i was born on a farm so I never remember purchasing my first animal,
I do however remember having many.
It was only later as a teenager that I started in the show world with dogs, then moved onto Cats becoming a judge. It was in these places at times in my life that I started to question the motivation for people to own animals, which in turn is a question I asked myself way too late in life.
Societies split, countless dog registers, three cat societies and two Guinea Pig societies in South Africa. Not that I am suggesting that this is a bad thing or a good one for that matter.
But it is through relationships with people that we grow and develop. The animals bring us together. At some point there was an emotion that drove the connection between the animal and person, and we all share in that same emotion, bringing together like minded and interested people.
Every person carries pain. guaranteed, and without condition, or too many conditions? Numerous times I have heard "I am not here for the people... but the animals".
This astounding comment leaves me breathless and wondering if the person saying it, has any idea of what they are saying?
One question. How would there be animals without people?
If we are truly committed to the animal (well being and survival) we have to extend ourselves far and beyond our comfort zones, this includes allowing people around us to grow and discovery there own ideas with owning the same animal that I have chosen, without judgement or transferal of self opinion, but rather choosing the gentle option of coaching and transferring my experiences with love (YES Love!)
What are we without love? What are we without our animals? So what I am proposing here?
How can we claim to love animals if we have no self love or love to give others?
If your answer is still I don't need people I have my animals...
This is an impossible and dangerous notion that we would choose, leaving destruction and harm to the very animal we set out to love.
So the question remains... Did you really love the animal from the start or was the purchase for another reason, a reason to perhaps fill a painful gap instead of seeking a good life coach... The choice of an innocent animal and the local society that promoted its well being will all got to destruct in the wake of the simple avoidance of dealing with your own shit!