In the beginning, God declared, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the cattle, and all living things on the earth.”
The bond between humans and animals is intricate and has been for centuries. We’ve had a controlling role over them, for better or for worse. Caring for them is a serious responsibility.
There was a time when calling for child protective services was warranted, and now we accept situations where children crawl in areas full of animal waste.
In the past, our ancestors would offer their best animals as sacrifices. Those who turned away from God ended up idolizing animals instead. We interacted with them, traveled alongside them, and even fought battles riding on their backs. They were domesticated for food and clothing, and the more compassionate among us treated them with kindness.
Our love for animals is evident, but we’ve also used them for our own needs and entertainment.
Friend zone
Animals have always been companions to humans. Yet, the expression that animals are “man’s best friends” only emerged in the 18th century. Even then, those companions were quite different from the pets we have today.
Animals historically served various roles, including support for the disabled, the grieving, and the lonely. Still, this wasn’t the norm; animals were close to humans because they provided value. Children played outdoors with them, often with barns connected to their homes. But, no reasonable family would let their kids share living spaces with animals unless the animal was sick and needed special attention.
What used to merit intervention is now normal. Children crawl through the mess of animal waste without a second thought. With such a prevalent notion of emotional support animals, we’ve somehow decided that it’s acceptable for both children and animals to live in questionable conditions.
A variety that seeks comfort
The pets we cherish today have almost lost their essence as God’s creations. We’ve bred them based on our preferences. In doing so, we’ve confined and enslaved wildlife. They now rely entirely on us, even as we seek to fulfill our emotional needs through them. We may have crafted something akin to a modern-day Frankenstein, prioritizing our comfort without recognizing the consequences. The creatures we’ve altered and overpopulated often now exist as feral entities on the streets, forgotten.
As Christians, tasked with being responsible stewards of God’s creations, we must reflect on this. Have we abused animals under the name of love?
We often excuse these abuses with self-serving rationalizations. Perhaps it’s this belief that “they like it.” Is confinement truly enjoyable for a pet? They may scratch and bark at doors, showing signs of frustration. Yet we convince ourselves that they thrive while being caged or leashed for our convenience. Sometimes we hoard animals, claiming it’s an act of love. But isn’t it children who should be learning responsibility through the care of pets? Adults, instead, could look to prayer for guidance and discipline.
Related: An elderly firefighter tragically lost his life after being attacked by a pack of pit bull/mixed breed dogs. The owner faces charges of murder and animal cruelty.
Tied up
Pet ownership can sometimes indicate deeper issues. People might seek companionship from animals rather than addressing their own mental health.
We assert that pets make us responsible adults. Yet, they may hinder our capacity to engage with others. Due to them, opportunities for travel, volunteering, and participating in significant life events can slip away. Pets can diminish our generosity, availability, and—ultimately—our freedom.
The gospel doesn’t extend to “man’s best friend.”
But the changes we’ve made aren’t easily reversible. Abandoning a pet, even if it was initially a mistake to take one in, poses its own set of challenges.
This isn’t the first instance of humanity misusing its power over animals. Thousands of years ago, pigeons were domesticated for food and communication. With advancements in technology rendering them obsolete, these once-reliable companions became nuisances. When they no longer served our needs, they fell out of favor.
There’s no easy answer
Instead of perpetuating this cycle of domesticating and discarding animals, we need to pause and evaluate our actions. Are we misusing the authority granted to us by God? What steps can we take for reconciliation without causing further harm? Honestly, I don’t have a straightforward answer. I’m merely critiquing the modern pet industry.
For now, we shouldn’t accept animal hoarding. Rather than focusing solely on pets, let’s connect with lonely individuals in our communities. Those who have unruly animals should find ways to manage them, rather than burdening others with filth, noise, and potential danger. Just like young people can become disoriented and restless, so too can animals when they lack purpose.
Finding a humane approach to transitioning pets back into their natural roles would benefit both them and us.
