I still remember as a kid pleading with my parents to permit me to have a rose-ringed parakeet as a pet. My parents didn’t accede and I was very disappointed.
Now as an adult I’m not sorry my parents denied me what I thought was a pleasure because caging a bird is an unkind act to say the least. I would like to strongly suggest to others not to have a free-flying bird in a cage or its wings clipped, unless it is injured or needs human care for recuperation.
Having a dog or a cat as a pet is different from having a parakeet or a deer, because the first two are domesticated and the last two are wild.
Many of us love to have pets around us. In fact it is good for us to keep a pet. For instance, dogs are considered man’s best friend. Apart from guarding us and our possessions, they also act as stress busters.
Even research has proved that pets have a positive influence on our lives.
It is fine to have a pet but it depends on what animal you decide to keep and how you take care of it. So before you decide to have a pet it is better you do some introspection and be sure you really want to have one and are willing to make adjustments to your daily routine, spend time and energy for it. To facilitate an easy decision, you must think of the changes that a pet could bring to your routine. If you are a student who needs to board your college bus by 7 am and your parents also need to leave at the same time or a little later, you need to decide who will take your dog for a morning walk. These are small but necessary things you need to perform for your pet.
Another important aspect you need to consider is whether your house can accommodate it. An apartment may not be an ideal place for a doberman or for that matter an exotic hyacinth macaw. You should not choose a native or a protected animal as a pet and must be aware of wildlife protection laws. These laws prevent people from keeping any native wild species and exotic species captured from the wild as pets. Even if you have an exotic species that has been bred in captivity, as a buyer you should check for relevant papers. You should also inform the authorities concerned so that you do not violate quarantine laws.
If you are sure that you have chosen the ideal pet and believe that you can provide it with appropriate space and diet and spend considerable time then you must certainly go for it. Once you have a pet it will bring certain welcome changes in your life — it will definitely keep you relaxed and your health will improve. You will maintain a stable blood pressure. As a result you will have a positive outlook on life as well.
It has been proven by research that children who have pets are a lot more regular to school than those without them.
Though there are so many nice things to say about pets and accepting them as one among us, it is still not that easy to have one. Many of us may get a pet just to satisfy our initial interest and urge to have one, but sustaining that interest is rather demanding. There are also some among us who believe that their lifestyle or their living space may not allow them to have a pet.
These individuals do show their love for animals by feeding dogs on the street or a cat that visits them at dinner time. The best thing about feeding street dogs and keeping track of their well being is that you will be saving them from getting pounded and they will guard you, even if they don’t live with you. I have friends who feed the ubiquitous crows every morning and as days passed by I have observed mynahs, koels, and squirrels visiting them during feeding time. I also know a person who feeds bread pieces to a pair of mongooses that visit him every evening. It is a secret that he does not want to share with his neighbours for he believes that they might not be happy to know that mongooses are living in the neighbourhood. Some may like animals and some may not. However, it is better to show some love and affection to these creatures that live around us.
Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal — difficult standards for people to live up to — Alfred A Montapert.