The rich colours of a tropical fish tank are a tonic on cold wet autumn days. As I move about the kitchen cooking supper, and it’s dark outside, I love to look across at the technicolour world of the bio-orb, its brilliantly coloured inhabitants gliding between the fronds of delicate weed, small fry darting between the adults, and slow moving snails, all aerated by a pleasing stream of bubbles.

Taking my dog to the Botley Road Pets at Home store, to have a vet check-up at the back of the shop, I noticed how many families were walking between the aisles, enjoying the tanks of tropical fish, of snakes – was that really a python? – and lizards, while toddlers bent forward excitedly to examine the fluffy rabbits, or watch the hamsters running on their wheels, or gerbils jump and spring around their cages, the litter fresh and their bedding inviting.

Waiting for the vet was a lady with a small puppy, a couple with a black-and-white cat in a cat basket, and a couple of dogs, sitting quietly with their owners.

An emergency had occurred and the vet was running late. I didn’t hear one complaint. Everyone appreciated how important that animal was to its owner.

I heard a lecture once which – unlike many others – I will never forget. It was to prospective medical students, and it was given by a children’s nurse who specialised in long-term and frequently terminal care of children.

She described how the ward she worked on was different from others in the hospital. It allowed pets.

There were dogs and guinea pigs, rabbits and kittens. I don’t know if they were all resident, or brought it at regular intervals from outside. They were a normalising factor for the child patients, who were now living in an alien, sometimes disconcerting clinical setting.

She said many fascinating and insightful things, but one has always remained with me: “Everyone needs something smaller and weaker than themselves to care for.”

Whether children are in an unfamiliar environment like hospital, or the comforting surroundings of home, this, to my mind, remains true.

The delight on the faces of the visitors to the Botley Road pet emporium was evident for all to see.

So too, is the evident pleasure the water world of The Goldfish Bowl in Magdalen Road evokes. Its numerous aquariums provide a superb opportunity to see many kinds of aquatic life – both fresh and salt water. The staff are welcoming and keen enthusiasts of fish-keeping of every kind.

A friend told me how her regular visit with a class of reluctant learners is eased by the staff’s kindness and consideration.

Walking back along St Clements, I saw a man sitting on the ground. The smell of urine about him was strong; his clothes crumpled and soiled. His eyes were closed. Sitting beside him, her eyes never leaving his face was his dog. He rested his hand on her back.

She loved him, at least, and that, I consider was his greatest comfort – and had been for some time. He too could show kindness to her which those passing by a little faster might not have looked for – let alone believed.

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