lifestyle 13 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugly Pets: Does Every Companion Animal Need to Be Cute?
A walker in Uganda spots a couple with a pet that resembles a rat more than a dog, sparking debate on whether pets must be adorable to justify the care they demand. The observer argues that ugliness in pets amounts to environmental pollution, dismissing claims of inner sweetness. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/life/when-a-dog-looks-like-a-rat-must-every-pet-really-be-adorable--5388204
While enjoying a refreshing walk without the hassle of winter gear, I spotted a couple strolling with what they called their dog. At first glance, the creature on the leash looked more like a plump rat from a granary than a typical canine, walking on four legs but utterly unappealing.
I resisted snapping a photo to respect their privacy, but couldn’t shake the question: how did they choose such an intensely ugly animal? Pets aren’t like kids—you pick them, and in return for cleaning up messes, grooming, feeding expensively, and tolerating bad breath, they should at least look somewhat charming.
Animal enthusiasts might counter that it’s sweet and lovable, much like owners of snakes or spiders insisting their creepy pets are darlings. But ugly is ugly, the writer contends, and such pets poison the surroundings. Time to reject this kind of visual pollution!
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)