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Velma's Pets As Therapy,
PO Box 324, Killara, NSW 2071, Australia.

Research, Statistics, Quotes and Information
On The Benefits Of Pets

This Page Includes:-

The Hugh Mackay Study Of Our Attitudes Towards Cats And Dogs

Part 1

The Hugh Mackay Study Of Our Attitudes Towards Cats And Dogs

 MacCallum Research Pty.Ltd.
in association with
Hugh Mackay
A STUDY OF OUR ATTITUDES TO CAT AND DOG OWNERSHIP
Motivations and Benefits of Ownership:the Personal, Familial and Social Context
Conducted for PETCARE INFORMATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE
ISBN 0 646 11824 2
September 1992

WHAT AUSTRALIANS FEEL ABOUT THEIR PETS
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PROLOGUE
Social Change and Pet Ownership, Hugh Mackay
THE FINDINGS
1. Pet ownership transcends the rational...
2. The pressures of contemporary life favour increased pet ownership.
2.1 Human relationships are now more complex
2.2 Life itself is more unstable and unpredictable
2.3 Society today places strong pressure on us to be "good"
2.4 Loneliness and isolation
2.5 A link with nature
3.Pets deliver intense therapeutic benefits
3.1 A secure and reliable relationship
3.2 A relaxant
3.3 A receptacle and an encouragement for emotional outpouring
3.4 Animals are responsive to contact
3.5 A low investment for a big return
3.6 Structure and ritual
3.7 Facilitators of human contact
3.8 Pets empower
4. Pet stories are an abundant source of folklore, legends and stereotypes which amuse and deeply satisfy pet owners
5. Pets play many different roles in the lives of their owners
A Pet as a....
5.1 Teacher of children
5.2 Family member
5.3 Child substitute
5.4 Companion
5.5 Fashion accessory or decoration
5.6 "Brand"
5.7 Demonstration of authority
5.8 Playmate and toy
5.9 Worker
5.10 Money earner
5.11 Pure animal
5.12 Waste bin
6. Pet ownership is pleasantly basic and simple
6.1 There is (usually) a clear master or mistress
6.2 The needs of the pet are easily satisfied
6.3 Indulgence in stereotyping
6.4 The "cave man" instinct
6.5 Primitivism
6.6 Cats have "mystical powers"
6.7 Pet ownership satisfies a deep urge to be in touch with our basic instincts
7. The trend towards superior pet care acknowledges the increasingly important role of pets in contemporary life
8. Sometimes pets just become a nuisance ....
8.1 They tie you down
8.2 They cost money
8.3 Some people are allergic to fur
8.4 Pets may fail to live up to the owner's expectations
8.5 Pets can become a heartache
9. Dogs are more emotionally accessible than cats.
9.1 It is easier to have a rewarding relationship with a dog
9.2 "Cats are more discriminating and independent"
9.3 The mysteriousness and sensuality of cats

1. Pet ownership transcends the rational....
The overriding impression to emerge from this study is the extent to which pet owners' relationships with their animals, particularly their cats and dogs, parallels human life and relationships. Thus responsibility, care, cost and control are elements of the relationship, as are mutual support, reward, affection and, in the most extreme cases, obsession. As motivations for ownership, however, these elements/benefits are not on a continuum, in that the possible negatives are not realistically weighed up against the positives. Rather, the emotional rewards of ownership are so great that the rational objections to ownership simply don't have much influence on the final decision. Thus, a (potential) owner will acknowledge the likely hassles of ownership, but be ultimately influenced by the emotional positives and benefits.

