Pets -Relations Beyond Species Barrier

The relationship between humans and animals goes way back in the history of time. Long before they were kept as pets, animals were domesticated by men for a variety of purposes. Over the years, these furry beings transcended the boundaries and have come to share the domestic spaces of humans. Humans and their relationship with animals can be traced back to the time of the Second World War. During the war, it was a common practice for households to store chicken and rabbits for consumption. A woman narrated her account of how she grew fond of one of the rabbits and how disheartened she was when it had to be ultimately sacrificed, “it was killed and strung up to eat. I have never been able to eat meat since those days and have been vegetarian ever since.” [1]Such an emotional bond between humans and pets has become embedded in the everyday lives of those who keep pets.

In 1999, the Pet Sitters International created a “Take your Dog to Work” Day. A few years prior to this the Ms Foundation for women created the “Take your Daughter to Work” day. Both these events are celebrated each year with ever-increasing participation. The creation of a similar kind of program for a pet and children emphasizes the value of pets in human society. Pets are considered to be individuals to the extent that a certain personhood is ascribed to them by humans. This is indicated by the fact that pets are given names-which not only separates them from the rest of the animals but also confers a personal touch. Interestingly, several people also add the family surname to the pet’s name. This connectedness between humans and animals is strengthened by the fact that there is no fixing of a physical demarcation between the spaces occupied by pets and owners. Pets are usually allowed unlimited access to almost all spaces in the house including the bedroom and bathroom. It is not unusual for pets such as dogs and cats to sleep in the same bed as their owners especially children. Moreover, it should be noted that not only private spaces, but the food is also shared. Sharing of food not only incorporates the special pet food bought for them but also the food consumed by humans. It is a common practice for a family member to give bits and pieces of the food he/she is eating to the pet. Such practices leads to the creation of an intimate bond.

Pets can act as the perfect substitutes for humans. It has been observed that when human relations fail to provide emotional support and companionship, people seek that relatedness in their pets. There are cases where a puppy was regarded as a brother by a boy who did not have siblings and a fish was considered best friend by a little girl who had moved to a new town and was unable to make friends. It is not only the solace and affection provided by pets which enable them to act as substitutes but the difference in it as compared to the attachment provided by a human companion. Pets and especially dogs are known to be devoted and loyal in comparison to people. It has been argued that “relationships with animals were valued not only because animals were 'almost human' but also because they were not.”(fudge 2008)[2]Many pet owners have found relations with pets to be more secure and enduring than those with humans. A simple reason for this is that the relations with pets are uncomplicated and free of issues involved in human ties. Thus, it can be stated that pets do not merely portray the roles of substitutes but are in themselves better than humans in terms of providing and maintaining an emotional connection.The significance of the relationship between humans and pets can be understood by the loss of a pet. While it has already been mentioned that pets can be substitutes for humans, it is not the same the other way round. Since pets are seen as individuals in themselves their loss is considered to be irreplaceable. It has been observed that people mourn the death of their pets for a long time. Such behaviour demonstrates that the grief experienced on the death of a pet is similar to the misery felt on the passing away of a close person. This indicates that the relation with pets is on par with those with humans. The fact has been validated by several people when asked about the demise of their pets- “it was like losing a friend”, “I was absolutely devastated…we were like soul-mates”, “She left a big gap in my life”, “ We found it as upsetting as the deaths of humans”.

It should not be assumed that animals act as substitutes only when certain positions in the kinship or social networks are unoccupied. Since in most cases relationships with pets exist together with rather than as a substitute for relationships with humans, completing the family. Such a bond is not a new or extraordinary phenomenon but an everyday experience for those who have pets and thus constitute a relationship beyond the species barrier, justifying the quote that," a pet is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”

References :

[1] Charles ,Nickie. Animals Just Love You as You Are': Experiencing Kinship across the Species Barrier. pg726

[2] ibid pg725