JovialJman - Pets (And their Influence Over Us)

OddballGreg choose this picture, maybe he is a Crazy Cat Person

There are many animals around the world, some are used for food, some for aesthetics, but there are a select few that are domesticated and have become companions to many. Pets have various effects on people so, let's talk about it.

I have a few pets myself, (well actually it is the families pets). There is Bobby our Jack Russell mixed something, (maybe a dalmation as he is really big for a Jack Russell), Peanut the African Grey, and a small pond filled with goldfish. Bobby can get really excited at the mere mention of a walk, Peanut is at the stage of talking and is now barking like a dog, calling my sister to annoy her, (really funny to see), and is one crazy bird in general. The gold fish, well they are just kind of there for looks, and they always look thirsty as the are gulping the water, but then again, all fish look like that.

Pets are not a new thing if you look at a lifetime, but if you look at the human race they are not old either. There were people that were domesticated wolves as far back as just after the last ice age. This was a time where Mammoths were still wandering around. It is strange to think that all the breeds of dogs today are descendants of wolves. A bit latter cats were domesticated and were seen as sacred animals by the Egyptians and were mummified by the millions. Domesticated cats are the most similar to their wild counterparts as they are still able to fend for themselves if human interaction was withdrawn, which does make looking after them a bit easier.

The average owner of cat are smarter than the average owner of dogs. This fun fact got me thinking, do pets change things in our lives, or are they just there, the fact however can be explained. Those who have studied further often have jobs that take a lot of time and would still like a pet, so cats are a good option as they can take care of themselves and need little attention to survive, but love sitting on your keyboards when you need to work. Many studies have been done in this subject and the results are somewhat surprising.

Pets help us with our mood, they keep us company when we are alone and may have the same attachment to you, as you have to them. They are mostly loving creatures that adore attention and give a moral boost to most as they always seem happy. Children who grow up with a pet have shown better friend making at a early age as they start with playing with the pet. They are also thought to care for them and help them grow, this is seen as a chore but can be a very good learning experience for the young as they will learn routine early on.

There are also health benefits when having pets. There are dogs that help the blind move around and some that help deaf people to be more aware of their surroundings, there are also some that can alert diabetics when their blood sugar is getting low before something serious happens. Pet owners are also less likely to suffer from depression and have lower blood pressure in stressful situation than those without pets. This maybe due to the fact that we nurture them and that releases a lot of our anxiety. When exercising pets, like taking a dog for a walk, you get exercise as well and this may keep you fit but with cat owners it might be a bit harder to say the same thing as I have not seen someone walk their cat.

Pets are also a gateway to a new world with people that are pet lovers as well. This may be from dog shows, to horse riding, and owner, pet look alike contests. Many of these type of activities can bring new people into your life and broaden your social life. There have also been studies that show that having a pet around when babies are growing up also help strengthen their immune systems and help with allergy resistance. How they help are still being found out, but maybe due to the simple exposure of the animals, the babies become immune to any of the effects that may be brought with the animals to begin with.

Anyways, that draws today's post to an end. If pets could talk how many situations would you have never gotten into? If you have any comments or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below or on Facebook/Twitter. Do you know of anyone that is deciding on getting a pet, or anyone that has pets already, please share this with them as I am sure they would thank you for it. If you would like to see more post as they come out, or would like to show your support, please like us one Facebook or follow us on Twitter using the associated buttons on he bar to the left. Thank you for taking the time to read today's blog post, and I hope you have/had a really awesome day.

Happy pet petting buddies

Madness Monday - Crazy Cat People (And Crazy Cats)

Hello and welcome to Madness Monday; that day of the week where I talk about those strange people that keep cats and about these strange cats that keep people.

OOOOH. Fancy new pictures :D

Have you ever met those strange, fuzzy little creatures that for some reason decide that we humans are fun to be around? Have you met the strange people that think cats are fun to be around? (I'm one of them.) I've really got to ask. What on earth made us think that was a good idea?

Cats are very weird animals. Some of them are completely docile, some are friendly enough to sleep on your lap (or face), and some are utterly off the ball and demented that you can't help but wonder if it's not currently contemplating your ultimate demise. Humans are like that too.

Behind that facile guise of cuteness, this guy is imagining your death...

I can't help but wonder at the first human who saw one of these fluffy, feline fur-balls in the wild and decided "Hey, I like him, lets keep it in my house so that it can retch hair onto my carpets, eat all my food and purposefully place it's tail in my mouth while I'm snoring." He was probably a previous incarnation of me, but I still think he may have been on something. (Perhaps the cats brainwashed him? You never know.)

"Hooman. You shall luv us. Or else."

Perhaps more strange though, is the fact that so many of us don't seem to care. We invite these frightening little caterwauling creatures into our abodes, spend excessive money on beds they'll never sleep in, toys they'll never play with and food they don't particularly like eating; since you'll probably give them your's instead, and don't once think it's strange that the only time they want to cuddle is when they're hungry. Hmmm. Sounds like human children actually when I put it that way. (Teehee) On the upside, they make impeccable hot water bottles if you don't mind the licking.

"Skweeese me agen hooman, and I won't be teh only nootered one in this house."

To be honest though, despite the fact that these cats treat humans like walking furniture and can-openers, I do not actually regret ever wanting to keep them. Sure some people are scared to come by my house now due to some strange fear of black that they associate with my little fuzzy's; but I would be sorely hurt to ever find any of these frightful predators that I call my pets hurt or missing. Who else would lick my hands clean until they were clean, especially after I've washed them?

"Hey Hooman. Boo!"

To be honest, these cats may be strange, but I think that us humans that keep them are far stranger. You have to be fairly crazy to listen to a screaming cat at 3AM, climb out of bed in the middle of winter, and go investigate to make sure this little whiskered creature is okay, despite the fact that you may be dying of hypothermia. 

"I wsnt actually screaming, I jus wntd to see if choo would come. Feed me?"

Humans are perhaps the maddest creatures I've met, but I suppose that what makes us so much fun. Is predictability really that satisfying? Who knows, but at least we'll have these maddening little mammals around to prick us with their claws, lest we be dreaming. In any case, I hope you found something to laugh here on the hardest day of the week. If you're a fellow cat lover (or even if you're not), perhaps consider dropping a comment below, and sharing this with someone who needs a laugh. If you really liked it, "would you kindly" follow me on Twitter or like my Facebook page with the buttons on the sidebar to your right.

No matter what, I hope you have/had an AWESOME day, and I shall see you tomorrow.

Abschied freunden.