"Sometimes I think I should have written a book on the sagas of our pets. One year I missed all the Christmas parties because I was home feeding our cat through a straw".
"Mum said she couldn't bear the responsibility of a pet anymore, so she took our dog to the pound and left it there. But then after two hours she couldn't bear it anymore, so she went back to collect him. She had to pay !"
"I don't think I could ever be poor enough not to feed my cats".
"You've got to have a dog. I'd never be without a dog".
"It's not an easy thing to explain how I feel about Lucky...."
"The money doesn't come into it, just like you don't cost your children out".
"The cost is part of bringing up a dog, I don't really mind the dollars because we have so much fun".
"My son said only the other day 'I still miss Sissie' and I said I miss her too"
Just as rational disincentives to ownership don't carry much weight, so the rational arguments in favour of ownership are ultimately unsatisfactory as well. They turn out to be exactly that, rationalisations. Thus, the watchdog turns out to be a "sook"; parents talk about acquiring a pet so that their children can learn "responsibility" by caring for it, and then they laughingly admit that this so-called advantage came to nothing. Instead, the children had benefited at an emotional level from the love and affection generated by pet ownership.
"We got him as a watchdog but he's hopeless. He'd lick a burglar to death".
"The kids promised the world, but nothing happened "That doesn't matter though, they learn things in other ways, like loving and caring for someone else besides themselves".
"They give you back the love you give them".
In the final analysis, owning a pet is a bit like falling in love - one does it in spite of any rational awareness and discussion of the problems which might ensue. Similarly, one becomes a parent knowing that raising children has its problems.

Recognition of the separation of these rational/emotional and positive/negative factors is fundamental to our interpretation of the factors influencing pet ownership: they are not two sides of an equation, rather they are two separate "agendas".

2. The pressures of contemporary life favour increased pet ownership
There are a number of factors in modern day life which can act as triggers to pet ownership, because the kind of unconditional love which pets offer seems to act as an antidote to life's pressures.

Without necessarily being consciously aware of it, people may, thus, remember the feelings associated with owning a pet in the past and seek to reintroduce pets' often calming influence into their lives.

Owning a pet is so therapeutic that individual family members may even have their own pet and, therefore, their own personal and individual source of therapy.

2.1 Human relationships are now more complex
The readjustments resulting from divorce, the blending of families, becoming a stepchild or a step-parent, the pressures on working mothers; or conversely, the pressure of unemployment, or leaving the family home to reside in a health care facility are becoming increasingly common in modern day life and can add enormously to its difficulties and complexities. The undemanding simplicity of the love offered or required by a pet can be a welcome contrast to this.
"A dog is better than a person because it doesn't tell you when it doesn't like something. It can't hassle you and it can't ask for money".
"I had a cat for 18 years. He was very loyal"
"A dog is something you can keep with you. It's constant and reliable, not like women or flat mates, and as long as you keep feeding it, it keeps coming back".
"Taking my cat into the Hostel helped the transition from home and was like taking a friend with me. Without her I would have felt lonely and not taking her with me would have been more devistating than loosing my health".

2.2 Life itself is more unstable and unpredictable.
The past decade has been a period of enormous social, political and cultural upheaval, not to mention the technological advances which confront us every day at home and at work. Rapid changes have taken place and continue to do so, with the result that there is an absence of reassuring rituals and certainties. Families fragment, businesses are sold, houses make way for high rise developments and people are bombarded with information on how to improve their communications - even the simple telephone now has a range of options and suppliers. As a result of both the nature and degree of these changes, anxiety, stress and insecurity are experienced.In this world of rapid change, the one thing which remains pretty constant is one's pet.

"He's a good little cornerstone in our household. It doesn't matter how cheesed off everyone else is, he's happy".
"The animals are my security blanket. They are my children, I don't think I could live without them".
"Owning a cat or dog is like buying chocolate in the recession. It comforts you".
"People don't give up their pets just because of the recession".
"You owe it to a pet to see them through and not just turn them out".

2.4 The loneliness and isolation
The loneliness and isolation inherent in some lifestyles can be tempered by pet ownership, and while control is demanded in other aspects of life, one can "let go" with an animal and weep, or enjoy the cuddling and nurturing.
"The attitudes of people are changing about showing emotions. Once, if you went overboard with a cat you were seen as over the top. Now we know that stroking and touching is good for you and cats are an easy way to do it".
"We were so traumatised when our cat died, we buried her in the garden so she could be near us - my husband was so deeply upset, it's interesting to see Australian men can be like that now, so sensitive about pets".
"Animals make life richer. In our society you don't get much touching, but with an animal you do".
"The number of times the kids have been growled at mercilessly by their mother and then gone and cuddled the dog!".
"It's nice to relate to an animal if only because they don't talk back".
"He loves me even when no-one else does".

