Creature comfort: pets are helping these Northern Ireland folk through lockdown

Whether it’s a gorgeous greyhound or even a pygmy goat, our pets have provided us with companionship during the coronavirus.
Sarah Fox and her dog WalterSarah Fox and her dog Walter
Sarah Fox and her dog Walter

Walter, a sleek four-year-old greyhound, has brightened up the dull, often uncertain, days of lockdown for owner Sarah Fox.

‘‘I rehomed Walter in November last year - it was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and even more so now that we are in lockdown,’’ said Sarah.

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The 29-year-old busy PR consultant from Newtownards described the first few weeks of lockdown as a ‘‘real adjustment’’ to her usual way of life, but having her four-legged friend proved a welcome distraction.

Valeria Higgins and her cat AussieValeria Higgins and her cat Aussie
Valeria Higgins and her cat Aussie

‘‘Having Walter about meant I had to keep to my routine of feeding him, walking him and just generally looking after him.

‘‘On busy days or days that I felt a bit unsettled from the Covid-19 updates, getting out for a walk in the fresh air with the dog was the best remedy.’’

Sarah added: ‘‘Walter has been a brilliant companion to me during these weeks, especially as I live alone.

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‘‘He doesn’t have much chat in him but he does love a cuddle and a snooze on my lap, whether I’m having a coffee or watching TV.

The Austin family and their pet pygmy goatThe Austin family and their pet pygmy goat
The Austin family and their pet pygmy goat

‘‘He loves to be around me and it’s been so nice to have company like that!’’

The benefits of pet ownership for health and wellbeing are well-documented, reducing loneliness and anxiety, lending daily structure, reducing stress and lifting mood.

And that’s in normal times. In lockdown, pets are proving a lifesaver for many, providing companionship, consistency and happiness.

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Dogs in particular have helped to keep their owners active, demanding daily walks, pandemic or not.

Co Antrim woman Valeria Higgins said working from home for the last two months has certainly brought many benefits.

‘‘I see my husband and son far more than I used to and I get to share my work chair with a very annoying furry colleague who sometimes does not understand workplace etiquette - our cat Aussie.’’

Valeria, from Newtownabbey, said she’s not sure who is benefiting more from having the other one at home all the time, the cat or her.

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‘‘Aussie is definitely thrilled at having not one, but three, servants at her disposal throughout the day to attend to her needs,’’ said the 39-year-old.

‘‘At 15 she is not as active as she used to be and mainly sleeps, eats, goes out for fresh air in the garden and sleeps again.

‘‘She is very vocal nowadays and does not hesitate to make her desires for food or cuddles known, and she does not care whether she is disrupting home schooling or my Zoom meeting (she has been known to walk across the keyboard and show herself on the screen).’’

Valeria added: ‘‘I do find it great to have a pet at home at this time, we used to have two, but Aussie’s brother died last year.

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‘‘To have Aussie sitting on my lap while I work from home is very calming and relaxing, and something that could never happen in the office.

‘‘It helps to switch off when she is purring on my lap in the evening once everything is finally done and I can sit down and relax, or when she’s snuggled up next to me in bed.

‘‘So many things have completely changed over the last two months.

‘‘I find that Aussie’s presence and her routine helps to keep a sense of normality and continuity from the BC (before coronavirus) era, her needs haven’t changed, her routine hasn’t changed and she’s enjoying the benefits that the lockdown has brought with it.

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‘‘Maybe we should all be a bit more cat at this time – live in the moment, take cat naps and lounge in the sun.’’

And, of course, creature comfort doesn’t necessarily have to come from cats and dogs - as the Austin family from Co Down can attest to, for they are the proud owners of five chickens and two pygmy goats.

Dad Graham,37, said: ‘‘We got the chickens about three days before lockdown. We were going to get them anyway. Then we got the pygmy goats last week.’’

Graham and his wife Jenny have three children, Sam, 7, Josh, 5, Lucy, 2,

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‘‘The kids mentioned a dog, but we wanted some animals that don’t need too much looking after and to give the responsibility over to the children. And they have actually been pretty good, they go out every morning and let the chickens out and collect the eggs and once a week they clean out the coop.’’

When it came to bestowing their pets with names, Graham said a certain US comedy show was the inspiration.

‘‘There was a Friends theme,’’ he laughed.

‘‘The chickens are called Phoebe, Monica and Rachael and the other two chickens were named after our grannies, Gladys and Martha. The goats are called Gunther and Estelle, again following on the Friends theme.’’

Graham said the animals have proved a good distraction and interest for the children during lockdown.

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‘‘They would be outside a lot more than they used to - Lucy, especially. She actually climbed into the chicken coop and sat and had a wee chat with them!’’

And he said the kids are looking forward to training the goats.

‘‘You can train pygmy goats, like a dog, to sit and roll over and do a jump. You can also take them out for walks on a lead - we’ll take them down to Crawfordsburn Country Park some day,’’ he laughed.

Graham and his wife Jenny own a renewable energy company, Green Energy Store, but ended up on furlough during lockdown.

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‘‘This meant we had plenty of time to get the coop and the pen sorted out the way we wanted them. We tried to get the kids to actively participate in building them as well,’’ said Graham.

‘‘We live totally off grid, so getting the chickens was the next stage in teaching the kids a bit more about self-sufficiency; when they collect the eggs they’ll make omelettes and boiled eggs.

‘‘The kids have taken a real interest in finding out more about the animals, they’ve been watching YouTube videos to see how to train them, what they like as treats.’’

During lockdown, some people without pets have decided to get one.

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Dogs Trust has reported a 25% increase in adoptions, but warned that “a dog is for life … not just for lockdown”.

“We really need people to think about what might happen on the other side of this outbreak when people are hopefully back to their usual routines and have other commitments,” said the trust’s operations director, Adam Clowes.

Dogs Trust has created an online quiz for potential new dog owners to test themselves on whether they are ‘dog ready’.

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