For most people, pets are fun little companions that they keep around to enliven moments of boredom. For others pets are your chosen family, an adopted child, something that can never be replaced. There are a milieu of reasons why many women decide to adopt a pet instead of have biological children of their own. Whether you’re married, cohabitating or single, having a pet can be just as rewarding as raising a human child. And we are in no position to judge how people choose to start families, even if it is with animals. In fact, one would say that adopting an animal is just as, if not more, noble than rescuing a baby from an orphanage. Both have their place in society, both have their value to individual people. Here are 10 reasons why being a pet mum is the best.
They Love You Unconditionally
There is nothing quite like the love of a pet. They will probably shower you with more attention and affection than any human child. Sometimes a little too much. Just as much as we can sometimes obsess over our pets, our pets can sometimes obsess over us. Some might argue that animals don’t understand complex human emotions like love. But love itself, according to science at least, is the result of various chemicals interacting in our brain, the main one being the hormone ‘oxytocin’. To mammals specifically, oxytocin induces feelings of affection, connection and love. And love is something that all creatures experience, in their own way.
They Never Make for a Dull Moment
Our pets are always up to some mischief, but that is what we love about them. Whether it is messing up the toilet paper, scratching on the sofa or playing with the curtain tassels, pets make our lives interesting. It can both be a hassle and a delight, because we tend to forgive them so easily. There are also those rare heartfelt, sentimental moments where they cuddle up with us willingly. Not to mention all the cute things that our pets do that we photograph, record and share with our friends and family. There is an entire genre of online entertainment catered to adorable pet antics. Humans are and will probably forever be fascinated by animals. These things and more make being a pet mum all the more worthwhile.
They Keep you Healthy
Pets, especially dogs, are a good motivation for getting out of the house. They tend to get restless when they don’t get their exercise and their owners are sometimes forced to take them out for walks. This also forces the human to do some exercising too. So, if you’re a dog mum, make sure to put those running shoes to good use. But if you have cats, you can take them out for walks too, it’s just they may be a bit pernickety about it, especially if they’re not used to wearing leashes or harnesses. However, you may not get that many opportunities to exercise if you own like a lizard or a hamster. Those kinds of pets are predominantly indoor animals. You certainly don’t want to lose them while powerwalking in the park.
They Have Healing Powers
Pets have incredible healing powers, but is that really a surprise? The fact that therapy dogs exist to deal with things like PTSD and other psychological disorders is proof enough. But you may be wondering just how your furry child is able to do this. According to scientists, who knows? It could be their heartrending cuteness, their smooth, soft furs, or some inherent supernatural ability of which we lowly mortals could never understand. Whatever the case may be, pets are effective at reducing blood pressure and stress, alleviating anxiety, improving depression and even help with things like ADHD.
They Remind You of Your Humanity
People who have pets are significantly more compassionate than the average person. There is just something about taking care of an adorable, defenceless creature that tugs at your heartstrings. It really helps us reconnect with our deepest human roots where we are at our kindest and gentlest. Which is sometimes a well-needed relief. Sometimes the world makes us hard and stony, we care less and less about things. The trials and monotony of daily life strips our souls from the beauty and wonder of existence. Pets help melt our tough exteriors to touch the squishy, tender parts of us, the parts that let us form genuine and long-lasting bonds with people. Pets may be temporary, but the impact they leave on our conscience leaves a mark that cannot be erased.
They Cost Less
Pets cost much less to take care of than a human child. You don’t have to pay for clothes, school supplies, so if you’re a pet mum, you’ll definitely be saving a lot. Assuming you’re being frugal. Sometimes pet mums can spend just as much if not twice more for their pets than they would have if they had human children. From the toys to beds to catnip sprays and automatic feeders and water dispensers. Those bucks can quickly add up overtime. Not to mention if you’re an extra bougie pet mum who sends their child to the groomers every other week and buys high-end designer canned food. People tend to overindulge their pets when they have the financial means to do so. It’s only natural.
Being a Pet Mum is the Greatest
Sometimes a woman may not necessarily want to start a traditional, nuclear family; they are simply more built for a single or childless life. Unlike a human child, pets have a very short lifespan. For us, our pets make up only a small part of our lives. But to our pets, we are their entire world. Pet mums have the distinct honour of caring for an animal that would otherwise be living on the streets. And in return their adopted ‘children’ reward them with more love than they can comprehend.
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