Pets

Dear Readers

Do you rear pets at home?

What are your choices when it comes to rearing pets? Which are the most popular pets reared in Malaysia? Apparently we do not have such statistics, or even if we have, they are definitely not updated nor are they accurate because many pets are not registered with the Authority and many pets "do not need" to be regsitered.

The more common pets reared in Malaysia are dogs, cats, birds, fish, rabbits, hamsters and turtles.
How about rare species like snakes, chameleons? And I believe every kid or even adult wishes to rear panda, koala, "Garfield", tigers (tamed ones perhaps)....and many more if we are allowed to.

My imaginery pet will be a "buffalo" though I do not know much about its habits. I may need to get a huge field for such impractical big-sized pet, not in the city for sure.

To me, rearing pets means having another family member at home. However, this member is so unique because it never grows to be independent. We are responsible for the bringing up of our pet, from food to hygiene to medical care to pet activities. The responsibilities we carry vary depending on the types we adore. There is abundant knowledge we need to engross ourselves into before we start this hobby.

For fish, we need to monitor the pond or aquarium water temperature, pH, alkalinity and hardness, to understand which are the species compatible/incompatible, to provide the right types of food for coloring or for growth, to constantly maintain a good quality water environment for successful rearing and breeding, just to name a few. I know those who rear fishes in big ponds, they have own stand-by generators for emergency use during power failure.

For dogs and cats, we may need to get them regular vaccination, castration if necessary, heartguard as monthly protection, the right shampoo, perfume, food; we may also send them for training to be obedient and learned some tricks.

For turtle, we need to keep their shells clean by brushing their "green algae" regularly, and train ourselves to be very patient when it comes to strolling with our turtle!

For rabbits, anyone? How about hamsters? I have reared a wild rabbit before for about 2 months, given by a friend who found it wandering outside the jungle. I sent it back to the jungle because it just could not fit to our city life. It dug holes everyday at my small garden and would not allow my children to hug her. As for hamsters, WoW!! is the key word because they breed so fast and so many! I gave up too!

Some people have phobia when it comes to animals. I have a friend who jumps up when a cat approaches her. Yet I saw another screaming and yelling when she was approached by a "fake" snake! Cartoons portray women go hysterical to the sight of mice/rats.

The phobia of:
cat - Ailurophobia
dog - Cynophobia
snake - Ophidiophobia or Snakephobia
spider - Arachnophobia
wild animal - Agrizoophobia
insect - Insectophobia
cockroach - Katsaridaphobia
mice - Musophobia

Rearing pets is fun, yet educational. So, before you engage yourself in this hobby, think twice if you are ready for the possible responsibilites? how well do you know your animal? is there any member in your family or neighbourhood who have phobia for the pet you adore? do you have time for your pet? are you financially sound for its bringing up including its offspring? are you patient enough to handle the pet? and so on and so forth...

I wish everyone all the best to the path of rearing pets.