2.5 A link with nature
And finally, owning animals can provide a much needed link with "nature" for those living in a highly-urban environment.
"Living in the city, no-one talks to you. You could be here for 20 years and no-one would talk to you, you could die with no-one knowing or caring - but my cat reminds me of living in the country. She cares about me like people do in the country".

3. PETS DELIVER INTENSE THERAPUTIC BENEFITS
There are a number of different therapeutic roles which pets perform. It is these factors which are so influential in the process of making decisions about pet ownership.

3.1 Pets provide a secure and reliable relationship which is, at the same time, undemanding and uncomplicated.
"Dogs are better company than husbands and they don't talk back - or if they do, you can lock them out".
"I like it when your dog waits on the shore for you when you come in from the surf".
"I had old Soxy for 20 years. She was blind but she was my friend all that time".
"I want a female dog. I understand females. My husband is enough in the male department".
"I'd like a Pit Bull Terrier. They're a one-owner dog. They're really faithful".
"My dogs are faithful and intelligent. When the phone rings they tell me, because sometimes I don't hear it".
"They make the atmosphere warmer. We were all brought up to think we would have a house and a family and a fence and animals, as if we have to have that as a symbol of normality".

3.2 They can be a relaxant, both physically and emotionally.
There is something soothing about stroking or patting an animal. Even the feel of its fur can be comforting.
"They really relax me. I'm hypertensive. I have been for years. When I cuddle my cat, I can feel the tension dropping away".
"I think having an animal is good for you".
"If you're feeling grumpy, they calm you down. If the family is at each other's throats, the dog will be patted by everyone".
"It's good to spend a few minutes a day spoiling an animal. They're soothing. They bring people's blood pressure down".

3.3 Related to the last point, a pet can be a receptacle and an encouragement for emotional outpouring.
Pets allow their owners to show emotion without judging them; pets give pleasure when they show their own emotions; and for humans, telling animal stories can be a thoroughly enjoyable pastime.
"I cry into their fur. They're not judgemental, they never reprimand you".
"Dogs are good in nursing homes. They're wonderful for the residents, so much better to look at than a fish tank and you can't cuddle a fish".
"They've got such character, they look sad when you leave them".
"We called in to see some friends. He's got cancer of the throat and he's just had an operation - he's never had a dog before because of the vegetable garden, but now they've got this Silky Terrier, and there he was, pleading with his wife to let it in , it looks to me as if he loves the dog more than his wife".
"They're little furry persons to us. They have their own little personalities. First we had a Siamese; he talked, he was so intelligent, then we got a stray and he's just as sweet and intelligent and beautiful".
"When our dog died after 17 years, my 15 year-old son cried his heart out. We buried the dog under the tree, and placed a cross".
"They give you so much joy, the household wouldn't be the same without them and a home wouldn't be a home".

3.4 Unlike some people, animals are responsive to contact.
"He loves being cuddled. As soon as I sit down he jumps on my knee it makes me feel wanted".
"The dog and the cat love the attention, whereas the other day my daughter said 'stop stroking me Mum, I'm not a cat!"
"My dog talks to me, he answers back and everything. When he wants food he says, 'Mmm, Mmm'"
"When I go to the toilet he puts his paws under the door".
"Our cat sits on your knee and puts his paw up to your face. He's saying, 'cuddle me'"

3.5 In comparison with some human relationships, pets can represent a low (emotional) investment for a big return.
The relationship does not require the same input in terms of time and effort as a human one, and yet the rewards can be true love, gratitude, fun and affection, and the animal keeps on giving even when the owner is (temporarily) neglectful.
"They don't answer back and it doesn't matter if you're good, bad or indifferent, they'll love you".
"If you give a dog love, it'll give you love back, with no strings attached. But with a human, you don't necessarily get back what you give".
"My dog costs me less than a week, but you should see what she gives me back".
"What you put in is what you get out".
"My husband wasn't allowed animals as a child, now he loves our dog. When he gets home at night he says 'Daddy's home'"

