Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” We are told that from the beginning of creation, God intended for us to rule over and care for the animals He created. The creatures we’ve learned to love ever since we were young are not just family, they are a part of God’s creation. There are many things you learn from caring for animals, such as responsibility and friendship. They require you to take care of them in feeding, watering, and playing with them on a daily basis. Pets bring warmth and joy to their owners, and can also comfort during the trying times we all come across.
Responsibilities in having a pet
As the owner of an animal, your job is to make sure your pet has the security, comfort, and love it needs. Like people, animals need to be supplied with food and water daily. Though you may not always have time to pay extra attention to them, you can still be a good owner and feed and water them. When training animals to do what you want them to do, you need to be very patient with them. They will most likely not use the bathroom where you want them to, and they may chew on your favorite pair of shoes (so don’t leave important items where an animal can get to them!), but be patient, because with hard work and dedication, your pet will eventually learn how to act.
If you’re trying to decide on a type of pet to fit your lifestyle, do some research (before committing!) about the kind of animal you’re thinking about owning, and be sure to receive your parents’ permission if you’re still living at home.
Ups and downs of having a pet
Pets can be very delightful to have, but they still have their downfalls, such as having to clean up after them every time they make a mess, or having to take them outside 3 or 4 times a day. But there are often many more upsides than downsides to having a pet. When you first get a pet you may think you can handle the responsibility, but after having them awhile, you may get used to them being there and forget to feed them, take them out, or play with them. They will soon realize they are not getting the attention they want and they’ll start acting out––chewing stuff up again or using the house instead of the yard as a bathroom.
Companionship
Your pet can be your best friend. They often know when you’re sad, sick, or happy, and they’ll react to however you feel. I, myself, have a dog that will be two on June 11th; to me, she is a great friend. When she was only three months old she became sick with parvo, and I fought long and hard to nurse her back to health; it took me three weeks of non-stop care. Several weeks later, when I had the flu, she comforted me, slept beside me, cuddled with me, and, of course, licked me every chance she got. It meant so much to me that she was right there beside me. It’s times like those when you realize how much your pets really mean to you.
Ways you can help
Many people think that they need to own an animal to help an animal. However, there are a variety of ways you can help, from volunteering at an animal shelter to picking up an animal on the side of the road and taking it to a shelter. Don’t know where to go or what to do to volunteer to help? Visit the Humane Society or Charity Guide for more information.
God put animals on this earth as a special part of His creation; however, people often abuse and neglect them. Be a friend to animals by caring for your own or volunteering to care for ones who have been forgotten.
Michelle Jane
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