The title of this column is slightly different from the signs usually seen. However, at the end of this piece, hopefully you will understand my angle on it.

“Oh, it’s so cute!”, is what precedes a lifetime of happiness, laughs, joy and sometimes heartache. That’s the moment when you see that adorable little bundle of fluff and fur and decide to buy it and take it home. Before you make that decision, you really need to consider the responsibilities and requirements of owning a pet.

The reality is that little bundle of joy, as is with humans, do not necessarily remain cute. They grow up and change. Would you still love them? Care for them? Nurture them? Additionally, and sadly, I must add, many folk get a dog for security reasons, to ward off or intimidate potential robbers. It becomes very much like a weapon. It must do its job, without you doing much for it.

Would it not be better if you treat it with love and kindness and automatically it gets protective over you? You see, and I will state the obvious, that an animal is a living, breathing creature. They require attention, they need to be fed. They require medical attention when the need arises. Simply stated, they need your love and devotion as much as you rely on them to reciprocate naturally.

The reality is that taking on the responsibility of having a pet is as much as taking on a wife or husband. The commitment is for life-long and non-negotiable. The reason for me choosing this topic is the proliferation of recent cases covered in the media of pets being neglected or abused. A sad state of affairs.

A pet is not a toy. It has specific needs.

A few are as follows:

- Food and water: Ensure your pet has access to a nutritious diet and fresh water at all times.

- Shelter: Provide a safe, comfortable, and appropriate living space for your pet.

- Exercise and mental stimulation: Regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial for a pet's physical and mental health.

- Grooming: Regular grooming, such as brushing, bathing, and nail trimming, are important for maintaining your pet's hygiene and health.

Training and socialisation: Proper training and socialisation help ensure your pet is well-behaved and can interact safely with others.

It is important to ensure that you only select and get the type and number of pets you can adequately provide for. To put it bluntly: don’t choose a Rottweiler if you can only care for a Chihuahua.

I am detailing these factors to you from experience. I grew up with pets, as my parents loved animals. I suppose that’s why they had me!

Another layer to owning a pet is that very seldom would they outlive you. Losing a pet is a devastating experience. They become part of your life. An integral part of your family. Trust me, when they sadly pass on, it will be like losing a close relative. I know because I have been through it four times. The love and affection these little beings give you is unconditional. All they ask from you is to love them back and feed them. For that you receive a friend for the duration of their life.

I refuse to have a pet these days as I can’t handle the loss when it comes. The thing I abhor is cruelty to animals. If I witness it, rest assured that I will render the equivalent treatment to the perpetrator.

Last week, Facebook went viral about a video showing a teenager baiting and torturing two already emaciated dogs by hitting them with a plank that had embedded nails in it. The community got into an uproar and rightly so. The SPCA and police services wasted no time in tracking down the dogs and rescuing them.

The cowardly piece of trash unfortunately is on the run. I would love spending a private five minutes with him. I promise you that the experience would dog him for the rest of his unnatural life. The inspectors who work for the SPCA are heroes to me. They see the most horrific treatment meted out to God’s lowly creation. Makes me wonder who really is the lower creation?

If you own a pet, bless you for taking care of a special provision of the Almighty. A report from the University of Michigan states and I quote: “There are many benefits to owning a pet. Pets teach children valuable life lessons like responsibility, trust, compassion, respect and patience.”

Those of you who live in close communities and suburbs, do not turn a blind eye or deaf ear to incidents of neglect or abuse of animals in your neighbourhood. Be a voice for the voiceless. Until I catch up with you in a fortnight – “woof woof to you”!

#pets

Be aware of the dog