Paritosh Gaiwak
Paritosh Gaiwak
Most of the people in my peer group love animals, and given the chance, would love to adopt a pet. After all, who would not want a furry friend to welcome them after a long and stressful day of working on projects, sticking to deadlines and running errands? Your canine or feline friend would help you de-stress and rejuvenate and also shower you with a lot of hugs and kisses, which, if you are a human, will surely make you happy.
Evidence supports the idea that having a pet lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and improves mood. It also helps people socialize. However, desiring something and having it are very different. Pets are not simply for entertainment. They will need time, and their need for your attention will not necessarily overlap with the availability of your time and your desires.
Except for longer breaks, it is unlikely that students will have much time to spare, even during the weekends. And remember, the time would not be spent merely giving belly rubs to your pet, it would also involve walking them, feeding them and regularly visiting the vet. As far as time is concerned, one should be very careful before going forward with adopting a pet.
Another important consideration should be finances. Most students do not live with their families, and many do not rely on their family’s financial support to manage their daily chores. Having a pet would certainly put an extra burden on students’ financial planning. Pets need regular check-ups, and if they get sick, that requires extra care in addition to spending more money.
Also potentially at issue is the temperament of the owner. Pets make mistakes, whether it be the classic eating your homework or just scratching up the furniture. Depending on the person, these actions may lead to increased stress and frustration, which is healthy for neither the human nor the pet.
Add to that the numerous other stressors faced by students and you get a clearer idea of the complications. This can have a direct effect on the pet, as your efforts to look after them are affected by how distracted you are by other concerns, and there is a limit to how much a pet can alleviate these emotions.
The above factors are not entirely independent either. For example, if one does not have time for their academic pursuits or is wanting on the financial front, they could become more irritable, which is bad both for them and for their pet. On the other hand, if they are irritable, stress with classes or jobs can hit harder, leaving less time and mental space for the pet.
I feel that having a pet is one of the best things in the world. It makes us more responsible, and it teaches us the wonderful traits that animals possess, which we can learn from. I feel fully alive and rejuvenated in the company of animals. However, a pet is not merely a prop for entertainment, but a living creature who deserves to be a part of a family.
If a student has the requisite resources, in terms of time and money, and the maturity to handle themselves, they should adopt a pet. If one or more of these is lacking, one should tread carefully, as both the pet and owner’s happiness are at stake, and having to give up a pet one has grown to love is a big price to pay for adopting without proper consideration.