Pets help lift your dampened spirits
Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
"Are you hungry, honey?" a woman's voice said in the kitchen, with the tone one usually uses with a child. "Yes you are," she added affectionately without waiting for an answer.
There were sounds of running water, and then several thuds on the floor. "Irma called. She asked about you and I told her that my little hero was just fine, aren't you? Aren't you, honey?" she continued.
It was a typical conversation between Ira, a 35-year-old executive, and Nono, her 8-year-old dog.
"I enjoy talking to him. It's soothing, especially after a stressful day at the office."
Vanda, a housewife, shared another story. Her husband always spends time playing with their pet dog before or after he goes to work.
"Donny and I talk about everything. Talking helps relieve his burden whenever he feels unhappy, but playing with our pet dog can help him forget his sadness," the housewife said.
Many pet owners enjoy the time they spend together with their animals. Feeding their pets, taking care of them or just watching them sleep near their feet is as soothing as knowing that they have "company".
A veterinarian from the Jakarta Veterinary Hospital, Yeye Sri Danti, said that animals' cute faces and playful behavior improves a person's mood. And pets, like dogs and cats, always want to be around their owners, making them loyal companions for humans.
Dogs can be trained to cheer up hospital patients, guide blind people or to help with daily tasks, like fetching newspapers and sandals. While cats are happy to "massage" their owners by playfully hopping on their laps.
"Watching fish gracefully swim in an aquarium or listening to birds tweeting is a soothing experience," said Yeye.
Citing Taoist teachings, she explained that humans can release their negative energy when surrounded by nature or in the presence of animals, thus creating inner balance and harmony.
Pets can understand their owner's feelings, and they are also good "listeners" to whom stressed out owners can talk.
"On the other hand, since pets also have feelings, both can cheer each other up," the veterinarian added.
A psychologist at the Omni Medical Center in Pulomas, East Jakarta, Naomi Soetikno, said playing with a pet is a healthy diversion for those dealing with stress, similar to other positive activities like exercise, gardening, listening to music or other hobbies.
She said the best animals at helping to relieve stress were social animals like dogs, cats and rabbits. "Unlike birds and fishes, these animals also have feelings and can express them during interactions," Naomi said.
She also dismissed the idea that talking to pets was not normal, describing it as a helpful way to relieve stress.
"People can express their feelings when they talk and this includes talking to a pet. It's positive," she explained.
But since it is only a diversion, Naomi said a person eventually had to deal with whatever was causing them stress.
"Playing with a pet can help a person forget their problems for a while, but (these problems) will continue to exist unless people face up to them," she said.
Finding people to talk to is important, as people not only help relieve the burden by acting as good listeners, but they can also give advice on how to overcome hardships or how to find an alternative goal.
And to prevent stress, it is advisable that people set reasonable targets, learn to accept unexpected situations, introduce a healthy and balanced life, including exercise, which can improve blood circulation and encourage the brain to release feel-good endorphin hormones.
Yeye encourages pet lovers to do positive things with their pets, like going for walks in the park.
"This is a healthy activity for both humans and animals, and it's fun too," said the veterinarian.