I read an article on theories regarding pet ownership recently that asserted, “In many ways, what’s on the other end of the leash is a mirror for who we are.” As one would expect the bulk of the article dealt with the oft observed phenomenon of how dogs do very often look (and/or act) like “their people”...which I must confess I’ve long marveled at (and derived great amusement from) myself. Delving a bit deeper, however, it also explored the psychological explanations for choices that might seem to defy this stereotype, noting that as in human-to-human relationships, pets often complement their non-canine counterparts — citing the example of an introvert who chooses a lovable Golden Retriever to create social interactions he or she wouldn’t find courage to engage in independently. And, of course, it pointed out the inexplicable extremes of such “mis-matches” as the “Bulldog” perception of Winston Churchill being shattered by the reality he in fact owned a Miniature Poodle. Go figure.
What was most interesting to me, however, was the given assumption that human choice — albeit possibly subconscious — is the primary force through which human-pet pairings occur. And, although it touched on the outside possibility of cats proving the sole exception, the many theorists interviewed had covered all their bases with regard to “exotic” pets as well… “If you have a ferret you may be telling the world, ‘I’m a non-conformist’ [,etc.]...anyway, that’s the message others perceive and you intentionally — or at least subconsciously — want to communicate it.” Okay, experts. Whatever you say.
Not really. Actually, I snickered most at the dismissal of the psychologist who “dismisses the game” of matching pets to their owners (which another psychologist had insisted he could do with dead-on accuracy)...especially since the example used to illustrate how accurate such stereotypes prove was the assertion a sweet little old lady wouldn’t be the owner of 20 snakes. Not a fan of snakes myself, I sincerely hope that’s true. However, having previously asserted in the Temporary Insanity column I’ve been told I look like I “sit on the couch and eat bon bons” all day, I can tell you from firsthand experience that when unsuspecting house guests see me approaching with a rat on my shoulder (and another or two up my sleeve or in my hair), they might as easily be looking at Green Card’s prim Mrs. Bird with Boa Constrictors. And, as for ferrets seeming non-conformist, heck, when you own rats you quickly learn how close the perception between ferret and Chihuahua really is. Rats by contrast are, well, rats. Believe me, they stand alone...as does, most often, the human “parent” holding them. No matter how beautiful to their mom, it truly seems there simply are no uglier “babies”.
But, what’s the point, you’re asking. Simple. As an “artist insane” I may well be rather unconventional. But I nonetheless never set out for a pet shop in search of the perfect creature to convey that to the world. Rather, Andre and I were going about our business one day, already happily in the possession of a pretty wide variety of “normal” non-human companions. Through the course of that day we merely stopped to mail a letter. The choice of rat ownership was never for a moment a consideration — and from the first moment it became a reality, was, well, out of our hands. Or rather, in our hands, given Molly made the choice to land there. But, the point is it was her choice, not mine. And, oh am I eternally grateful that she made it!
The question, of course, is “did Molly know me better than I know myself?” Or, at least, better than I knew me at the time. Given how utterly I’ve fallen for the amazing species to which she introduced me (and ostensibly was a part...I’m still not convinced she wasn’t merely a small rather unusual-looking human!), I know now I would have chosen rats from the time I was first able to crawl into a pet store or animal shelter to find one. After all, who wouldn’t want a friend that loving, loyal, courageous, smart, trusting, educational (not to mention low-maintenance...and more) — and how many of those have you found even in people-form?
But that raises another question… “Does what’s on the end of my leash really mirror who I am.” I’ll leave it to those who know me as friends themselves to answer that. All I can say is I’ve met some pretty wonderful examples to “follow” over the past couple of years. And, goodness knows, I’m working on it.
