Blog #2

Blog #2: Project plan
For this semester, I am researching on bonds with pets. My three steps on research would be on how we bond, what kinds of bonds, and how long does it take to bond with pets.

1. How do we bond with pets?
   This first step of research is essential because I am not sure how we bond with different pets. For example, it is easy to tell how people bond with dogs, they play and walk together. But with geckos, for example, there are no specific ways of “bonding” with them. I may think we are bonding by touching my gecko, but I would not know if my gecko thinks that it is bonding.
2. What kinds of bonds do we have/make with pets?
   
   I think this question can stretch into many answers. For example, my brother first got his gecko merely because he had a huge interest in reptiles. For me, I first got my gecko because I found her cute. And so I can have a friend. I know some other people who get pets because they are not interested in having kids or cannot, so they replace children with pets. I think everyone has a “different bond” or different relationship with pets. Or many parents who oppose having pets in the house, but end up loving them the most like my mom.
3. How long does it take to bond with pets?
   I added this question to my research because not everyone bonds with their pets fast. In my opinion, pets are easy and quick to bond with. But I was looking through the BC SPCA website, and the reasonings for some pets left at the shelter were that people did not have a bond with pets or just thought that their pet did not match them.
   

Sources that might be useful for my research (some links were recommended from the people who commented on my blog #1):
1. https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/personal-professional-development/history-and-science-of-the-human-animal-bond/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Human%20Animal,and%20physical%20connections%20people%20havehttps://phys.org/news/2005-09-animals-human-emotions.html
2. https://thriveworks.com/blog/deep-bonds-between-humans-companion-animals/#:~:text=Humans%20can%20probably%20bond%20with,the%20baby%20schema%2C%20or%20neoteny.
3. https://animalemergencycare.net/5-ways-to-strengthen-the-bond-with-your-pet/#:~:text=Daily%20play%20sessions%20with%20your,inappropriate%20behavior%20because%20of%20boredom.
4. https://www.pethonesty.com/blogs/blog/why-the-bond-between-pets-and-their-owners-is-stronger-than-ever
5. https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/how-to-bond-with-your-dog/#:~:text=Many%20sources%20cite%20a%20“3,long%20it%27ll%20take%20for

My inquiry research will have a clear implication for other individuals and/or my community who have/had pets or are thinking of getting a  pet. Hopefully through researching the three steps, I can help others have a stronger understanding of bonds with pets. I also think this inquiry question would help people who wonder about having a “playful pet” like a dog or a fish. Many people overlook “simple and boring pets” for more fun ones. For me, I still want a dog even though I have a gecko because I will have a stronger bond with dogs. My geckos do not have the intelligence to recognize their owner. I am still currently begging my mom for a dog because they would recognize me and I can play with it. I just think that it is hard to bond with my geckos since they do not make any sound and are “quiet and boring pets”. So in conclusion, I hope my question will answer pet bond questions to other individuals.

Thank you for reading.