I want people to know this when they bring home a pet this Christmas, or at any time. Animals are not humans.
So many people expect their pets to behave as a human would. Now sometimes they do. Mostly, they do not. I ask you to allow your pet to be who they are and enjoy their perspective on life. Maybe even learn a thing or two from it.
Many animals are simply not meant to be domesticated. Exotic pets are not pets, they are animals far removed from home, and this makes my heart very very sad. How much better to leave them in the wild and enjoy them from a distance. It is mans nature to want to own things and collect things and when this extends to wild animals I am uncomfortable with it. Some animals have a truce with us, such as cats and dogs and the like. But others do not belong in our human world.
If I had my way everyone would have to take a course on how to properly treat animals before they could have one.
All animals respond to love, and this is a trait shared with humans. If you can only remember one thing, remember this.
If you treat your pet with love, you never tease or punish it, it will trust you and soon learn what is acceptable and not in your world. Your job is to be a responsible person; to protect and provide for them. In return you will have a companion like no other.
You have to adapt to their modus operandi to successfully blend your two worlds together so both of you are safe and loved. Pets are meant to be companions, not slaves and forced to exhibit abnormal behaviours, to do tricks for you or wear costumes. They need to be appreciated for who they are, and be certain, they will not change for you.
An animal can live well and be well adjusted if you understand and accommodate its needs. You will be surprised at how well an animal can adapt to your environment when it is treated with respect and love.
Ditto, by the way, for humans.