Taylor FlahertyNothing about this time is easy, from unemployment to sickness to homeschooling, but I believe trying to find positivity right now is the key. One thing that my family, friends, and I have found to be uplifting during our quarantine is spending time with our pets.
It is easy to overlook the well-being of our furry friends during a time of stress. Some of us are spending more time with our pets, and some of us less. It’s challenging to care for yourself, let alone your pet right now. So, the question remains, how do we help our pets during this time and how can they help us?
Being gone the majority of the year, I spend little time with my family and even less with my dog. Bradley is a loving, sensitive, and supportive pet who is sadly neglected a lot of the time due to our family’s busy schedule. Don’t get me wrong, we love him very much, but often we feel like we don’t give him the attention he deserves. However, since being home, not only have I found happiness in spending time with him, but I have also noticed him being more excited and playful with us. Pictured below is Bradley, my dog, along with some of my family and friends pets who come to my mind during this time, as companions and creatures of happiness. Looking at pictures of these smiling faces, even from afar, I can’t help but be overcome by love and gratitude.
Accompaniment is so important right now. In our class, we have discussed the importance of having someone to accompany you through life and its challenges. I believe our pets can fall into this category, as our friends and peacemakers. Coming together, rather than falling apart is a goal we should all try to attain. Being under the same roof as your family, your friends, significant others, and those you choose to quarantine with can be rewarding, but also a struggle. I have found it easy for fights or little quarrels to break out among my family and friends, and I know this is the case elsewhere too. I really believe my dog plays a big role in keeping us happy and pulling us together as a family during this time, especially when we argue or disagree. Oftentimes when we fight, Bradley comes right to the center of us and causes a commotion or makes a whining noise, signaling us to stop. He is trying to show us that fighting isn’t the way to go.
Every day, we take Bradley on family walks around the neighborhood. These daily walks are often our only opportunity to leave the house so this time has become a source of bonding, physical exercise, and self-care. In the evening, he joins us under the dinner table and cracks a smile when we give him love. It has been easy to get discouraged as I struggle to find a sense of normalcy during this global pandemic, but every time I look at Bradley’s face I can’t help but feel joy.
Supporting our pets, giving them love, and making them feel appreciated is just a little something that can help keep us sane right now. Even if walks aren’t possible, a little attention and support can go a long way in showing our pets we are with them, and for them to show us they are right there with us.
I recognize that not everyone has a pet or can be with their pets during this time. Technology can be a great alternative. Facetiming a pet for a few minutes to start your morning, looking at old pictures of pets, and scrolling through animal Instagram accounts can make you smile a little extra, even on the tough days.
Accompaniment is a two-way street, we need our pets and they need us, so let us be in each other’s company during this time of social-distancing and quarantine.
If you have some extra time on your hands consider adopting a pet during this time, they are lonely too! Enjoy some pictures of my family and friends’ pets and for more entertainment check out @dogsofinstagram and @cats_of_instagram!!!
Taylor, this is such a unique and refreshing post! My dog has been on my mind a lot during this time because even though I cannot pet her at the moment, her presence alone has brought me great joy. Facetiming my parents and having them show me what she’s up to, or even talking to her from my bedroom window when she is on the front lawn have truthfully made me laugh so much. When thinking of who in your household can be an accompanier, our pets are definitely not our first thought, so reaffirming the joy and comfort they bring to a house is super helpful right now! Thank you for sharing!
There is something so healing about having a pet around during this time. I read somewhere that the real winners of coronavirus are all of the cats and dogs that can selfishly now hang with their owners all day!
I think there is something to be said about the fact that we can practice accompaniment with pets as well as humans. Thanks for introducing Bradley to us – what a cutie! I am so happy that he brings you joy :).
This post made me smile thank you so much for sharing. I have also had a similar experience as it is just my mother, my dog and I, at home, so we have spent a lot of quality time together. I have tried to spend more time playing with my dog in the yard and also attempting to go on daily walks, although my dog is small and getting to be a bit old. There is something so calming about getting fresh air and following your dog around the block. I understand it can be challenging at times living back at home as it can start to feel small, but I hope you have been able to find time to take for yourself. So glad we were able to meet Bradley !
I can totally relate to this post. I am living alone with an 8 month-old Cockapoo named zoey! She is a handful and we are still working on potty-training, but she is full a lot of love and is a great companion. And she forces me to get up and get outside, which I never regret!
I am glad you have Bradley with you and your family!
Thank you for sharing this piece, Bradley is adorable!! Growing up, myself and all my siblings were athletes therefore much of our time was spent with our parents bringing us to practices and tournaments. I can relate to your relationship with Bradley because we loved him so much but there were some days we weren’t able to give him the endless love he deserved. Unfortunately he passed a year ago but throughout quarantine I keep thinking how special it would have been to have him here with us due to all the extra time we now have at home. Give Bradley an extra hug for me today and continue to use him as your outlet of positivity!
I really felt this post. Because since being home, my dog has been everything to me. My parents always used to send us pictures of them on walks or cuddled up in bed with him while we were away at college and I felt so sad. But being with him now makes my days a whole lot brighter. Just cuddling with him and snuggling up under the warm covers brings so much joy to the house. He distracts us from the outside world in a sense and he allows us to live in the present and enjoy the simplicities around us.
My dog does the same thing when she senses tension between my family members! Dogs are such great readers of emotion and I find that my dog is always there with me when I’m upset or feeling lonely. Pets can definitely teach us a lesson on accompaniment, and I hope that they are all getting the love they deserve right now. Thank you so much for sharing this. I loved all the pictures!
Taylor! I cannot help but echo every point you presented in this post. Attending to our furry friends amid this pandemic is imperative. I cannot stress enough how much my furry babies and non-furry baby mean to me. I have two dogs, Sasha (a shih zhu mixed with a chihuahua) and Luna (a standard poodle), and a turtle, Dory. Before being home I missed them dearly and was always concerned about whether or not they were receiving enough love and affection as my parents and siblings were rarely home throughout the due to their busy schedules. However, now that I am at home, I do not have to worry about that as I am always displaying my love and affection for them. Similar to Bradley, Sasha and Luna are bundles of joy. Sasha has been in the family for over 12 years now and I can always count on her to provide comfort for me whenever my mental health is plummeting just as I can provide comfort for her when she’s exhausted and wants a belly rub before she takes a nap or goes to bed. Luna has is full of energy and it’s great to spend time outside with her in the backyard. Dory is always in her fish tank, but I sometimes like to take her out and let her roam around in the kitchen or living room as a little escape from being in the tank for hours on end! Perhaps our pets could meet via FaceTime or Zoom!
As Hallie said, it is important to understand the importance of accompaniment with not only humans but non-human animals as well. Thank you for bringing that into dialogue.
Continue to stay safe and well and give Bradley a good o’ belly rub for me!
Taylor this was such a refreshing post to read! For me, my dog is a huge source of love as I have always said that dogs give the most unconditional love. She has also been one of the only members of my family to be able to physically accompany me while I was isolated from the rest of my family. This physical connection, petting her, laying with her, was so important for maintaining my mental health. I think accompaniment by a pet can be so important for so many people and I really appreciate you calling attention to it! Plus your pictures made me smile they are just adorable! One interesting article I read recently actually said there has been a significant increase in foster pets and adopted pets with the pandemic, it appears as though people are wanting that furry accompaniment! One piece of good news!