Why We Choose Them: Stories from Our Community

Recently, a lively discussion sparked in our pet-lover community group. The question posed was: ‘Why did you choose your current pet?’ The responses from our members were truly enthusiastic.

https://groups.google.com/g/catcarelife/c/_xxOKEHe7pY

Why We Choose Them: Stories from Our Community - alex-xie - 博客园 

If you had to sum up the experience of pet ownership in a single sentence, it would probably be: ‘It’s a mix of joy and heartache.’ While the companionship of a pet undoubtedly brings immense happiness, from the very moment we decide to welcome them into our lives, we understand that our journey together will inevitably include challenges like mischievous behavior, illnesses, and the ultimate sorrow of saying goodbye. Yet, despite these potential heartbreaks, we commit ourselves wholeheartedly, without hesitation.

Data shows that by 2018, the number of pet owners in China reached 73.55 million, including those with aquatic pets. Among these, dog and cat owners made up the largest percentages. These consistently high pet ownership figures clearly indicate that more and more families are choosing to make pets a central part of their household. So, let’s dive in and explore the reasons why we choose to meet these special companions and dedicate our lives to them.

Why We Choose Them: Stories from Our Community

1. @Yoki

“Maybe it was the way they looked at me when they first arrived, with those bright, sparkling eyes. Their tiny tail would wag gently, then pause, as if waiting for my reaction, before wagging again. They had just left their mom, whimpering and looking so sad, but as soon as I held them, they quieted down. I truly believe there’s a special connection, a kind of destiny, between a dog and its owner.”

2. @luna

“Thanks for the invite! I’ve loved small animals since I was a kid, but my family wouldn’t let me have cats or dogs when I was growing up. Then, in college, I accidentally found my first cat, brought her home, and that’s how my journey as a ‘cat slave’ began. Later, when I went abroad, I really missed having a pet around, but my living situation didn’t allow for it, so I could only keep hamsters. After that, I often fostered cats for others. Once I started my Ph.D., things became more stable, and I had some income, so I adopted a cat. It’s truly wonderful to have a cat companion. She keeps me company while I study, and when I come home from classes or work, having her rub against me, asking for pets, instantly recharges my ’empty health bar.’ So, here’s a picture of my furry overlord!”

3. @o梨鸢兮子o

“First off, I just really love animals, especially dogs. And then, for a while, Shiba Inus were super popular online—you know, all those memes and videos? I used to watch them all the time. So, one day, my mom casually asked if I wanted a dog. I thought she was kidding (my parents work, and I’m at school, so there’s hardly any time for a dog), so I just blurted out, ‘I want a Shiba Inu!’ Next thing I know, she actually brought one home! Ugh, I can’t even explain how cute Shiba Inus are. Our whole family treats him like our own son, seriously!”

4. Anonymous User

“To find a reason not to die yet. It works, because they love me and need me.”

5. @BaiXiaoXiaoXiaoSheng

“My girlfriend said she wanted one (now she’s my wife).”

6. Anonymous User

“To fight against depression, I guess.”

7. @ShiQianQianAh

“I was too lonely.

From a little stray dog, to a mixed breed, to a Bichon Poodle—step by step, I fell deeper into the pet-owning rabbit hole. I started buying more and more things for my dogs.”

8. @ShenWu

“Because of love… Haha, just kidding. My dog was a stray I found on the street. They looked so pitiful and lovable, and it was about to rain, so I brought them home. I’ve always loved Golden Retrievers since I was a kid, but I never had the means to raise one myself. Now, with a Golden Retriever practically delivered to my doorstep, I couldn’t bear to let them wander the streets anymore.”

“When I first found them as a puppy.”

9. @HanXueTang

“It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, nothing more. The money I spend on my dog could easily buy me a car.”

10. @LittlePrincessBigNephew

“It probably started because my family had a tabby cat when I was little, but it eventually got lost. Since then, I’ve always had this lingering desire for a cat. After graduating college and renting my own place, I finally felt like I had my own little sanctuary. My mom wasn’t a fan of cats, so I thought, now’s my chance to get one. Later, my boyfriend at the time bought a house in the city we were living in, and it had a huge indoor balcony. That’s when my heart really started longing for a cat. For my birthday, my boyfriend offered to get me one, but I was so broke back then and worried I couldn’t take good care of it, so I backed out at the last minute. I had pretty much given up on the idea of getting a cat. But then, about a month after my birthday, we heard a tiny kitten crying in my boyfriend’s neighborhood, looking for its mom. It was already autumn in Northeast China, and I was so scared this little thing would freeze to death outside. My boyfriend and I exchanged a look, and just like that, we decided to bring it home.

“Here’s the first picture of them after they came to me—so cute and a little goofy! I absolutely adored them. I even posted on social media, saying, ‘If I have a pot of Guo Bao Rou (sweet and sour pork), you’ll have a bowl of rice!’ Haha.”