I can honestly say that I don't remember everything from my childhood, but what I do remember are the pets that came in contact with me in my youth. Many families in my community could not afford pets, but those who did were happy to share them with all the neighbours. Pets were just like people to us children. When walking home from school every day, the pets would run out to welcome us back home, showing lots of love and excitement to hear all about our day. I still remember the twinkle in their eyes, the wagging of their tails, or the conversation of happy meows. Some were stray animals without real homes, but they seemed to know when we would be bringing bites of food from our school lunch, such great memories.
Over the years, I have observed and listened to how people treat their pets. Enjoying a morning or afternoon coffee or tea at neighbourhood cafes or sitting in a park reading provided great insight into the relationship that people have with pets and pets with people. One of the lessons I learned was there are two ways to get noticed in any neighbourhood. One is by taking a cute baby for a ride in their buggy, and the other was to walk a cute puppy or dog. Although I didn't own either, friends would be delighted for me to take their child out for a stroll or their dog. I felt like a celebrity. Being a public relations and marketing practitioner, I started to think of ways that a social marketing campaign could educate a community of people using animals.
Did your family have a pet when you were growing up? It's something that you never forget. My family didn't own a pet, but my Aunt owned a beautiful cocker spaniel with curly golden hair that matched my red hair. As a young boy, I loved Sally Ann more than my sister and brother. We would often have long conversations and watch cartoons together while snuggling. Always such fun.
While living in San Francisco, I became attached to two baby raccoons. The mother wasn't pleased but finally gave in to the fondness her babies had for me. They would play in our back yard, and I would feed them in exchange for fun tricks and games. I adored them. I named them Rocky and Bullwinkle. When I would come out in the day or night, they would see me and come out to play. I always considered them as my babies, even when they were all grown up. Until we moved from that apartment building, my babies were still showing up to eat with me and provide me with lots of laughter.
Today, as I travel around the neighbourhood, I watch pets and their owners and how they are treated. Have you ever noticed how animals appear to sense whether someone is nice or not? At one time, I thought that was a myth, but they seem to be able to look deeper into the souls of people. Often when I am walking or sitting in the park, dogs will drag their owners towards me to play with me. Often the humans are rather shy or an introvert. That's when I realised that sometimes I prefer animals to people. I often notice terrible owners walking or dragging their dogs behind them because they are too busy looking at their phones the entire time. The poor animals always seem to give you that look of please save me. For many, it seems like it's a horrible chore to own a dog or cat. Every day I wonder why so many people have pets when they appear to show them little attention or love.
Like a cat, I am inquisitive and tend to poke around, looking for answers. I started asking pet owners a series of questions about their pets. I asked 30 people why they own a dog, cat, goldfish, bird, or other animals. Here is what they said:
Prefer to be around animals than most people
Out of and for love
Animals are great for mental health because they provide unconditional love
They provide excellent comfort, especially now during COVID-19
I care for animals so much because they are pure love. They love you, they don’t judge you, they don’t discriminate, they are innocent beings and we have domesticated them so we are responsible for them
Pets are forgiving and willing to love over and over again
Good companions and lots of fun to be around
A great de-stressor during difficult times of dealing with awful co-workers
Great companionship
Pets teach children to be more responsible, show empathy and awareness of all animals around them
Because of their unconditional love and trust
Pets make us smile; they are protective and a family member
Their unconditional love makes us feel more human
Pets are great companions for children
People that grow up with pets are more responsible and compassionate
It's the reason I get up every day
Days when feeling sadness or anxiety, their presence lifts me and gives me joy
Pets are non-judgmental; they give unconditional love
Pets take the stress and anxiety of the world away, helping us to focus on kindness
Several years ago, as faith would have it, an opportunity presented itself. The San Francisco Department of Public Health released an RFP, or Request for Proposal under their Infectious Disease branch to educate the LGBTQ community about syphilis. The campaign's goal was to engage with priority communities and educate them on the importance of being tested. After meeting with community members, it became apparent that no one wanted their face to be used with a syphilis campaign, although they all agreed that a message is needed. So, we, the Promotions West team, brainstormed for days on the right approach to use. Once we decided, the proposal was written and submitted for review. We decided to call the campaign Dogs Are Talking for the first year. The second-year would be Cats Are Talking. One of the critical decision-makers overseeing our work feared cats and eliminated using cats as part of the campaign. So we had to go only with dogs. We won the contract and kicked off the campaign with an announcement with the Mayor of San Francisco at that time and members of the board of supervisors on the steps of City Hall.
Dogs were the campaign spokespeople, delivering messages to their owners and those in the community to get tested. We kicked off the campaign with a brunch in the park event for dogs to eat and perform. The dogs were in cute outfits, and our photographer took photos of each dog and their human companion. We hoped that ten dogs would drag their owners to the event, but instead, over 50 dogs showed up in various costumes. It became clear to me that animals seem to get along better than humans. Watching them play together without any fighting, kept me smiling the entire day. The campaign used humour and facts, enabling the dogs to share messages.
Do you remember any movies or television shows that featured animals? Let me share a list that I pulled together that even surprised me. See if you can recognise any of these shows, although some are very old. Here goes:
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin featured a dog
Gentle Ben - featured a large bear
Lassie - featured a collie dog named Lassie
Baretta - featured a cockatoo named Fred
Addams Family featured Kitty-cat, the family lion
Annie Oakley and her horse Target
Night at the Museum featured Dexter, a Capuchin Monkey
Mister Ed - about a horse that talks
Flipper about a Bottlenose Dolphin
Fraser featured Eddy, a Jack Russel Terrier
The Lone Ranger featured Silver the horse
Hootch, a Dogue de Bordeaux, was featured on Turner and Hooch
Breakfast at Tiffany's featured Cat that Audrey Hepburn loved
The Wizard of Oz featured Toto, a Cairn Terrier
One of the lessons I learned is that people who genuinely love their pets will do anything for them. They will go through any expense to provide the best food, toys, outfits, and healthcare when they get ill. It reminds me of my real friends. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them if they are in pain or struggling. After all, that's what real friends do for each other, and pets can be your best friend, too. I would like to acknowledge the beautiful photo of Apple, who was a native New Yorker that passed away several years ago.
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