Life is busy, and we don’t always get to spend as much time with our pets as we would like. It has become disturbingly typical, however, to see dogs expected to spend 95% of their time, or more, confined to a single space with little to no interaction. If this rings true of your own pet’s living situation, then – with all due respect – perhaps it is time to reconsider pet ownership altogether.
Taking on a pet is an immense responsibility, and many seem to underestimate the amount of time and effort necessary to provide an animal with a worthwhile life. As is the case with children, as a pet owner, you are not merely responsible for the survival of your pet. Your responsibilities include ensuring that your pet feels safe, loved, and comfortable.
Pets can be disruptive to one’s lifestyle, this much is true. But the same could be said for children, extracurricular activities, and even relationships. The fact is, we choose what we are willing to deal with in exchange for certain benefits. Taking responsibility for the life of a living being is not something that should be taken lightly, and the potential drawbacks of pet ownership should be thoroughly considered before one commits to taking on a pet.
This means that barking, chewing, accidents in the house, over-excitability, and other nuisances are simply par for the course, and do not justify a lifetime – or even a day’s – worth of solitary confinement. In the interest of perspective, consider your own life should you be in a position of near-total reliance on others for survival.
Imagine an existence of repeating 24 hour increments during which you are confined to a small space with your only interaction being the brief periods throughout the day during which your food ration is replenished. Does this strike you as any way to live, or does it sound like jail? If you chose the latter, you’d be closer to the mark. But even in jail, for the most part, inmates are given time each day to exercise and socialize with others.
So when happening upon these types of situations, one can’t help but wonder what atrocities these animals could have possibly committed to warrant such abhorrent living conditions. But the cruelty of these circumstances often transcends psychological abuse and manifests as blatant physical abuse when extreme weather conditions come into play.
It is a heartbreakingly regular occurance to catch sight of pets left tied up in frigid conditions and being pelted by snow, with nothing but a kennel – or less – to serve as a means of shelter. The increasingly sweltering summers present similar issues, as perhaps even more so than in winter, pets are left to withstand brutal temperatures with little to solace.
Finally, a pet is not a decoration. It is not an accessory, and it deserves time and attention. If you own a dog, you can rest assured that you mean the world to it. Play with your dog, talk to it, engage with it for more than a few fleeting moments during the day. Even if it is inside for the most part, you should not leave your dog crammed in a kennel for the better part of the day, each and every day.
Exercise some empathy. During one of the most difficult times in modern history in an already harsh world, there is no reason not to spread some joy when given the opportunity.