening.during this self-isolation. Must admit, I miss having a dog. But when I watch their owners bending over to pick up their "offerings", well, better them than me.
All the best.
Dick

Reply
heather link
6/1/2020 12:46:18 pm

Dick: A Siamese cat named Pyewacket starred with Kim Novak in Bell, Book and Candle, 1958. But the name must have been a favourite feline name for ages. My cat's name was shortened to 'Wacky' but for sure there were superstitious overtones.
And one of the reasons we don't have a dog is for that very special time you mention...picking up after it/him/her!

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Bazar del Bizzarro, roland, Mike Kniec