When and how to use your pet

“I have never liked pets all my life, but I think I am prepared to give one a try now”. That was the terse statement a newly introduced client of mine made when he visited the hospital days ago. He had said this, having waited patiently to arrest my attention on a busy day at the hospital. “And what made you change your mind”, I asked. “Three times”, ‘Doctor, three times I have been visited by armed robbers within one year.”

“In fact, my wife has threatened to leave our newly completed house situated on the fringes of Ogun State.”
“Doctor, do you know it took me over 15 years to complete this house, and now, my family is threatening to leave. Please, I am already attached to the environment, I can’t leave and I don’t want them to leave, help doctor”.

“How may I help sir?”
“A lot of ways. I just told you, I am ready to imbibe a pet-keeping culture. You need to give me lessons and I am ready to learn,” he said.I assured him that he was in the right place but he had to be told the truth about his situation. Firstly, the reasons he had advanced for the sudden turn of events were germane. No reasonable husband and father would fold his arms and allow armed robbers to have a free reign in his domain. It is pertinent that something is done. But, to want to start loving pets just like that, might not just tickle my fancy. He must work hard.

At this point, he pleadingly promised to surprise me in this pet-keeping enterprise in weeks to come. I looked at his face and believed him.It must, however, be stated that, scaring away robbers should not be the only reason why pets are so good for us or be the trigger to love them, it is my believe that such contrived love does not last, unless, it is well cultivated by the individual concerned.

Apart from the belief that pets can help someone overcome stress, they are also useful for the following:
. Providing a living, breathing being to trust: Touch is vital for our emotional health. Petting a cat that just jumped up on your lap after a busy day is calming and encouraging. Who can resist a smile when that cat begins to purr and look at you lovingly?

. Comforting a child: When feeling scared or insecure, children often turn to their pets for comfort. And holding a friendly guinea pig, rabbit or any other small pet can ease daily worries.

. Offering consistency and anticipation: Teaching your pet bird a new word or your dog a new trick gives you a sense of accomplishment and success daily. I admire the delight and happiness of owners, each time they exhibit the intricate abilities of their dog. Here, I am talking of owners who had invested time training their dogs.

. Giving us a view of a different world: When you have a pet and realise that this creature does not worry about any other thing except his next meal, you begin to grasp the futility of this world, its vanity, and it is a sure lesson we must all learn and these creatures are there to teach us.

. Showing care to another creature: I always feel very happy each time I see children upbeat about their pets. It makes me immensely very happy to see them worry about their pooches. Today, I marvel when my children rather than ask for their food, disturb me about Bruno and his needs. It only proves something, they are beginning to learn how to care for other things aside themselves. And, that attitude will also shape their relationship with people in future.

So, to my client who desperately wants a dog because of armed robbers, he should also be prepared to love this dog and enjoy the loyalty and affection the dog will give him and his family. And as bonuses, all the other things I have enumerated, especially, the relief of stress and the lessons of life these pets can teach us.