3.6 Pets can provide structure and ritual in lives which might otherwise be out of control.
The simplicity of their demands forces one "to keep your feet on the ground" and to follow some sort of routine in terms of food and care.
"Having an animal gives me a responsibility. If you're on your own you have to get up for the animals. Their total dependence stops you giving in to pain".
"If I didn't have my Buck, I wouldn't go for a walk".
"He was a big commitment. Every Sunday we'd walk for miles. He was so lovable and intelligent".
"It's a living thing. You have a responsibility to keep it healthy".
"They're a constant in your life"..
"When a dog dies it's like loosing a child".

3.7 Pets can be important facilitators of human contact.
They can enrich, protect and enhance family life; they can act as a reason to talk to strangers and as a point of contact with neighbours.
"We all know each other's cats and dogs like we know each other's children".
"My son says animals bring a family together. My eldest feeds the dog and my youngest feeds the cat. They come from anywhere when the right person calls them".
"When our family was breaking up, a safe topic was the dogs. When my ex-husband rings up I ask him about the dogs. It's safe, neutral territory".
"When we broke up my husband said 'I'm having the dog.' he could relate to animals better than he could to me".

3.8 Pets empower.
Pets therefore, could be said to deliver on some of the most fundamental human needs - companionship, reliability, stress release and order, all of which are basic to human happiness and much needed in our increasingly unreliable and rapidly changing world.


