Animal Communication Brainteaser: When is a Pet Not a Pet?

That question popped into my mind the other day: “When is a pet not a pet?”  It was quickly followed by, “What exactly is a pet?” and “Who are we humans to make pets of other species?”

Nice reflective questions for a cold MN afternoon.

I started my search to discover what exactly a pet is and how a “pet” is perceived by humans.  Definitions I found online included: “A domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility” and “an animal kept for amusement or companionship.”

Synchronistically, one of my cousins sent me a link to a site showing a virtual dog.  You type in the commands, and the dog does whatever you ask.

Maybe the cold has numbed my mind, maybe I’m up on a soapbox, but I began to be bothered by phrases such as “kept for pleasure” and “kept for amusement.”  The human’s pleasure and amusement?…The animal’s pleasure and amusement?  Where’s the animal’s say on all of this?  When a creature is “kept” by another creature doesn’t that automatically make the first creature subservient to the second creature?  Wouldn’t the creature that is kept inevitably become low “dog” on the totem pole?

Don’t get me wrong.  Heaven knows I have had and continue to have more than my fair share of pets.  Yesterday I attended a WIN Networking luncheon and decided not to wear my new black suit because of all the hair and hay particles it would collect in the house and in the car-which-is-really-the-barn-buggy.

The people I know, both in reality and virtually, love their pets dearly and their pets are their companions, valued family members.  These people do everything they can to ensure their beloved pet has everything s/he needs for a comfortable life.

Recently Teddy, Emmie and I were at the dog park and Teddy met a new dog pal.  His “mom” and I began walking and talking together, and I mentioned I communicate with animals.  She began telling me about a former family dog they had which they eventually ended up returning to the shelter.  Even though this happened a while back, you could tell she was still troubled by the situation.  The dog, who was large and a mix of agreeable breeds, started staring the family down and snapping at them.  The family was quite naturally concerned about this, so they immediately called the shelter and spoke to a trainer for advice.  The advice was to roll the dog over on her back into a submissive position and hover over her so she would know the human was the “top dog.”  This did not work so the dog was returned to the shelter, where she was most probably euthanized.

Many thoughts tumbled through my mind as I listened to the story.  What if the dog was not feeling well and was telling them the best way she knew how?  What if she was in pain?  Was she mirroring back a family situation that needed attention?  Was this dog and family were simply not compatible?

Animals are animals, dogs are dogs.  As someone once told me, a dog always knows where their teeth are and knows how to use them.  We need to keep ourselves safe and there are certainly times when, for whatever reason, the animal and the people are not a match, or there are extenuating circumstances and different arrangements, which are in the best interest of all, need to be made.

But do we need to come to this decision simply through power over?  What would happen if we treat the animal with respect and as an equal, since it is another sentient being?

I don’t have “the answer” to this.  To me it’s far too complicated for me, or you, or one organization to have “the answer.”  I do believe, however, that each individual who “keeps” pets is called to look deeply into themselves to discover whether the relationship is one of “power over” or “power with.”  I think it is also important to discern why the relationship is like it is.  Is it something you and the animal have forged together or is it one that has been recommended to you by an outside source?  If it’s one recommended by an outside source, do you feel comfortable with the results or do you follow the suggestion out of guilt, or perhaps because you were told to do that, or perhaps because lots of money was spent for a solution?

Relationship, whether with the same species or interspecies, calls for close scrutiny of ourselves and our motives.  As we get to know ourselves better, we are then able to forge deeper relationships with all.

I realized this post has raised more questions than it has addressed.  Please leave your thoughts, comments or questions on this topic.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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