As the founder of a pet-care company, I’ve seen up close the impact our pets have in shaping our lives. Both in my own life and the lives of countless pet parents I’ve met in my entrepreneurial journey. 

Every pet I’ve had, whether it be a cat, dog, fish, and once even a turtle (which I had for all of one day before he disappeared) has left me with life lessons which I rely on, to this day. 

The first and most important lesson I’ve learnt was that taking care of others brings out the best of human nature in us. 

Modern society, which is built on a foundation of zero-sum games and unchecked consumption, rarely gives us a chance to step outside the self-serving mindset. But what I’ve realized is that I’ve never been more fulfilled than when I’ve been taking care of my pets. And I’ve seen the same thing in many others as well.

On days that my mind is filled with thoughts of fear, doubt, and uncertainty (understandable in today’s world), just the simple act of taking my pet (an Indie dog named Jambi) for a walk helps me focus on the present moment and appreciate it deeply. 

Because that’s how most animals, including him, live. Rooted in the present. Of course, our capacity to think ahead and plan has taken us to the top of the evolutionary chain, but we’ve let that ability run uncontrollably and dictate every moment of our lives.

The routines that my family and I have built around taking care of Jambi give us a structure and discipline that carries over into all aspects of our lives. I was fairly obese before I adopted Jambi but over the years I’ve managed to transform my fitness to the extent of being able to run full marathons at will. 

Taking care of him, especially in the first few years was hard, I will not deny that. But if you’re willing to tackle that challenge, you learn to do hard things. And doing hard things repeatedly is how you build credibility with yourself, which is the foundation of self-respect and self-love.

Pets also satiate the deep human desire for companionship. Just with their mere presence in your home, they uplift your mood and alleviate any loneliness you might feel. 

Dogs especially have a sixth sense of our emotions and take it upon themselves to make us feel better. They also help us make new friends. Socializing your pets at an early age is very important, and you will invariably end up meeting other pet parents, whether it be at the local dog park, pet events, or even at the vet’s.

Pet parenting is challenging. And it’s not for everyone. If you wish to get a pet, you should first try to understand the needs of the pet and ascertain whether you are willing and able to provide it. But if you are, and you give it a real go, pet parenting (or any parenting for that matter) is a deeply fulfilling experience.