Pets are stress relievers who bring unmatched joy, say owners

Mahizan says her two cats, Bilbo and Black, keep her company all day.

AS THE series of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic chip away at people’s mental and physical health, pet owners can turn to their furry friends for comfort.

Interacting with their loyal companions while stuck at home, they say, is the medicine they need to lift their mood and relieve stress.

Setiawangsa resident Mahizan Kasim, 60, could not imagine life without her two cats — Black and Bilbo — during these trying times.

“I like that they meow at me every day when I wake up.

“They are my companions during the day when my children are at work,” she said.

Mahizan adopted Black four years ago when it was six months old, and Bilbo three months ago from her neighbour.

“Black felt threatened when Bilbo first moved in. We often had to keep them apart as they would fight.

“But now, they cannot do without one another. They have become best friends,” said Mahizan.

Naveen A, 53, from Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur, said her three-year-old Golden Retriever Koda, brings immeasurable joy to her family.

“Koda is not just a dog, he is part of our family. He is like the male child.

“Whenever I need a listening ear, he will be there. He is a wonderful companion,” she said.

Naveen bought Koda from a breeder in 2018 after her daughter insisted that she wanted a dog.

They used to walk Koda at a park in the city before the pandemic, but now, they only take him around their neighbourhood.

For Beatrice Paul, 56, her one dog and two cats remind her of childhood days growing up in a village in Sabah.

“My family had always loved animals. When I went back to the kampung, my family always had cats,” she said.

The mother-of-one said her pets cheer her up when she is down and are a source of amusement in the household.

“They are a stress reliever. They take away your worries and help you calm down,” she said.