Not Everyone Should Own a Pet

I call this the law of responsible companionship because what you do not own, you cannot control. What you cannot control, you will destroy.

To claim the loyalty of an animal without the discipline of care is a form of tyranny. Same can be said about adopting a pet without understanding the depth of that obligation.

Take for example a young man who purchased a Siberian Husky because it made him look powerful. He posted pictures online. Gave it a name too long for the dog to remember. Kept it in a compound with no shade.

He fed it irregularly, walked it twice a week, and shouted when it barked from boredom.

By the third month, the neighbors noticed the dog had gone silent.

When the authorities arrived, the Husky had to be rehomed because he is now malnourished, withdrawn and untrusting.

The owner might blame “stress” without telling the world that he wanted the aesthetic of ownership, not the burden of it.

He confused control with care. He wanted obedience, not a relationship.

This is how some owners ruin the lives of their pets (quietly, unintentionally and through neglect).

Another person who adopted a rescue cat might treat her differently ( buying cat food and visiting vets periodically).

Each evening, no matter how tired, she would play with the cat. On weekends, she read up on feline enrichment.

Neighbours might say she treats that cat like a child. Yes, that cat is a life. Not decoration.

The cat, in return, flourished. Her health stabilized. Her behaviour improved. She trusted.

The owner understood the law: To care is to rule with justice. To adopt is to serve with discipline.

Ownership is a Vow

A pet is not a handbag, a TikTok prop, or a status symbol. It is a creature with needs that don’t flatter your ego. Neglect is violence in slow motion. Failing to walk your dog isn’t just lazy. It’s a betrayal of nature. Animals are born to move, to explore, to be mentally engaged.

Emotional Projection is Selfishness

You are not rescuing that cat to fix your heartbreak. You are not adopting that bird to feel needed. When your emotions become the blueprint for their care, they suffer.

Luxury Does Not Equal Care

Fancy leashes, designer collars, and gourmet treats do not substitute structure, routine, and medical attention.

Impulse is the Enemy of Compassion

That “cute” puppy on the roadside might grow into a 40kg commitment. Can you afford training? Can you afford surgery? Can you afford time?

Some will argue that even imperfect homes are better than the streets. That love excuses ignorance. This is flawed reasoning. A caged bird with food but no flight is not free. A lonely dog in a compound is not better than a stray—it is simply a prisoner with pedigree.

So, if you are unready to serve, refrain from adopting. If you cannot sustain care beyond novelty, you are not a rescuer—you are a captor. So, choose restraint over impulse. Discipline over sentiment. Devotion over vanity. Because in the world of pets—you are not just an owner. You are a god. Act like one.