Everyone should have at least one pet or companion animal in their life. Animals play a crucial role in our lives, providing numerous benefits such as physical, social, behavioral, emotional, mental, and psychological health. George Eliot's quote, "Animals are agreeable friends; they ask no questions; they pass no criticism," highlights the power of the human-animal bond. Research has recognized the importance of this bond for the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The term "Zooeyia" refers to the positive health benefits for people who have a pet or interact with one. Billions of dollars are saved annually in the healthcare system when people are healthy, and animals play a vital role in good physical and mental health. The emotions we set with our pets are real, and dogs can help people heal, lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, and make them calmer and more mindful. Unfortunately, humans often cause pain and death to animals, including street dogs, through acts of violence and starvation. It is important to recognize that the universe is not just for humans but for all species with equal rights.
Dogs are considered the true identity of "Dharma" and are associated with deities like Rudra, Nirriti, Virabhadra, and Shiva, who has a dog as a vahana (vehicle) mentioned in the Mahabharata and Khandoba as well. It is said that in the Mahabharata, the famous text with five pandavas and their wife Draupadi, the only animal that went to heaven with them was the "dog," who set out on the long and difficult road to heaven. Earlier dog burials were found with humans in graves from the Stone Age. This shows the strong and loyal bond of dogs with their masters. Dogs are not capable of understanding the concept of cruelty due to their inherent nature and can be taught to be aggressive by people. Just like humans, they are social animals; they cannot speak to us in words or our language, but they too have more feelings and emotions than humans.
