• How to care for our pets and treat them right 

Today is Love Your Pet Day. Pets are an important part of our families and life. Whether you prefer smaller pets like hamsters or fish, the more common dog or cat, or even a rarer companion like a pig, our pets are essential and irreplaceable. 

“My cat, Fatso, is a gluttonous beast,” Sam Rajapakshe, 31, told The Daily Morning Brunch. “But I can’t imagine a life where he isn’t around.” 

Many of our readers spoke to us on the memorable and sometimes hilarious stories of their pets and we were all ears. 

Animals whose morals are… different 

While we love our pets, some of them can have questionable qualities that we find adorable. 

“Our cat, Bob, has a unique waistline,” Alma Samaranayake, 25, said. “He spends the majority of his time judging us and snoozing. We had another cat when we were kids who would drag whole chickens when they were left to defrost and enrage our domestic help.”

Samaranayake said that while each pet is unique, their notoriety always makes us laugh. 

“Bob is an older cat so he behaves just like a grumpy old person,” she said. “If we could diagnose animals with the seven deadly sins, Bob would be sloth and gluttony.” 

Meanwhile, Lissala Perera, 22, shared that her dog delights in scaring people. 

“My dog always gets out and chases my boyfriend whenever he comes over,” Perera said. “My boyfriend is not used to running so it clearly becomes a problem. Despite it all, my dog is the one I turn to for good times and bad because he will always pick and love me.” 

Showing love 

Our pets often show and demand love in ways that amaze us. Many of our readers often poke fun at how high-maintenance their pets are. 

“Fatso expects rosemary oil massages regularly,” Rajapakshe said. “That’s the way he likes to be pampered. He also has a large appetite that needs to be indulged.”

Meanwhile, pet owners often describe their pets as showing affection in unique ways that we humans can never understand. 

“My cat saw that I was sick and surprised me with a dead mouse on my pillow,” Mahadiya Anees, 42, said. “I’m glad my cat loves me but do I really need an assortment of dead mice, squirrels and birds? I would much rather prefer getting special treats from my colleagues.” 

Anees joined many of our readers in appreciating the affection our pets give us, even on the days when we are not ourselves. Whether it is by presenting us with unusual gifts, snuggling with us or simply giving us their time, our pets remind us of the good in every moment. 

“Our pets are our biggest fans,” Samaranayake said. “To them we are parents, family and their biggest influences. They look up to us just as much as we admire them.” 

Celebrity pets 

With the rise of social media, many people have begun documenting the lives of their pets leading to several animals having millions of followers, gaining brand sponsorships and even becoming celebrities in their own right. 

Pet accounts such as ‘Merlin the pig’, ‘Benny the Black Persian’, and ‘Mr. Milo the Chonk’ have taken over our screens and our hearts. 

“Because of these pet celebrities, we are not only entertained when we doomscroll but we also have a deeper understanding of pet behavior and care,” Rajapakshe said. “I personally love Merlin the pig because he is such a sweetheart. I really do hope that accounts like this encourage people to be more compassionate towards animals, especially animals like pigs who are known to be intelligent and beautiful.” 

Rajapakshe suggested that the popularity of these accounts could encourage people off the meat, egg and dairy industries. 

“I hope people who follow these accounts will understand that these animals have feelings and do not want to suffer,” he said. “For example, Merlin the pig also lives with two cows. I hope these celebrity pets help people understand that these animals deserve love and that they should not be used as food.” 

Loving them right 

While we all want to do right by our pets, not all of us are educated on how to act in their best interests. 

“I sometimes get worried about whether Fatso is being overfed and I am putting him on a diet,” Rajapakshe said. 

Veterinarian Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara noted that taking your pet to a certified veterinarian is extremely important to ensure that they are in good health. 

“Pets need regular care such as vaccinations against diseases such as rabies and also regular checkups and deworming,” Nanayakkara said. “A healthy diet with vitamins and calcium is also very important to make sure that they are cared for.” 

In the end, pet owners noted that their goal is to provide the best care possible for their fur babies and many of them would do whatever it takes to make this a reality.