When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.
Owning a pet is a privilege, but the benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities.
Interviews with pet lovers revealed that pets are becoming more integrated into home life. Indeed they are increasingly seen as members of the family rather than ‘just a pet’. There is mounting evidence that pets are associated with physiological, psychological and social benefits for humans. Much of this research has come from western countries, where there have been consistent calls for greater engagement with pet ownership and health.
Sometimes it’s hard to perfectly sum up exactly how we feel about our pets. But I managed to talk to a few pet lovers and here’s what they had to say about their pets, life, love, loss, and inspiration.