There are world-class researchers out there who have been studying this bond for years, but in the last decade this body of research has increased in scope and depth. Having completed an undergraduate course in human-animal interaction with one of these top researchers, and having heard several of her colleagues lecture, I can tell you there is a definite recognition of the bond between us mere mortal humans and the pets we so dearly love. Scientific data points to the benefits this bond has for children, psychologically troubled individuals both young and old, people with dementia, people with physical illness or challenges, people who have had heart attacks, people who live in urban areas, people who live in rural areas…the list goes on and on.
I certainly enjoy reading about these studies and recommend you read a few to acquaint yourself with the body of knowledge that is available. My purpose for introducing you to this body of knowledge and encouraging you to dig deeper into the research is so that you can use the information as the basis for a mature and rational decision on when to get a new pet…or simply to help you appreciate your relationship with your current companion animal(s).
I feel it is important for the reader to understand that I am not launching a campaign designed to influence you to get or not get a pet. I am sharing all my life experiences to help you make the best decision for you, your family, and the animal companion(s) in your life right now.
Being a compartmentalized thinker—I love lists and concise definitions so I will cut to the chase here—I feel so much better owning and being engaged in a relationship with my pets. I feel better on a daily basis, especially if it is not a good day. They often change my mood and my whole sense of well-being. When I am really blue, my animal companions lift me out of the pits of despair and give me reason to move. That in turn makes me feel better physically and mentally. They are my “Rocky Mountain high” without any drugs and hence no side effects.
I learned of this concept several years ago, but had always been “that way,” and had grown up with family who were “that way” with our pets, so I did not give it much thought. Then I took a college course in human-animal interaction and began to see that there are two sides to every issue. The tinge of guilt that prompted me to research this topic more was the feeling that I might be harming my dear little pets. Was I an overbearing stage mom or the ever-hovering helicopter mom? Was I a “mom” at all? I knew they were dogs for heaven’s sake. My emotions roller-coastered as I thought of all the poor pets sleeping curled up under a porch somewhere with their only source of water frozen, or out in the heat of summer with no food or shelter, while my “children” slept in a warm bed and had their water bowl washed and refreshed daily.
Thousands of years have passed with the concept of anthropomorphism gaining acceptance, which has led us to think of our pets as having human tendencies. Couple this with evolutionary adaptations and human determination and you get a hot topic. In order to get this all compartmentalized so that I can address this anthropomorphism issue head on, I offer the following thoughts and suggestions on the potential effects of anthropomorphism:
•Companion pets have been bred through centuries to meet human needs and expectations. Breeding to enhance physical characteristics that please the human eye has resulted in negative effects on the health of certain dog breeds. Most notable are those breeds with “smashed faces.” These poor canines suffer respiratory and nasal problems that cause them frequent illness and premature death. Why encourage this kind of artificial manipulation of domestic animals? They trust us to do right by them—not breed them to have someone’s idea of a perfect-looking head!
•The practice of surgically modifying a pet for “looks” seems a bit over the top. Certain breeds genetically evolved to have floppy ears, and cropping has no positive health effects. In cats, the procedure for declawing has undergone some modifications to make it less painful, but unless the cat is always kept indoors and will never need to climb a tree or protect itself, it is akin to amputating human fingers to stumps.
•The largest cause of death among cats and dogs is homelessness due to overpopulation.
•Between five and nine million companion animals are euthanized each year due to overpopulation in shelters.
•Countless pets that do not make it to a shelter are neglected and suffer death because no one cares for them.
•25% of shelter dogs are purebreds.
•Approximately $2 billion in taxpayer money is spent each year euthanizing unclaimed companion animals.
Here are some salient points to remember when you encounter people with pets or when you are doing your own research:
•Discourage those who do not understand the importance of spay and neuter from breeding a family pet. Also steer clear of those who breed dogs, cats and other pets solely for profit without regard for genetic or health standards. I respect and applaud the conscientious breeders who have taken upon themselves the task of studying genetic factors and other health considerations in breeding to achieve the accepted standards for that breed.
•Learn about your animal companion’s personality and needs. Puppy class and/or basic obedience training is almost always helpful. The classes are designed to teach you, the owner of the pet, how to provide consistent commands, behavior modification, and rewards that result in a well-behaved pet and a rewarding owner/pet relationship. Companion animals see humans as the leaders of the pack; they count on us, so don’t disappoint. No need to be harsh, but do lead them—they need it.
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•Spoiling your animal companion can cause separation anxiety. Be a strong but kind leader of the pack and find out what is triggering your pet’s anxiety.
•My dogs have hats—yes, hats—I had made that reflect their individual personalities. I do not make them wear the hats even though they stoically sit there for occasional pictures in the hats (they know it pleases me). It causes no harm, so if you dress your dog or buy fancy cat condos I would venture to say that you are practicing anthropomorphism in a perfectly acceptable way—unless the dog eats the hat!
•Without delving into the extensive research on whether companion animals have emotions similar to human emotions, it is widely known and accepted that they are social animals. They like to interact with their human owners. Verbal communication is nice and play is wonderful.
After all this, here is a concise summary of these remarks: Learn
