September 28, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion today about animals. Melissa and Alex had a small agenda for the class (only 4 questions to ponder during the 90-minute period). However, it was hard to get past the first question! Nearly the whole class time was spent discussing animal stories. I found this so intriguing because it showed the incredible impact that animals can have on our lives and how just talking about animals can bring so much joy. The discussion was so lively and filled with laughter. It is hard to think of many other discussion topics that can be talked about with so much ease.
If you think about it, the idea of owning a pet is such an odd practice. For dogs, tens of thousands of years ago humans domesticated Grey Wolves, taking them from their natural habitat. With time, our society now has nearly 350 different breeds of dogs. We voluntarily bring these animals into our homes, potty train them, feed them, walk them, and play with them. But why do we do it? We do it because we know how much happiness they bring us! Owning a pet is a combination of altruism and self-interest. We care for the animal because we know it is fulfilling for both the animal and ourselves.
Regardless of your present emotions (i.e. stress, sadness, embarrassment), dogs (and other pets) are there to love you. Unlike humans who often enjoy times of solitude, a dog's happiest times are those spent with you. Dogs create a positive impact in every situation they are a part of and that is why there is no doubt that dogs are crucial components of many families.
I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion today about animals. Melissa and Alex had a small agenda for the class (only 4 questions to ponder during the 90-minute period). However, it was hard to get past the first question! Nearly the whole class time was spent discussing animal stories. I found this so intriguing because it showed the incredible impact that animals can have on our lives and how just talking about animals can bring so much joy. The discussion was so lively and filled with laughter. It is hard to think of many other discussion topics that can be talked about with so much ease.
If you think about it, the idea of owning a pet is such an odd practice. For dogs, tens of thousands of years ago humans domesticated Grey Wolves, taking them from their natural habitat. With time, our society now has nearly 350 different breeds of dogs. We voluntarily bring these animals into our homes, potty train them, feed them, walk them, and play with them. But why do we do it? We do it because we know how much happiness they bring us! Owning a pet is a combination of altruism and self-interest. We care for the animal because we know it is fulfilling for both the animal and ourselves.
Regardless of your present emotions (i.e. stress, sadness, embarrassment), dogs (and other pets) are there to love you. Unlike humans who often enjoy times of solitude, a dog's happiest times are those spent with you. Dogs create a positive impact in every situation they are a part of and that is why there is no doubt that dogs are crucial components of many families.