What makes our pooches special?
Amrita
Pet parents would definitely agree that pooches are precious. They are special and will always be special. Let’s see why.
Recently, a Bengaluru girl made news when she turned down a marriage proposal because the prospective groom did not like dogs. While many may not agree with her decision, those who love the four-legged will understand exactly why she did it. It also brings to mind a quote I read of Charles de Gaulle, former president of the French Republic, “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” A recent survey titled ‘Pets Over Everything’, conducted by the overseas corporate housing firm ADOBO, has revealed how important and valuable pets are to their pet parents. As per the results of the survey, most pet parents were seen to value their pets more than their material things. Not just that, nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they ‘prefer their pets over their significant others’. Similar survey by the AP and Petside.com revealed that 14 percent of people who participated said that they would rather break up with their partner rather than parting with their pet.So, what is about the pets who make them take precedence over everything and everyone else?
Unconditional love
Actor Robert Wagner rightly said, “A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.” Anyone who has ever had a dog for a pet would agree that if there’s one thing that’s most special about dogs is that they give you their unconditional love. No matter how your treat them, how many mood swings you subject them to and how many times you turn them away, they still want to be with you, love you and seek your love. And the only thing they want in return is to be with you.
Always there for you
Dogs provide us with a sense of comfort, companionship and security that no matter what happens they will always be there for us. Many dog lovers find this aspect most appealing about their pets. “They are always happy to see us; the joyous welcome they give us makes us feel loved, wanted and valued,” says Pritika, an ardent dog-lover. It’s no wonder then that author Dean Koontz said, “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
De-stressing effect
Everyone who has a dog will agree that dogs are the biggest de-stressors ever. No matter how tensed, irritable or angry one is with one’s life, the moment our dogs come around us, the tension dissipates. “I can actually feel my nerves relaxing the moment my dog nuzzles me, or comes and sits by me. The moment I see or touch my dog, I feel at peace. In my stressful work life, I can’t imagine how I can survive without my dog to calm me down,” says Anmol, who works in the newsroom and often suffers from anxiety attacks. Like him, there are many who feel that spending time with dogs is like meditation. “They calm you down, bring about that sense of peace and relax your jittery nerves, just as in meditation,” says Radhika, a psychology student. That’s why author Kristan Higgins said, “When an 85 pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.”
Dogs are always faithful
Renowned dog trainer Cesar Millan rightly says, “Dogs don’t rationalise. They don’t hold anything against a person. They don’t see the outside of a human but the inside of a human.” In a world where relationships have become so fragile, dogs seem to be the most faithful. Their feelings don’t change with the tide of time. They continue to love us, stand by us and remain loyal to us despite our failings or shortcomings.
Love you for what you are and who you are
And last but not the least, one thing that is most endearing about dogs is that they love you for what you are, not for who you are. For them, we are their whole world, their entire universe and their very raison de etre. It is not for nothing that photographer and writer Roger Caras said, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”