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Puppy Love

Today’s family portraits look far different than they did 50 years ago, discovers JOCELYN UNWIN.

There is a famous quote that says, “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself”; and for many a dog lover this sentiment rings true. Perhaps it is the feeling of true unconditional love that a dog bestows upon a master that is the driving force behind why people are treating their ‘fur babies’ as more than just mere pets.

According to the Australian Companion Animal Council, Australia has one of the highest incidences of pet ownership in the world, with more than 3 million registered dogs and 2 million registered cats and while some may ‘goo’ and ‘ga’ over children, it now seems more and more people are going ‘gaga’ over their cats and dogs. No longer just companions for morning or afternoon walks, pets and dogs in particular, seem to have established themselves as true members of the family – with some dog owners dressing them in human-like clothing and having them sit for family portraits.

Shannon Plummer the Director of Wet Nose Fotos, a specialty pet photographer, has studios in Brisbane and Melbourne and agrees this trend has certainly taken off in recent years. “Any pet owner will tell you – pets are family. I have the great privilege of being able to capture memories of these fluffy family members and can bear testimony to the fact they are truly considered as much part of the family as children and in some cases literally are the children.”

Along with lavishing pets with photo sessions, premium foods and even day care, owners are also making sure the health and wellbeing of their pets is secured with pet insurance policies and in many cases using their savings to fund veterinary services. Dr Tim Hill from Vet Cross veterinary clinics in Bundaberg explains that there have been a number of advancements in veterinary treatments in the past 20 years thus many treatments that once was only available to humans are now available to animals – MRI and CT scans, investigative surgery, oncology and radiation.

“People are willing to spend money on their pets’ health through advanced treatments, just to keep them alive. Because of these advanced treatments, as well as very effective preventative health measures, animals are living longer and enjoying a better quality of life.”

Even though people have always loved their pets, what’s really behind this new trend which places them on a par with humans?

Dr Tanya Signal, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at CQUniversity, specialises in understanding the complete human/animal bond and explains that this behaviour can be attributed to a number of factors. “Because there are so many single person households, and couples are putting of starting families, pets – in particular dogs – are filling a void and providing the personal interaction that traditionally other people would provide. Along with this couples who are putting off children are nurturing their pets in the same way they would perhaps nurture a child.”

Dr Signal points out that pets are also often a ‘social glue’. “How often when out walking your dog might you speak with other dog owners, or how often might you bond with your neighbour about the activities of your feline friend?”

She also explains that it isn’t just the pets that benefit from this trending behaviour but also their owners. “There are many studies that show pet ownership can deliver countless physiological benefits including reduced stress, depression and blood pressure. This is mainly due to increased levels of oxytocin, the love hormone, which is be triggered through interactions with pets.

“There is no doubt that positive interaction with animals is a good thing all round, not just for the pet but the owner too.”

After all there is another famous quote that says “Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole”.