Whether it’s the gentle purr of a cat, the excited wag of a dog’s tail, or the melodious chirping of birds, the presence of animals has a remarkable ability to uplift human spirits and bring about profound joy. Stuck in the rat race, some people find true happiness in the company of animals. They teach us a thing or two about unconditional love and compassion.
In Good Company
Mitali Parekh, a canine and feline behaviourist rejoices every single moment with her pets. “I enjoy spending every day with my dog (Eli). We play together in the morning and we hike and trek with other dogs. The daily nonsense from my cats, Feroz and Sister, are our shared moments of happiness as well. Knowing we have such a short time with them, no matter how bad the day is, every day that every animal I love is alive makes these the best days of my life,” says Mitali, who is also the founder of GoodDog! Services.
The joy from animals transcends home boundaries to the outdoors. Whether it’s a dog bounding through a field, a cat chasing a feather, or a free-spirited horse, their playful antics evoke a carefree and spontaneous side in humans. Unlike complex human relationships, the bond with animals is refreshingly simple, built on mutual trust and a shared language of emotion.
Food for Thought
Animal feeders embody a special breed of compassion and devotion, finding joy in nourishing and caring for creatures, great and small. Jeannifer Nair (23), an actor and pet parent to Whiskey (a husky dog), favours animals over humans! “The dogs I feed live in the basement of a mall near my house and are scared. I saw the gradual shift in them with me when I started to feed them five months ago. They are calm and friendly with me. They feel safe with me.” She feeds the strays at around 12 in the night. “They play with me and I don’t have my dinner until they are fed properly,” Nair says.
Chirpy Friends
Radhika Sonawane, a bird enthusiast and founder of Bird Duniya transformed her balcony into an urban bird sanctuary during the lockdown. With six years of urban birding, the chirping alarms have become regular visitors to her home.
“My balcony is like a bird VIP lounge. It hosts 50-60 different types of birds. The most magical moments are when they eat from my hand or land on my head. It’s like being a real-life Disney character or a bird whisperer! Last year, during my birthday week, a red-whiskered bulbul hopped onto my hand after spotting a banana, their favourite treat. I was over the moon. These birds are usually shy but she started trusting me.” What started as a hobby has blossomed into a passion. Every day, just watching the birds go about their business brings a constant smile to Radhika’s face. Whether it’s their playful bath rituals, feather antics or nest-building skills – each moment is a joy.
Therapeutic Power
The presence of animals has a therapeutic effect on our well-being. Numerous studies have highlighted the positive impact of interacting with animals on mental and emotional health. Animal therapy involves using domestic animals such as dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep, rabbits, and fish to engage with individuals. Minal Kavishwar, a certified animal therapist and founder of Animal Angels Therapy Centre says, “Animals’ mere presence can generate calmness. I incorporate that with counselling and other therapeutic techniques. The benefits double up. I have seen people who are closed and shut emotionally, open up during animal therapy. Animals can bring genuine smiles and happy emotions out of us without any expectation.”
Soft Bunny Magic
Angelina Gupta (35), a Bangalore-based baby sleep consultant and founder of Babysleep considers her pet bunny (Sabavi) a family member. Initially, Angelina faced challenges of winning his trust, but gradually she earned his trust. She does not cage him. “Sabavi loves to hop around the house, sleep with his blanket, play with toys, and cuddle up next to me on the couch. It’s amazing to see how much he’s added to our life.” The bunny is also her travel mate. “Wherever we travel by car, he always accompanies us. We let him explore and experience walking on a leash. Every memory with Sabavi is great and unique,” she says.
Whether it’s a dog basking under the sun, a bird singing early in the morning, or a fish gracefully swimming in an aquarium, in the company of animals individuals often learn to slow down, savour the present, and find joy in the little things in life.
“The mere presence of animals can generate calmness. I have seen people who are closed and shut emotionally open up during animal therapy ” — Minal Kavishwar, animal therapist
