The particular importance of childhood pets
The paw-fect present
My mum’s 50th birthday was coming up and I wanted to give her a really meaningful and special present. I thought, therefore, that I would draw a pet portrait of her first cat “Pushkin,” named after Alexander Pushkin, the 19th century Russian poet, playwright, and novelist (and also because it sounds a bit like puss-kin!)
Childhood pets are really important to us. Most people can quickly recall the name of their first pet, which is why it's so often used as a password recovery prompt (or even as the password itself—not a good idea BTW!). Countless scientific studies have confirmed what we instinctively already knew: that pets have a massive positive impact on children growing up.
I’ll list four reasons why I think childhood pets are so important, and then share the completed framed portrait of Pushkin. I’ll also include some cute pictures of my childhood pets Titus and Pepper.
Companionship and Emotional Well-being
Top of the list, for me, of things that make childhood pets so special would be the unconditional love and companionship that they offer. Whether it's a loyal dog, a cuddly cat, or an industrious hamster, the presence of a pet provides emotional support, and fosters a sense of security and comfort.
It’s not just me that thinks this. Psychologists found that “Pets …featured prominently as providers of comfort, esteem, support and [even] confidantes for a secret.” Studies have also shown that the simple act of petting an animal is linked to a reduction of the stress hormone cortisol and the release of the "love hormone" oxytocin.
As children move into their teenage years, life can be increasingly stressful with exams, relationships, and the looming pressure of the future. When the world feels confusing or friendships get complicated, our pets are always there with wagging tails or gentle purrs, reminding us that we're not alone. It's the kind of unconditional love that doesn't judge, criticise, or demand perfection – a comforting constant in our ever-changing lives.
Responsibility and Routine
Another benefit of having pets in our early years is that they can help instil a healthy sense of responsibility (I found a great article about suitable age related responsibilities). We may not always appreciate it at the time, but feeding, grooming, and ensuring the well-being of our furry friend can teach us valuable life skills. It helps promote empathy and a deeper understanding of the needs of others, fostering a nurturing mind-set that extends beyond the realm of pets. Caring for a pet is a crash course in the realities of adulthood that children will inevitably face, so perhaps the occasional arguments over who walks the dog or cleans out the hamster cadge are worth it after all!
Social Skills and Communication
When we are young, talking, reading, and relating to our pets can help develop good communication skills. Pets can also serve as catalysts for social interaction and communication with other humans. Whether it's walking a dog in the local park or discussing the antics of their pet with friends, children often find common ground and shared interests through their furry companions. This not only enhances their social skills but also helps build lasting friendships.
Physical Activity and Outdoor Exploration
Finally, encouraging physical activity is crucial for a child's overall health, and pets can be a great way to help promote an active lifestyle. Walking a dog, playing fetch, or engaging in interactive games encourages outdoor exploration and helps children develop coordination and motor skills. These activities contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle, combating the sedentary habits and extended screen times so often associated with modern childhood.
Apparently, though, there is another possible health related effect of having a pet when we are very young. While cats and dogs are often linked to allergies, there is some evidence that having a pet at an early age is actually associated with a lower chance of developing allergies. Children exposed to cats or dogs as babies were reported to have a 15% less chance of developing allergies to things like eggs, milk, wheat, soybeans, and nuts.
Creating a Mixed-Media Pet Portrait
Given all the many positive effects of a childhood pet, it’s no wonder that our first is so memorable and special. When it comes to drawing them, though, it can be a challenge to find a good reference photo, especially as they are most likely no longer with us—learning about life, death, grief and loss is definitely one of the sadder lessons children get from having a pet.
After a short search, however, I managed to find a photo of Pushkin in a family album. There was not much detail but bringing faded memories back into vivid focus is one of the truly satisfying challenges of being a pet portrait artist. While the image was far from perfect, the pose was really good. He is peeking out of a wooden bucket in front of the family house. Including some of the background helped make the best use of the detail that was there, especially given the lovely brick and wood textures. It also grounds the picture in a particular time and place, evoking more precious memories.
While there are limits to what can be done working from these kinds of old photos, there was certainly enough detail to create one of my 4x4 inch mini-portraits. I also decided to experiment a bit and use watercolours so I could fade the background out in an interesting way. I then went over some of it using coloured pencils to fill in more of the detail. I wasn’t sure if the paper (ARCHES Watercolour 300 GSM, Cold Pressed) would let me do that but I was really pleased with the result.
My grandfather, who remembers taking the picture almost half a decade ago, really liked the drawing and asked for a large print version of it. I had the usual challenge of colour-correcting for the printer and I wasn’t sure how it would look enlarged, but in the end it turned out really well! I think I’ll sell some prints of it in my shop or if you would like to commission me to draw an original portrait of a special pet then do please get in touch.