for the love of living
They’re the ones who share our quieter moments, breathing life into our homes with the comfort of a heartbeat or the wag of a tail.
We live in a fast-paced, connected, attention-demanding world. We spend hours each day gazing at the slabs of glass kept in our pockets, constantly being asked to look at this, “like� that, and share it all with an ever-growing list of digital friends. Ironically, as social media nudges us to connect with more people, our closest relationships are still with the ones that are right under our noses.
Our pets and hobbies enrich our everyday lives. We nurture them, care for them, and watch them grow. In turn they do the same for us. When life gets hectic, they remind us to slow down. They fill in our blanks. Whether furry, feathered, leafy, or even virtual, these are the beings that make it easier for us to simply be.
The possum protector BEN N.
TECH LEAD & MARSUPIAL MINDER
For the past six months, I’ve been nursing a baby ringtail possum back to health. I found him, injured and malnourished, on my driveway and knew that I had to help. In the beginning, Cheezel—so named for his curly tail—was totally dependent. He needed bottle feeding every few hours with a specialised milk substitute. I initially kept him warm by keeping him in a sock mock-pouch while I was building his more permanent heated wooden box.
I’ve watched him grow, from being so fragile and vulnerable to a much more confident little guy. He’ll come out of his box to cuddle, scurrying up around my neck and nuzzling into my hair. He makes little clicking noises when I feed him, and I think that’s his way of purring. He’s learnt to climb, and I know that one day soon he’ll be ready to take on the big wild world on his own.
BE A HERO Wildlife carers are specially trained to rehabilitate injured or orphaned native animals to a state where they can be released into the wild with a high likelihood of survival. Their top tip? To approach with caution. Shock is the leading cause of death among rescued wildlife.
Therapeutic ties MAT Y. DEVELOPER & CANINE COMPANION
BE A COMPANION We initially adopted Sandy, our 12-year-old Labrador retriever, as an Emotional Support Animal for my little sister when she was diagnosed with autism at a young age. This cross breed is popular as a companion animal because it combines the sensitivity of a Labrador with the tolerance of a golden retriever.
Dogs seem to have an innate ability to understand human emotions, and soothe us when we get upset, all without so much as a word of communication. It’s all in the small gestures of affection and support. Sometimes it’s comforting to just be next to someone, without the pressure of conversation. There are no awkward pauses waiting to be filled with mindless small talk.
A number of studies have suggested significant beneficial outcomes from children with autism interacting with pets on a regular basis. Even a short amount of play can spur immediate social skill improvement, including the child introducing themselves, responding to questions, and asking for information. Interaction with others is so often a barrier for children with autism, so a nonjudgemental companion can help boost confidence, assertiveness and independence.
BE GREENER Green is inherently a restorative hue. Colour psychology touts it as evoking sensations of balance, due to its central spot on the colour spectrum. Research also suggests that this colour is more likely to spark creativity, which is perhaps why we so often find inspiration in nature.
Colour me chlorophyll Kesrini CLIENT LEADER & INDOOR BOTANIST
After growing up with a succession of pets—two dogs, a cat, fish and even a turtle—I decided to centre my own living arrangements around much less demanding creatures: succulents. When I walk in the door, I like to be greeted by little clusters of green goodness dotted around the apartment. The human eye can detect green better than any other colour, meaning that we are able to see hundreds of shades, from moss to mint. It’s this intrinsic link to nature—grass, herbs, trees—that contributes to green making us feel good. Several studies have focused on the positive impact nature has
on the human condition, finding that going for a walk in the park, having indoor plants, or even looking at a landscape poster could all produce similar psychological benefits including reducing stress and improving concentration. My succulents provide opportunities for me to enjoy moments of quiet reflection. From snipping off sections and carefully laying them out to dry, to taking Saturday morning pottery classes to create homes for my new shoots.
playdate mates
Jason PRODUCT MANAGER & CHILD WRANGLER
BE CHILDISH Studies show that children in pet-owning households tend to develop stronger social skills, have higher self-esteem, and become more physically active, while families with pets also report higher family engagement and quality together time.
