This is one of my favorite photos of my son when he was young, with our Dalmatian, Schuyler. My son was curiously exploring his world, and in a measuring phase. Even Schuyler couldn’t escape my son’s computations. The gentle dog never minded though. He put up with it just as he put up with our daughter’s dressing him in hats and sunglasses—because he loved them.
The relationship between a child and a pet is special. Children who grow up with pets tend to be more nurturing and compassionate than those who don’t. Pets help children learn responsibility. Pets may even help a child be healthier–there is evidence that having a pet in the home during a child’s first year of life may help reduce the child’s risk of developing allergies.
READ MORE: PRACTICING PATIENCE
The family dog or cat is many a kid’s first friend. They learn that pets accept them just the way they are. Sadly, children may also experience their first loss with a pet. But this can also help prepare them for other losses in life.
Recently, there was a photograph going around Facebook that caused a great stir–a young boy was sweetly kissing the family Rottweiler on the cheek, while the dog’s lips were curled and teeth bared. The boy’s parents felt that the dog was displaying a “cute smile” while many commenters believed that the dog was stressed and showing warning signs of an impending bite.
Whether this was a bite waiting to happen or not, I leave that to the parents. It’s always important to note, however, that even the gentlest dog or cat may react when a little one gets too close to their face, pulls their tail, roughhouses or even squeals suddenly. So it’s wise to always supervise a pet and young child together.
Make an effort to nurture the loving connection between children, grandchildren, neighbor kids and your pets. Teach them to be respectful of all animals, and the bonds will be forever strong.
