Anyone who shares their home with a pet knows there’s a special brand of anxiety that comes with being a pet parent. It’s not just about making sure they have enough food or that their water bowl is full. It’s about that tiny, stubborn voice in our head that pipes up the very moment we step out the door.
The Scene: Heading Out
Every time I leave home, a familiar script plays out in my head. Bags are slung over shoulders, keys are jangled, and just as the door is about to close, I turn one last time.
Me (in hushed, conspiratorial tones): “Chewy, you’ll be okay, right?”
Chewy, my ever-relaxed furry friend, barely looks up. He’s busy overseeing his imaginary kingdom, possibly plotting his next nap location or contemplating which toy earned the coveted ‘chew of the day’ award.
The Spiral Begins
Five minutes away from home, the checklist begins:
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Is the balcony door locked?
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Did I properly latch the main door?
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And—perhaps most importantly—is Chewy okay?
Cue frantic mental images: Chewy, stuck out on the balcony. Chewy trying to open the fridge. Chewy, suddenly capable of turning on the stove just to spite me.
Should I go back and check? That tiny, nagging voice is persuasive. “It’s just a quick detour. Peace of mind is worth a few extra minutes, right?”
The Enabler
This is about the time I stage a mini-intervention, with myself in both roles. Sometimes, if Partha is travelling and I’m on my own, I up the ante and call him.
Me: “*mind voice** Did I lock the main door when I left? Didnt see any movement on the camera?
Ya, am sure I did.. but should I turn around, go home and check just to reassure myself… What if the door is unlocked and he decides to run out? Should I call the security? Also, what can they do… Ugh
Does something I dont usually do. turns on the mic in the camera app ane calls out to Chewy..
Me (via the camera microphone): “Chewy? Chew-yyy? Can you hear me?”
Chewy: [A majestic, complete lack of response.]
I called Partha, and shared my paranoid with him
He ponders for a bit, then suggests I talk to Chewy through the camera
Told him I already did that but no movement still.
He then says “go ahead, get back home if you arent too far off and check… atleast we will be at peace”
I tell the cabbie to turn, change address in the app, and just as we wait at the traffic signal, I get a ting from the camera app.
I open the app and see the tail… but then he disappears around the corner..
I tell the cabbie we can get back to the original destination, and change address. My mind is going bonkers.. Should I go home or go ahead?
The traffic signal seems to get me, and takes a few minutes. I hear few more tings and then sigh in relief. Tell the cabbie to get going to the destination, and change the address back once more…
The last time such a thing happened, I turned around and got back home, only to realise the camera was not working, we had changed our wifi setting and not updated the same on the camera.
Worrying may just be part and parcel of the pet parent job description. But, at the end of the day, that worry is wrapped up in love. Our furry family members may never understand our little rituals of anxiety, but somehow, that’s okay. They’re too busy napping, after all. And as for me? I’ll probably go down this same route once again, next time i step out… lol… we are all inherent worriers…
Are you a fellow anxious pet parent? What’s your signature “Did I…?” routine? Share your stories—solidarity in numbers, right?