My wife Kate and I brought Willow into the family as a sort-of sibling for our then six-month-old daughter, Elliot. Having both grown up with dogs, we saw it as an essential rite of passage to have that pet presence in the household. While we may have underestimated the combined challenges of raising a puppy and toddler together, the philosophy worked—Elliot and Willow are totally inseparable.
Willow might look like a beast, but she’s a gentle giant. Her demeanour remains placid even when she has her fur pulled, or is body slammed by her ever-enthusiastic micro-bestie. I think that it’s been a mutually beneficial relationship for them both, with Willow receiving endless attention and the odd snack from the table, while Elliot has developed a curious spirit when approaching new people and new things.
We made the move from Sydney to Adelaide to embrace a more laid back family lifestyle, and adopting Willow was an essential part of that shift. Here, we have the room to grow as a family, embracing beach-side Sunday morning strolls and local playground outings.
Cez CREATIVE DIRECTOR & BESPOKE BACKYARD BUILDER
a pocket of paradise An Australian backyard is the backdrop to so many of our collective memories—playing soccer, hosting barbecues on summer nights, and the simple pleasures of pottering around in the garden. Wanting to create the perfect family hangout zone, I’ve made it my mission to turn our bare yard into a mini oasis.
So far I’ve built a pool from scratch and laid down the lawn, which I routinely mow and manicure. The space is framed with a few ornamental trees for shade in summer, and we’ll add more plants and even some fruit trees over time. As I watch it grow and unfold, I know that moving away from the city was the right choice. We wanted to embrace a tree change, particularly the open spaces and neighbourly atmosphere which is only found in the suburbs. Our sheltered cul-desac is the perfect spot to do so.
BE CHILLED OUT Kids these days spend half the amount of time playing outside as their parents did. Psychologists agree that outdoor creative play stimulates young minds in unique ways compared to online or digital learning. Bring back the humble backyard!
BE RESPONSIBLE Pets inevitably teach kids the importance of responsibility and commitment from a young age. In between feeding, exercise, affection and of course toilet training, 26% of Australian households which own a small mammal pet, such as a rabbit or a guinea pig, state that education and encouraging a sense of responsibility was the primary reason for adoption.
Jenni STUDIO MANAGER & BUNNY MUMMY
at the helm of the hUtch Knowing that experiential learning is more resounding than any lecture, we welcomed three dwarf lop rabbits into our home to teach our two kids about responsibility. I was well aware that we needed introductory-level pets. Dogs can be incredibly dependent on their owners, craving constant emotional and physical stimulation.
While kids might promise to walk them every day and pick up after them, these jobs too often fall on the shoulders of the parents after a month or two. Bunnies were right up our alley, because they need little more nurturing than daily food and water. Once they upgraded from indoors to roaming the yard, they became largely independent. The kids are free to play with them as often or as little as they like, and so they can nurture that affectionate side without the pressure and time commitment.
SHARON DEVELOPER & PETTING PROPONENT
Creature teachings My two-year-old son, Kai, loves nothing more than a trip to the zoo. Having a chance to engage with animals is so important during early development, and without pets at home, this is our way of introducing him to the sights, sounds and sensations of animal interaction. More than just a family outing, it’s an immersive educational experience. He is most entranced by the petting zoo, where he can reach out and touch goats, llamas and quokkas. I think that it’s an interesting space, where there are no barriers between animals and people, to teach kids about how all forms of life can coexist.
My husband and I would often go on dates to the zoo, but visiting with a child is a totally separate experience. Instead of a leisurely stroll, it’s Kai dragging us from enclosure to enclosure, determined to spend time with all of his favourite animals. Seeing the fascination on his face is our motivation.
