‘An animal can comfort many children (and adults) when a human cannot’

Ellen is a counselor in secondary special education, a thriller author at publisher De Fontein, mother of Lewis and Miles (11 and 8) from a previous relationship and gave birth to daughter Sophia with her boyfriend Nils in November.

My kids want a pet. Preferably a dog, that is really at the top. A cat is also good, but a dog is even more fun. We almost had a Labrador puppy, but the mother dog turned out to be falsely pregnant and the litter was canceled. In retrospect, I am glad about that, given the recent developments in our family. You don’t take a dog with you, you really have to have the time and attention for that.

No bad boy pranks

Animals and children, it is often a magical combination. I also find it very important that my children are kind to animals and luckily they are. I think children who hurt animals on purpose also have serious issues. Once upon a time at our petting zoo, chicks were trampled by youth. Those guys are sick, sick to death. If one of my boys ever did something like that I would personally deliver him to the police station. Outrageous and appalling behavior and in no way excusable. Abusing animals is not part of ‘boyish pranks’ or ‘adolescent behavior’.

‘Animals can be trusted, do not judge, do not look at appearance and limitations’

Animals provide comfort

For two years I was on the student council at our school (senior secondary special education, for 14 to 18 year old students with a mild intellectual disability and behavioral problems), and they once suggested buying a school dog. The argument: “Then we learn to take care of something and the dog can help us when we are struggling or lonely.” Wonderful words and so true, because for many children (and adults) an animal can comfort when a human cannot. Animals can be trusted, do not judge, do not look at appearance and limitations and can therefore mean a lot to a child (or adult) who is having a hard time. Unfortunately they didn’t know where the dog had to go after school so it didn’t happen, but it was a nice idea.

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Growing up with animals

We used to have a lot of animals. We started with fish and hamsters and an aggressive rabbit, then a Golden Retriever and a pony. I am still convinced that it was a very good move by my parents to give their three daughters a pony. I look back on a very nice and fun childhood at the equestrian center. Always outside, busy with friends and the horses. We never got bored and were given quite a lot of responsibility at a young age, after all, Star had to be taken care of every day. A good school for a bunch of teenagers. The dog died just before Lewis was born. It was a sweet creature with an innate talent for getting in the way, but she was not particularly fond of children. That is also possible.

‘With a baby in the house, I find a pet just too exciting and too much work’

No pet with baby in the house

I wouldn’t (but that’s me) not leave small children alone with a dog, but opinions are divided on that. Because in addition to all the beautiful stories you regularly hear that a dog bites or attacks a child. I wouldn’t want it on my conscience. So the boys have to be patient with their pet for a while, with a baby in the house I think it’s just too exciting and too much work.

It’s my dream after all. A house with space around it and many animals, preferably with a horse again. It has long been proven that animals can contribute positively to the development of children. Not only in terms of giving love, but also discipline in care and learning to deal with loss when an animal dies. Some studies show that children with pets also show more empathy towards their fellow humans.

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