4. "Pet stories" are an abundant source of folklore, legends and stereotypes which amuse and deeply satisfy pet owners.
It was readily apparent from the tone of all the discussions held for this study that pet owners love talking about their animals. This is partly because of the inevitable enjoyment which anyone feels when talking about a subject of intense interest to themselves, but there are also some rather more subtle issues at work which help to intensify the enjoyment.
Firstly, owners are allowed to talk about their pets, at least among other pet owners, in a way which society does not tolerate so readily for children. One can skite about and admire the exploits of one's pets with few inhibitions, whereas lengthy discussions of one's children in the same tones can earn the ire of the listener.
"Our cat learned to open the fridge. It had the timing so perfect, it would hit its paw against the seal and then jump on to the bench, into the fridge and eat the food, Glad Wrap and all. So we got a new fridge. Within a week she had that worked out too"
"Ralph is a pig. He'll eat lollies, rubbish, pineapple, anything - if you give him an ordinary chip he won't eat it, he wants a corn chip"
"I've got a menagerie at my place and every animal gets on with every other animal. The cat and the dog and the rabbit all chase each other around the back garden. They sleep together"
"I have real trouble getting mine in the bath and she doesn't like the hairdryer. I have to chase her around and around the house".
"Our dog gets in the pool with the kids in summer, and he loves the hose". "Our dog hates the lawnmower" "Ours hates the whipper snipper, I go zoom zoom at him" "You're terrible!".
"My parents' dog knows when they're going away, it's neurotic. Whenever they go, it comes to us and he sulks for two days, he's off his food, then he comes good and makes the best of it".
"Our dog goes and sits in the car the moment I pick up the keys".
"My dog loves spaghetti. When he was tiny he used to suck it up".
"No more animals I said, then my daughter's friend said she had a cat she just wanted to bring around to show me - well, she did a real number on me - "Catastrophe" he's called, because one night he fell 40 feet".
"My dog howls at The Young and The Restless" "Do you blame him?!"
"She's a terrific dog. When she can't get anyone to play with her, she drops her ball down the stairs, chases it down, then brings it up and does it again".
Secondly, as mentioned in Chapter 2, society places considerable pressure on people to be "good" - tolerant, non-judgemental, unprejudiced and so on. Trying to observe these rules in life and conversation can be hard work, as they may run counter to a person's inclinations. These sorts of pressures simply don't apply to animals, or at least not to the same extent, and this makes the telling of pet stories much easier and simpler. Well-established prejudices against, say, certain breeds of dog, or against cats in general, or the fairly simple expectations one has of a pet (in comparison with what is expected in human relationships) all serve to remove potential complexities from the owner/pet relationship. The uni-dimensional nature of the relationship thus adds to the enjoyment of it, and to the enjoyment of talking about it.
The following quotes are a sample of the sort of simplistic generalisations which are frequent in conversations about pets.
"I think the dog's personality depends on the family they're with: they take on your personality. Dogs look like their owners, too, if you ever see a pug-nosed dog!"
"One of my mates had a Rottweiler and after seven months it still didn't know its name. The vet said 'don't buy a Rottweiler, they're stupid' ".
"The little one is so aggro, we call him Crypto because he even beats Superman. The big one, he's a Bull Terrier and he's so gentle".
"People have different responses to black dogs because you can't read the expression on their faces so well, so if you're in the park you're more anxious if you see a black dog".
"We used to have a cat called Naughty George, we took him to the vet and after that he was just George".
"Little dogs bite far more than big dogs".
"Shepherds got a bad reputation in the '50s and '60s".
"I was bitten on the hand by a Bull Terrier and it just wouldn't budge - they don't, you know".
"I don't trust people who don't have animals - they're lacking in warmth".
"I hated my daughter's boyfriend and he was the only person the dog attempted to bite".
"I'm a bit concerned about people who don't like dogs. I don't trust people who don't like animals".
Thirdly, irrespective of how intensely an owner may feel about their pet, for most people they are still regarded as animals, not humans. It is, thus, permissible to laugh at hard luck and even violent pet stories, whereas to do so with human stories would be tantamount to "speaking ill of the dead", or condoning behaviour likely to attract the attention of child welfare authorities. Euthanasia is also a widely accepted practice with animals that are suffering.
"I took my cat to the vet and while I was waiting I bought a flea collar and some shampoo. When I took her in, the vet said, 'I'll just take her out the back' and I thought, 'Oh, they're going to put some plaster on her,' and then they bought me back the lead. I thought, what?, they've killed her, and I walked out through the waiting room with my shampoo, collar and empty lead".
"He raced up the steps and belted his head on the door because his dog door was shut - God, it was funny!"
"Euthanasia is a privilege animals have which is denied to humans".
"You hate doing it, but sometimes putting them down is kindest".
"I know a bloke who shot his dog and buried it in a hole the dog had dug itself he begrudged paying for it".
In consequence of the above influences, pet stories can become key elements of family tradition and folklore, told with relish and embellishments, laughter and tears, and handed down from one generation to the next. Their popularity may be due, in part, to the paucity of human folklore, now that we have moved so far from our tribal origins. Death related stories seem to hold a particular fascination (and to cause the most mirth).
"My Mum was suffering from a nervous breakdown and Ringo the dog was the only one who could really reach her. We lost him in the Dandenongs and weeks later he turned up, all thin and drooling at the mouth, in Northcote, Mum's old home, and then he went from there to Thornbury to her new house, but we weren't there Mum was in hospital, and eventually he died".
"We had a cat in Brisbane. When we moved from The Gap to Holland Park it managed to find its way across town - it died after that too".
"The vet said he'd had a heart attack so we bought him home. He died at 4.15a.m. on Friday 13th we were with him when he died and to think he'd been the sickest of the litter and lived the longest".
"My old poodle is 16 now. He came from the pound, he's blind, he can't hear, he's got a pin in his hip, he's been hit recently and got seven broken ribs, but he's tough and he sleeps outside, not on any bed - I'm a country girl, you see".
"When the kids were toddlers, the cat used to follow them around. We could always find them by looking for where the cat was".
"I explained to the children that the cat had gone to heaven and my son said 'do you think God will have chunky tuna? And how does he get from under the ground up to heaven?'. 'Magic', I said!"
"I'm driving her to the vet, all mangled, the children are screaming and I'm crying and saying don't die on me, and she came good - she's even got a boyfriend now".
"The cat is going senile now; he sleeps on the bed and he dribbles in my ear" "Sounds like my husband!"

Part 2 of this study is on the next page.

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