The Step-pets

I have never really been fond of pets even though we had a pomeranian bitch for a long time . And yes mom named her Zoya, her favourite character in a tv serial that came on Doordarshan (yes, i am ancient).

So, you will never find me crooning over your fav pet Cadbury or Pebbles or whatever you have named them and i wont be kicking them either. But atleast that am clear on my limited love for pets and zero hatered for them. But enough, the article is not about me, its about Step-pets.

Step-pets is a word that came to my mind and i immediately thought to write about them someday. They are that unfortunate class of pets whose masters have them in the house for a upper class social status purpose. These pets are just kept in the house to show-off to neighbours ,friends or visiting relatives to raise once social status in the society.

The owners hardly ever pet them or let them sleep on the couch or in bed with them. They dont bother bathing them or taking them for their pooh-pee walks (only when the park is littered with other high-society pets). The pets are not cared for like babies that most pet lovers do. They are often chained and petted once in a thousand years. They are fed by servants or their personal caretakers. Pets regular Vet visits are also undertaken by the driver or the servant.

I wonder why such people keep pets? am not an animal rights activist but is'nt this violation of their rights as well. Why would people keep dogs,cats,parrots, rabbits, turtles etc etc etc when they do not love and care for them. It such a heartbreaking thing (even for a non-petlover like me) to see these living creatures chained and not even looked at all day. It pulls me to go pat them when they look at a newcomer with longing in their eyes and wagging their tails or making noises to be noticed and loved.

I think the government should have all owners register their pets and go to government appointed Vets for regular checkups and get a health certi from them. Government departments should tie-up with animal right organisations and make sure these pets are protected and treated well.

I dont know if i would ever get a pet , but if i do, i would be love them and care for them. Period.