I've gotten to know Pinoise quite a bit in the past few weeks. She's a simple cat, she doesn't excessively crave attention, and she's quite the empathic creature. Having her around made me think, why do people have pets anyway?
Technically, the idea of imprisoning creatures that are considered less sentient than us for our amusement and pleasure could be considered as a form of modern-day slavery. Honestly, how many of us get pets for pure and altruistic reasons anyway?
When I look at Pinoise, I see an obviously regal composure. Her ancestors were probably once proud lionesses who roamed the Saharan deserts and struck fear in the hearts of men. From her apparent awareness of her surroundings, and her swift adjustments from one home (the breeder) to another, she must be from a line of exceptionally regal lions (or tigers, I don't really know where cats come from...).
[She's purring and gliding underneath my arm and onto the keyboard, while scratching Molly and trying to nuzzle me as I type this post. Funny how she gets all excited whenever she hears the 'door closing' sound in Yahoo! Messenger.]
She's affectionate without being too clingy, but at times, I can feel how lonely she is. She is taunted daily by the thought that a neighbouring cat is just on the other side of the door and the wonderful scent of rain and jasmine flowers just outside the window.
Some people get pets to fulfill a need. But once that need has been fulfilled have we ever considered the feelings of our pets? Once we have filled that gap that necessitated the pet procurement, do we leave our pets to live their lives in a stony existence, devoid of nature and contact with other living creatures?
Having pets is a huge responsibility. Taking one home also means being responsible for their happiness and well-being, almost like taking care of a child. It's sad that after millenia of domestication, cats, dogs, hamsters and goldfish have devolved to the point that there is possibly no natural setting in which they can survive. It's interesting to note that Pinoise' ancestors were once probably the most resilient creatures in the jungle and yet today, she needs a human to teach her how to scratch for her Friskies.
"The domestication of animals probably began about 12,000 years ago and involves more than simply taming. Certain animals had the temperament to remain close to humans, receiving benefits such as protection or a more secure food supply. Humans probably enclosed and more strongly influenced the animal's behavior to ensure a more secure food supply. Other factors such as companionship (the dog was the first domestic animal), religious reasons and use as beasts of burden made the links more secure. Animals are domesticated when they are kept for clear purposes, their breeding is controlled, survival depends on humans, and they have acquired traits not found in the wild."- extracted from this site.
Modern day slavery continues, because the slave cannot live without the master.
Other reads:
Evolution, consequences and Future of Plant and Animal Domestication
It's unfortunate that domestication led to the master/slave relationship. However, the joy of seeing the furry one greeting you after a long day at work is priceless ;-).
Posted by: magixcarpet at 2003年12月03日 23:22I never did like to have pets. Not bcos I don't like animals but bcos I appreciate the responsibilities that come with it. In Malaysia, we're prone to the balik kampung season and leaving the pet at home without any one looking after it is not a good thing. Bringing them is not an ideal option either, what with the long drives.
Imagine taking a goldfish on a flight/drive to your kampung.
Posted by: namiaf at 2003年12月04日 10:42I never did like to have pets. Not bcos I don't like animals but bcos I appreciate the responsibilities that come with it. In Malaysia, we're prone to the balik kampung season and leaving the pet at home without any one looking after it is not a good thing. Bringing them is not an ideal option either, what with the long drives.
Imagine taking a goldfish on a flight/drive to your kampung.
Posted by: namiaf at 2003年12月04日 10:42Or rather the master cannot live without the slave. Its a bit of a conundrum. But when i look at your cat, i can imagine myself falling in love and "Master" becomes just a title.
Posted by: Aizuddin Danian at 2003年12月04日 11:35I would like to note that Pinoise is not my cat. But we are kindred spirits, I think she feels my pain too sometimes...
Posted by: Najah at 2003年12月04日 11:40Chomelnye!!! It's their dependency on humans that makes them so endearing. Pets evoke the feeling that we're needed by them, that we're loved unconditionally. Maybe that's why humans keep pets, because of those special feelings...
Posted by: sarini at 2003年12月04日 12:10Some years back I was greeted at my doorstep by a stray dog. But since the place I lived had a "no-pets" policy, I could not bring it home with me. Still, I fed it scraps of food I was eating. And soon it became a routine.
Everyday, he'd wait for me at my doorstep and soon I started to look forward to these encounters. Pretty soon, I began knocking off work at the exact time everyday, just cos I knew the little guy would be there waiting for me. One thing led to another and I found myself waking up early in the morning just to go to the market, get some meat scraps for doggie!
And every evening, I'd serve him his dinner and afterwards he'd just lie at my feet while I brushed his fur. At that point, my life had taken a turnaround. There was someone waiting for me when I got home - so I went home directly after work. I began to understand the joys of owning a dog. Only, he wasn't my dog. But I'm pretty sure he felt like I was his human! :)
He's since gone. And for weeks after the day he didn't show up, I still waited faithfully at my doorstep with his dinner, in case he got hungry and decided to pay his best friend a visit. But he never came. But he changed me in a way so profound that till today I wonder what happened to me that time when he came into my life.
Posted by: spit at 2003年12月04日 12:15"why do people have pets anyway?"
i ask myself that everyday.
but then i realize it's that doofus face that slobbers all over me a greets me when i come home.
it's the silly way he presents me his treasure. (sticks from the yard and strange creatures)
or maybe it's even the way he curls up with me and ryan on the sofa. the way he has tricks up his ass in exchange for a treat.
but i think, most of all, it's the way he shows me life and all it's surrounding beauty in the little things.
Posted by: racheal at 2003年12月04日 15:03Pets hv a sort of indescribable connection with human. Somehow they always seem to "understand" & "listen" to us. It's nice to have a pet come greet you after a day's work, be it a dog, cat or in my case, hamsters :þ
Posted by: oliviasy at 2003年12月04日 15:25a simple topic like this can draw so much comments? you're amazing najah!
funny what cats/kittens can be to a mum who wants to have grandchildren so much (even without declaring it we, the siblings can tell)
What's more with all the sons almost never home/ working late all the time....
*sigh*
I could never stand going to the zoo ... and till today I am still trying to understand the people that enjoy going there ...
Posted by: low at 2003年12月05日 10:23