Animals are better than humans at expressing gratitude

Recently, the social media was outraged after a video showing a man throwing off a dog from the rooftop went viral. The dog, though badly injured, survived. Although I am not a lover of pets, I could not contain my anger at the insensitivity of the man for this cruel act.

I am sure that there are many like me who do not have a pet at home, but are aware of the advantages of having one, especially a dog. With their playfulness, loyalty and sincerity towards their masters, dogs help in spreading joy in a household. These qualities can help a person recover from injury or a disease. Besides, pets are good companions.

American author and humourist Mark Twain once made this caustic comment, “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.” Certainly, we keep coming across stories of the faithfulness of pets.

Legend has it that the Pandavas while setting out for their final journey were accompanied by a dog and Yudhishthira refused to enter Heaven without his faithful dog, which transformed into the god of dharma and blessed Yudhishthira for his selflessness. The thought-provoking words of the famous British veterinary surgeon and writer James Herriot should inspire us to care for animals, “If having a soul means being able to feel love, loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.”