NORMAN — Propinquity is a tricky little pickle. It can mean “proximity” or “close relationship.” However, there also is a component to propinquity which could be the reason for the end result.
In this great and wonderful world, there are folks who feel closer to their pets than they do to other humans. Consequently, they treat their pets better than humans. Why do you suppose that is?
Granted, humans can be very demanding. They want attention. They want companionship and a little chit chat now and then. They want love. They want good food. They want an excellent libation whenever they are thirsty. They want a nice place to live and a comfortable bed to rest upon. They want to be free to do as they will, whenever the fancy strikes them. And, if they are denied any of the foregoing, they can be quite spiteful. They may decide to trash the house, waste money or destroy a marriage.
By a strange coincidence, pets are also demanding. They want attention. They want companionship and a little chit chat now and then. They want love. They want good food. They want an excellent libation whenever they are thirsty. They want a nice place to live and a comfortable bed to rest upon. They want to be free to do as they will, whenever the fancy strikes them. And, if they are denied any of the foregoing, they can be quite spiteful. They may decide to trash the house, waste money (by becoming more finicky when it comes to food or other things) or destroy a marriage.
Devoted pet owners spend more on their pets for fancy a.k.a. expensive pet foods. Also, since caring pet owners seem to take their little darlings to the veterinarian for frequent regular and emergency visits, the demand for veterinarians is increasing. In fact, there are almost as many veterinarians as there are people doctors. Also, veterinarians provide such great tender loving care to their patients that some people doctors could take a few lessons from them. After all, don’t you want to be stroked and handled with care instead of with combat boots?
Now we come to the heretofore ignored component. Long time pet owners and their pets have something in common with couples who have been married for 50, 60 or more years. They end up looking alike. Or, could it be that the resemblance was there from the start and over time the similarities in appearance became more pronounced?
Could there be a nefarious plot to create pets to look like their humans? But who would do such a thing? Certainly scientists would not waste their highfalutin and precious time on critters? Oh, wait! They did that already! They cloned dogs for a highfalutin price.
If you still doubt that propinquity breeds resemblance, just look at the milestone anniversary announcements in your local newspaper, as in 50th, 60th and longer.
With very few exceptions, the couples not only look cross, grumpy and/or totally ticked off, but they also look alike. The primary exception being that the women tend to have more hair than the men. If would be an interesting experiment if they put on matching wigs for their anniversary portraits and readers could guess which one is the man and which is the woman.
So whether by grand design or propinquity, it seems to be a foregone conclusion. If you have a long term relationship with your beloved pet or you and your spouse have been together for 50 or more years, you will end up with similar dispositions and looking alike.
Therefore, we can only conclude that it might be a good idea to choose your pets and your spouses with an eye on the mirror as well as the future.
Elizabeth is a freelance writer and author. Check out her novel “The Dionysus Connection” on Amazon or ask your bookstore to order it for you. Visit her website, www.elizabethcowan.com.
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