Why people keep pets?
What makes keeping animals as pets an interesting hobby?
The two questions above was prompted by two things that happened yesterday and today. Yesterday while I was at the mall, I stumbled across a cute little French Bulldog puppy in the pet store. This little puppy was imported from Taiwan and appeared to be cock-eyed – where both pupils are far apart from each other in opposite directions. My first thought was why importing such an inferior quality animal and sold for such a high price. On the tag, it was also stated “Grand Champion Lineage”. The image of the puppy lingered on my mind as I spent time at the mall today. It is interesting to walk around the mall looking at all that are put up for sale. Window shopping sometimes put a lot into perspective between necessity and luxury. Materialism can really get the better of us.
Then it dawned on me that animals are sometimes mistaken as materials or commodities – they sell!
So why do human beings keep pets?
I did a Google search and found some interesting answers.
I have a few takes on this question and would like to break them down as the following:-
The Lover In Us
I would like to believe that most humans are compassionate. There is an altruistic part in us instilled by either our upbringing or religion. We seek to nurture and want to love or care unconditionally. I do hope this is the most of us.
The Dominance In Us
Some may feel good being above others – better or stronger. Knowing that one is far superior than another being can make us feel good and that itself can be used to feed the ego.
The Loner In Us
Humans are also social beings and living in a situation without constant affection by another of the same kind may be a little depressing. Keeping a pet for company is not a bad idea especially one that do not talk back or argue.
The Greed In Us
Those aspired and inspired to seek riches exploits all the above people. They are out to do anything to achieve their goals which is making a sale and get the numbers. “Champion Bloodlines”, “Imported Bloodlines” and many more tags are some of the ways in which one can claim credibility. Credibility as we all know, sells!
Bear in mind, I am just thinking aloud instead of saying it is right or wrong here. No matter what one say, it cannot be that powerful to influence. Everyone can and should make his/her conclusion.
I believe it boils down to principles and what is the cause one chooses to support or fight for.
For me, this brings me back to the French Bulldog puppy. Being a sucker for flat faced pets, I spent a few minutes going through some local classifieds just to see what are available in the market. I was totally shocked by what I found. There is one particular classified that showed a photo of a Frenchie puppy that looked like a teacup Boxer – it was scrawny, thin and in no way resembles a Frenchie. It was from “Grand Champion Lineage”.
I have concluded that if I ever own a dog, it would be a mongrel adopted from reputable rescuers. The main reason for my conclusion is because I am sick and tired of greedy people exploiting something cute and selling them as commodities and materials to the materialistic.
The sad thing is, it is happening in the “Rabbit World”. The same reason why the Holland Lop and the Netherland Dwarf are the two most popular rabbit breeds. A title grants exclusivity and claims superiority.
It all boils down to whether if it is merely a THING or a LIVING THING.
We WANT that THING but LOVE the LIVING.
WANT or LOVE?
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