Many families, in addition to children, also get themselves domestic animals. Whether this is good or bad is difficult to say, but it should be taken into account that this decision adds additional responsibility, expenses, and troubles to family life, while bringing much joy, interesting experiences, and discoveries. And whatever anyone may say, despite all the pros and cons, there will always be those who believe that the presence of animals in the home is a beneficial influence and additional joy.
God first created living beings: fish, birds, beasts according to their kind. He placed these creatures in natural environmental conditions and gave them the plant world as food. Now we see how many animals have become predatory and carnivorous, and their claws and teeth have become dangerous tools of defense and attack.
When it comes to domestic animals, we immediately imagine cats and dogs. These types of pets are most popular and widespread in the European region. Many owners keep them in their living spaces, and some even allow them into their bedroom or bed.
To understand what is best for animals, it's worth returning to the primary source. The natural habitat of any living beings is open space and natural conditions. When these creatures end up in artificial structures and begin to eat artificial food, then their natural needs are limited by forced conditions, which can provoke a mass of unexpected diseases and ailments that the animals will not tell you about.
It should also be noted that beasts that walk on paws are called unclean animals in the Bible (Lev. 11:27). Unclean means created for a specific purpose in the natural habitat, but certainly not for the bed.
There are studies showing that these animals have specific odors and vapors from their bodies that are harmful to people's breathing, especially in unventilated rooms, which can cause allergic reactions in their owners or provoke many hidden diseases. These risks should be considered and all pros and cons weighed before getting anyone.
Domestic animals can also include fish, birds, chickens, cows, goats, and sheep, which many also have in their household. The presence of all these speechless creatures in the lives of adults and children is an additional illustration of God's love, His creative power, wisdom, and ability to decorate His creation with extraordinary colors, forms, and character. God made everything beautiful. And if we begin to study God's creation, observe their habits, examine what they are clothed in and how they are able to adapt to different weather, then you are amazed at what a huge world for research opens up to you.
Cats and dogs are popular with all people not only for their furry appearance, but also because they can give us their sincere feelings of love, tenderness and affection, show their loyalty and humility, demonstrate forgiveness and attachment. They don't scold their owners, don't quarrel with them, don't demand money from them, but quietly wait for someone to take care of them, and are ready to sacrifice themselves to save their elder brothers in reason. Although the Lord did not give animals reason and the ability to communicate, sometimes it seems that they understand you.
For a child, the presence of animals in the house is special joy and the most beloved "toy" that has its own character and which must be reckoned with, and whose views on life must be respected.
I do not recommend that you get domestic pets and take on additional responsibility, but if you already have them, then use their presence as a visual aid for studying their habits, behavior patterns, physical structure, instincts, and all those hidden qualities of their features that were laid by the Creator in these sweet creatures. Open the world of animals for yourself and your children so they study their internal structure, what they can and cannot be fed, what they get sick with, and how long they live.
Essentially, domestic animals become part of your family and attach your hearts and emotions to themselves. It may turn out that you begin to love them more than your neighbors, and in this light I want to wish you that your good feelings would also be directed toward those who are equal to you in reason and whom the Lord commanded to love.
All your pets have one common defect that you will definitely experience - this is the short duration of their life. They live 7-8 times less than people, and the last years of their life cause them much suffering from those internal diseases and ailments that they have.
It is written in Prov. 12:10: "A righteous man cares for the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Your righteousness before God will be visible not only to members of your family, but also to your animals, and be assured that they will be the most grateful beings for your care of them.
Sanitary health reform extends not only to people, but should also affect your pets. They also want to be healthy and have a certain regime of nutrition, cleanliness, and rest. All the same laws operate in their lives too.
Children must be taught to care for their younger friends, brush their fur daily, feed them at the appointed time with proper food, monitor the cleanliness of their resting place, walk them in a timely manner if necessary, and do what the animals require in relation to themselves.
I know such cases when children asked to buy them a little dog and, until they received their cherished dream, promised to do everything and even more than that. But when this animal appeared in their home, after a couple of weeks the parents understood that another care was placed on their shoulders that was beyond their children's strength. And the dog quickly determines who in the family is its master and prefers to give its very best feelings to him and honor him above others.
Dogs are also unique in that they can be trained and made to do what will bring special benefit and joy to their owners. Their amazing scent, hearing, perceptiveness, fearlessness can become a good help for people in guarding and securing their property and life. But they cannot always be taken on long journeys, and not everywhere are there conditions for accepting them. As a result, they attach owners to themselves and do not allow them to simply leave them unattended for a long time. This should also be taken into account.
The Bible tells that on the New Earth there will be many different animals that will play with children. But it does not teach that we should get these creatures in our home. Here everyone should decide for themselves, but so that it is safe for your life and health. There is a general rule. If your pet bites or scratches, or shows aggression toward the one who cares for it or lives with you, then it is dangerous and cannot be left at home, but it is necessary to get rid of it. Wild animals such as bears, lions, wolves, tigers, and others are not even discussed. They cannot live with people because they represent mortal danger. There are also breeds of dogs that statistically are considered very dangerous and unpredictable in their habits. Study this question before acquiring anything.
Questions for Reflection
Please read Job 12:7-9; Gen. 1:20-25,28; Isa. 11:6-7; Matt. 6:26; Eccl. 3:21; Prov. 6:6-8; 12:10; Rom. 8:19; 2 Sam. 12:2-6, in light of this lesson. What other verses from the Bible came to your memory? What did you understand from this lesson? Did you have domestic animals? If yes, then share this experience. What additional responsibilities appear in the family when domestic animals appear? What is the natural habitat for animals? Why can artificial keeping conditions be harmful to animals? What influence can domestic animals have on raising children? Should children be taught that domestic animals are not toys? How can sanitary reform and health laws be connected with your pets? Should other families be forbidden to have domestic animals? What can domestic or wild animals teach us, according to Job 12:7-9? What harm can domestic animals bring? Is having other living beings in the house, besides children, bad?