By Marc Anyone can simply walk into a pet shop and make an impulsive purchase for a dog. Those cute furry canines with deep-soulful expressions never cease to tempt potential customers into becoming future dog owners. Responsible dog ownership is, however, a lifetime commitment. There are the costs to think about—the medical bills from vet visits, grooming, dog food, etc. But no, this isn’t a lecture on how to become a perfect dog owner, nor is it a reminder on the immoralities of dog abuse. Instead, it is about the highs and lows with my two pet dogs and my reflections as an owner after a decade of pet care experience. Latte, my Labrador retriever, is getting on in years. He is turning nine this year, and moves around the house at a slower pace. Just imagine the massive amounts of food these greedy Labradors chomp down every day! However, feeding is only the tip of the iceberg. As Labradors are hunting dogs, they love to roam around in open spaces and dig in the garden. Weekly baths are a tedious task as the mud and soil clings onto the dog’s coat. A thorough wash, dry and the occasional ear cleaning takes the entire afternoon. There are also the worrying periods of time when he gets sick. Although Latte is a relatively healthy dog, the rare occasion of infection causes fatigue and the tendency to lie down and not get up. This is a big headache for us owners as how in the world are we supposed to transport a 50kg animal to the vet in the middle of the night? The fact remains that the bigger your dog is, the larger the responsibility. Labradors are, however, a whole lot of fun. We can take them for runs and even a swim in the sea. Feeling tired after a day of school? Use these loyal canines as a pillow! Their large warm bodies are big enough to snuggle against on a cold rainy day. Moreover, contrary to the notion that large dogs are aggressive, Latte’s temperament is so mild that he does not mind young children climbing on him and pretending that it is a horse. Let’s not forget the second “L” in my family. Leo, our Jack Russell Terrier, was abandoned by an overseas student when he returned to his home country. He came to us skinny and frail, but has not looked back since and has become part of the family. One of the most heart-wrenching moments any pet owner could witness is when your dog is diagnosed with a major illness. Leo had playfully ran away one day and was missing the entire afternoon. A domestic helper from another house found him wondering around and brought him back to us. To our dismay, Leo was looking disoriented. He was unable to recognize the people around him and the surrounding environment. Not long after, he collapsed and struggled for air. Foam was seething from his mouth and his muscles were convulsing. We were in a total state of shock and simply stood rooted to the ground. My mother was the first to react and started to rub his body, hoping that Leo would recover. He eventually did, but was since permanently diagnosed with epilepsy. My point is that owners experience highs and lows with their pets, just as they do with humans around them. Thus, we should learn to treasure the heights of happiness and embrace the depths of despair, including the inevitability of death. There is a widely held belief that a dog’s lifespan is one-seventh of a human’s. Henceforth, dogs grow older at a much faster pace and the likelihood of sickness increases. From incontinence to cancer, owners have to be prepared to face reality and maximize their effort towards giving them the best healthcare possible. Many owners staunchly deny that the novelty of pet care wears off after a couple of years. On the other hand, this is the case when the dogs have assimilated into life within the household. No longer do owners spend their precious time playing with their dogs before they head out the door for work. Neither do they upon their return as fatigue overcomes them. What happens is that the dog merely becomes a face within the household, like an acquaintance whom you warmly exchange greetings with in school, but whom you really could not care less about. Our poor dogs are not mistreated, nor severely neglected. But the connection and bond between us has been broken. At times, I am guilty of that, too. Dear readers, at the end of the semester I am making my annual five-hour plane journey back home. The moment I step through my front gate, familiar barking sounds will be heard coming from within the house. That is when I will re-establish my connection with man’s best friend, and so should you. a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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