At Home With Pets
Those who have a dog at home know that special feeling when they arrive home – after a long day at school or work – to be greeted with a wagging tail and a few excited licks to the face. It’s just magical! Being showered with the unconditional love of a dog, one would know why the dog is called “man’s best friend.”
And is not limited to dogs. Maybe it’s a cat the family keeps at home instead. When anyone in the house is down in the dumps, the furry and purr-y friend is sure to be there to snuggle up beside him as if to reassure that everything is going to be just fine. Cats make great cuddle buddies any time of the day.
Some other type of pet – whether it’s a fish, a turtle, a bird, a snake, a rabbit, a guinea pig, a horse, a sheep, or a chicken – can really make life feel better. The very act of tending pets itself is good mental distraction from whatever concern is pulling one down. The love that one gets in return is added reward.
But why, in the first place, do human beings want to keep pets? No one knows for sure when the first animals were tamed to live alongside human beings. By nature, human beings have always been fond of animals; perhaps because they themselves are animals, although the highest in rank.
Historians say that the first domesticated animals were intended to help in human tasks. Even to this day, carabaos help the farmer plow the field. Cows could give milk, and sheep could be sheared for wool to make clothing. Some animals are even purposely raised for food.
This may not be the case with pets. Many people today keep pets because they just love to have these creatures around. The very presence of animals in people’s lives is enough reason to keep pets.
When humans work closely with animals, bonds form. These bonds lead to humans viewing animals as much more than just “tools.” Animals become favorite companions to humans.
Majority of homes have at least one pet. Families find pets to be comforting companions. They keep people healthy by positively distracting them from stressful thoughts. They play and show love, keeping their owners from being lonely.
Pets provide physical and mental benefits to their owners, including decreasing blood pressure and depression. Not every pet is right for every human, but some animals consistently rank at the top of the popularity list. The website https://wonderopolis.org lists the most common pets in human homes:
Dogs. Dogs have been domesticated for about 14,000 years, longer than any other animal. People love dogs because these pets are generally easy to train, faithful and loyal, and can go almost anywhere. They will also protect the home and act as a playmate for the entire family.
Cats. Many Filipino homes own cats. Often the cats are just there fending for themselves, without the homeowners particularly attending to them except by tolerating their presence in the house. Cats can exercise themselves and don’t need to be walked or taken outside to relieve themselves. Some cat owners, though, are more nurturing and take care of their cats the same way they do with their dogs. And cats ‘pay rent’ by doing pest control duties.
Fish. While their owners can’t curl up with them, fish are popular among pet lovers too. Whether freshwater or saltwater, aquariums are common sights in homes. It’s calming to watch these gorgeous creatures swim around. Owners can leave them alone without worry and with minimal arrangements, aside from the fact that aquariums make nice home decors, too.
Birds. Many people keep birds for pets to provide them with entertainment and for its striking visual beauty. Pet birds are not really domesticated animals, but can still form bonds with their human owners.
Rabbits. While these cute and cuddly animals are quite delicate and need proper attention, many people cannot resist the urge to bring one home. Rabbits are quiet so they make great apartment pets. But they also need exercise. Once they have established a connection with their owners, rabbits can make affectionate and entertaining pets.
There are various other animals that people bring home as pets. The needs and maintenance may vary, but the purpose is the same – entertainment and good company. A house with pets is very seldom lonely and boring, if at all – instead, it’s often alive with fun and play!