I have had pets twice in my entire life, and it's really hard thinking about them at the moment. I lost one to an accident, and the other just went missing without any traces. Every effort to find her was futile, and I had to give up because holding on to the memories of my missing pet wasn't healthy for me. I knew it the moment I started having mood swings whenever I thought of her.
It used to sound like an exaggeration when people speak about the bond they share with their pets, but it isn't. Humans and animals have developed a strong connection in the world today, and this relationship has taken a new height if we are being realistic.
I had my first pet, a dog, when I was very young. I was so full of energy, and it was the same thing for my dog. I called him Pepsi because it was black and there weren't even fancy names then, or probably, living in the trenches influenced the name.
Pepsi was always on the move, and that was just me. Once I am done with assignments after school, I am either playing football, making kites, plucking fruit from one tree to another, or sometimes catching insects. Of course, we did all these things together so anyone who knows Pepsi belongs to me can tell where he got so much energy from.
Even until the point of death, we were playing so hard together. I still remember the soft whimper before everything ended; it was really a sad one.
I carried the fear of losing another pet but finally ditched the fear. I had grown very well, and there is no playful George anymore. It's a chicken this time, and I hope you are not laughing right now.
I noticed one of my chick was always following me everywhere, it became so fond of me, and I couldn't resist it. I named her Shukura - it's a terrible name, but my little chick became famous because of that name.
We became close pals, and once I am sitting outside my apartment, she will always sit with me. Very calm and observant, everyone fell in love with Shukura as she grew older. I knew it was a silly thing to keep a bird as a pet, especially when you have siblings who are threatening to kill the chick when it becomes big enough to fill the pot.
I treated Shukura differently from other chickens, and she's indeed special. Every morning, she comes to my window and makes silly sounds just to get my attention. To cut the story short, Shukura carried this calm personality of mine, and that's because she does the things I do. Just sit and watch as other chickens are scattering everywhere.
One thing I believe very well is that pets study their owners and imitate their personalities. When the owner of a pet is an extrovert, there are high chances of the pet being the type that always wants to be outdoors, and when it's the other way around, the pet will also be affected. I know pets have their personalities as well, but many times, they are influenced by those who care for them.
Let me put my experience aside. I know a friend whose dog doesn't allow dirt around her. She loves to stay clean, and that's just Bisola for you; he doesn't like dirt either, no matter how small it is. Whenever you see him having issues with a neighbor, colleagues, or siblings, it's mostly about cleanliness.
Many of the animals we keep as pets are very intelligent, and they learn from us. They watch how we do, and let's not forget that we also play a part in shaping their behavior/personality, so it's fair to say that pet owners influence their pets personalities. They might not pick up everything from us, but there is always that one thing we are known for that our pet exhibit.
Like I mentioned earlier, the bond between humans and pets is a profound relationship. Let's put companionship these pets offer us aside, they also reflect our personalities, values and lifestyles. It's very simple to explain because as we care and nurture them, they become vital parts of our lives.