BE ENLIGHTENED Being around animals from a young age offers a unique insight into the world around us. Specifically, it affords an innate empathy for others and strengthens children’s Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ), a concept gaining traction as challenging restrictive views of the less adaptive IQ.
BE DARING Adrenaline is a crucial part of the sympathetic nervous system, or our ingrained fight or ight response to fear. When our body thinks it’s in a life or death situation, all of our senses become heightened to give us the best chance of survival.
ZENO DEVELOPER & CLIFFHANGING CONVERT
Danger zone I see rock climbing as the perfect antidote to monotony. The rush of blood to the wrists and legs can help to reverse the effects of long-term sitting. The rush of blood to the head is motivation in itself. Climbing feels like high intensity cardio—your muscles are flooded with lactic acid, struggling to lift your entire body weight vertically upward. But as well as the physical strain, it’s very much a mental challenge. Each wall is a commitment, and you have to find ways to keep going when you think you’ve reached your limit.
After a few climbs, you begin to realise that the initial crippling fear you felt is an illusion. Provided there’s a trained climber holding your rope, you’ve always got a fall back if Plan A goes awry. Knowing that you have the ability to overcome social conditioning is a powerful feeling. That’s not to say that climbing encourages recklessness—in fact, it’s quite the opposite. In order to reach the top, you have to take a series of risks, constantly weighing up the options to calculate your next best move. You very quickly learn what you can and can’t come back from.
Moments of madness Brendan S. DATA ANALYST & DEVOTEE OF DISARRAY
Adopting Shadow, a five-week-old puppy, has introduced an element of chaotic comedy into our household. She has brought a youthful energy to the family, rekindling that spark in Edward, her seven-year-old schnauzer brother. Now we have to leave the back door open, because they chase each other at lightning speed and the little doggy door doesn’t stand a chance.
We can all benefit from a little puppy-like playfulness. The working week is so structured around routine, and between my nine to five and my partner Sarah’s shift work roster, it’s easy for us to become creatures of habit. I think that loosening those strings when we come home is a key way to distinguish work and play. And it’s often in moments of familiarity when spontaneity creeps in. Sarah and I will be doing the dishes, when all of a sudden Shadow will trip over herself, or do something stupid, causing us to crack up laughing. Animals aren’t bound by social pressures, stereotypes or expectations, so they have a natural tendency to goof around. They keep life interesting.
BE SPONTANEOUS A little shake-up can go a long way, said to benefit our ability to adapt to new situations, form closer ties, think creatively, and reverse some of the pressure we place upon ourselves.
The strays are here to stay CHARLOTTE JUNIOR DIGITAL DELIVERY COORDINATOR & SAVIOUR OF UNFOUND FELINES
It’s common knowledge that cats can’t be coddled. They come to us of their own accord, offering their affection if and when it suits them. This is especially true of my feline family, made up of my own three pets, plus three who have adopted me as their secondary owner. Ollie and Osama were picked up from shelters, whereas Muffin was taken in after being abandoned by her previous owners. Hissy, Victor and White Cat are all neighbourhood nomads who come and go as they please. I like the idea that I can provide a loving home for all of them, no matter where they’ve come from or what kind of life they have had.
Taking in strays is a particularly important issue to me. Unlike feral cats, these animals have become dependent on owners to survive, but have either been abandoned or become lost. What’s more, due to people presuming that they’re just wandering, stray cats are rarely returned to their rightful owners. Encountering an unsupervised dog on the street might be cause for concern, but cats don’t receive the same concern.
BE CATTY According to the RSPCA’s most recent annual report, 15% of cat owners find their pets from the streets, a statistic significantly higher than the 13% who buy from breeders, or the 10% from pet shops. This figure represents some progress towards reducing the tens of thousands of cats which are euthanised every year due to shelters reaching capacity.
