Another Family Member: A Companion Animal

In Korea, there are almost 10 million persons who live with a companion animal. It means an average of 1 out 5 people has a companion animal. Also, persons who want to have companion animals are growing more and more. Therefore, the Pharos interviewed Kyonggi University students who live with companion animals now to give help to other students who want to have a companion animal.

Interview

Pharos: Please introduce yourself and your companion animal briefly.

Park: Hello. I’m Park Sangmi, and I’m in the Department of Western Painting. My companion animal is a Senegalese parrot. It is the size of the palm of one hand and has a tendency to follow only one person.

Jung: Nice to meet you. I’m Jung Seughun, and I’m in the Department of Chinese and Chinese Literature. My dog (Spitze) was born in 2008 and named Bokdongyi.

Pharos: What is the reason for living with your companion animal?

Park: I had another parrot that I used to raise before I got my current parrot. One day, however,

I lost that parrot because of an unexpected accident. When the companion animal that we

had always had disappeared in one moment, it felt like the house was lifeless, and my father

suggested adopting another parrot. The whole family agreed to that, so I got our current parrot.

Jung: When I was an elementary student, my parents were too busy, so I was often alone at home.

My parents were worried about that and decided to adopt a puppy after much consideration.

Pharos: Please tell us about the most important precautions people should take when living with a companion animal.

Park: Companion animals are less accepting of loneliness than people. Therefore, it is very important to play with them so they don’t feel lonely. Moreover, you have to take care of them, and it is also important to change their food and water well.

Jung: The most important things when living with companion animals are interest and observation. Companion animals express things in their own ways, because animals cannot speak like people. For example, dogs squeal, bark or rub things. You have to be interested in them and observe their behavior to know what they want or what their physical condition is. That way, you can communicate smoothly with them and deal with emergency situations, such as when companion animals get sick. Doing these things will also bring you and your companion animal closer together.

Pharos: What is the happiest situation you’re experienced while living with a companion animal?

Park: When I come back home after going out, my parrot greets me with the sound “ppiyo!” When I hear that greeting I feel happy. Also, when I stroke my parrot, it shows me that it wants more stroking. That behavior is very cute and lovely, so I feel happy.

Jung: The happiest moment with my companion was when I first bathed it. I felt like I was bathing my child. As I washed every inch of my dog, our bond increased a lot, and I was very happy because we

became really close. Dogs have to take a walk often, so I have to give him a bath often. Nevertheless, I'm still happy to see my pale puppy after taking a bath because it feels like an accomplishment.

Pharos: If you have experienced change while raising your companion animal, please tell us about it!

Park: I am more interest in animals now than in the past because I know more about animals. Also, I have learned how to love and prize animals.

Jung: I think I have become more quick-witted while living with my dog. Dogs cannot do anything without a person’s help. Therefore, you need to be quick-witted to know what the dog wants. I have become quick-witted because I have been with my dog for a long time.

Pharos: Please tell something to the people who want to have companion animals.

Park: Please love companion animals truly and keep in mind that animals love you only if you love your companion animal.

Jung: Deciding to raise a companion animal is a great responsibility and an opportunity to grow at the same time I think. It can be a burden to adjust to situations and conditions that occur while raising a companion animal. Also, after adopting an animal, there are worries like “Will I be able to raise it well?” However, if you are a person who has many worries before adopting, I think you can grow well. It is not as hard as you think. I hope you don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Dogs and cats, the animals most people adopt as companion animal, on average live more than a decade. A decade is not a short time and adopting one means you have to take care of all the things related to the animal. Therefore, Kyonggi University students who are planning to adopt companion animals should read this article before adopting one and think carefully before making their decisions.

Planning Editor•LEE GAEUN•antonia0504@naver.com