Small plot,
big plans
BReNDAN D. MOBILE DEVELOPER & URBAN AGRICULTURALIST
Growing up on a farm has been central to my understanding of the world. I think it instilled in me a deeper connection to the earth and where our food comes from, as well as all the living things that are essential to the broader ecosystem. My wife and I have just recently bought a place in the city, and it’s a fundamentally different perspective towards living. You know that space is a commodity when it’s measured by the square metre instead of the square acre.
BE RESOURCEFUL The average Australian backyard has halved in the last 30 years, due to increasing urban density placing greater demand on suburban housing. Our great Aussie dream may be downsizing, but with it comes a reconsideration of how we interact with and make use of our available space. Trellises, vertical gardens, raised beds, and stacked pots prove that you don’t need an acre to grow some goodies.
One thing I’ve noticed through having a smaller space is that I’ve developed a closeness to each individual living thing. It’s almost heartbreaking now when I have to cull my cauliflowers, and I was recently amazed when I caught a cabbage moth in the process of laying eggs. I take immense pleasure in the tiniest hints of life. This fascination for growing, and the understanding of how elements interact, are viewpoints that I have passed on to my daughter. I teach her lessons that you don’t necessarily learn in the city, like how she shouldn’t be afraid to get her hands dirty, and how to tell the difference between dangerous and harmless creepy crawlies. She’s probably the only kid that likes vegetables, because she knows where they come from.
Live for others TIMOTHY DESIGNER & DETERMINED DO-GOODER
Our two pets could not be more different. Shirley, our one-year-old standard poodle, prefers us to be around 24 hours a day, whereas our adopted stray Manx, Peppa, will only approach us under sufferance. Yet, caring for both animals is equally self-sacrificing. We can’t leave the house without Shirley whimpering, and she’ll happily shadow us as we go about our daily household tasks.
Peppa was an unexpected addition to our family, after the kids fed her some tuna and she never left our backyard. Though pets’ dependence on us may manifest in different ways, their need for nurturing helps remind us of what we have, and to cherish the simple pleasures of looking after others.
BE SELFLESS Auguste Comte first coined the term ‘altruist’, arguing that as humans we are born with a series of obligations to others, which only grow during our infant and childhood years. Our adult life should therefore be focused on paying back that good done to us by others.
Life in the slow lane KAREN GENERAL MANAGER & GREYHOUND GUARDIAN
After a brief stint as a greyhound racer, Ginger retired from her on-track antics. As it happened, she wasn’t really interested in faux rabbit. We found Ginger through a specialised adoption program which endeavours to tee up deserving ex-racers with luxury ‘retirement homes’. Just like any retiree, Ginger takes her sweet time to do anything. Her days are filled with naps in any of her six beds, interrupted by the odd two minute ‘zoomie’ up and down the side of the house. She swans around in her hand-knitted, rainbow-coloured turtle necks, which serve the dual purposes of keeping her warm and reminding the rest of us she’s the queen of glamour.
BE A CHANGE OF PACE It’s not just animals who enjoy the health benefits of retirement living. Adopting a pet has been shown to dramatically reduce stress, anxiety, and even blood pressure. From lazy strolls through the neighbourhood, to curling up with a cup of tea and a living foot stool, greyhounds can teach us a thing or two about the art of relaxation.
ANTHONY DESIGNER & SPORTS NUT
Finding a ‘footy family’ Supporting a common team has the ability to unite people who would otherwise be complete strangers. You’ve got a whole different language and way of being when you’re at a game, or amongst fellow fans. In 2017, the Adelaide Football Club recorded an all time high membership tally of over 68,000, and you don’t have to know every one of those supporters personally to feel the power of that connection. Being a fan really strengthens existing relationships too. I don’t hit the bars on the weekends like I used to, so this is a way of filling that social void.
Four or so mates and I have created our own little footy social club. We’ll go out for a few beers and then on to the match, in our favourite spot against the wall on the western side. Being a member, you can invite people in with spare tickets, and introduce them to the ritual of it all. More than a shared interest, it’s a shared purpose. There’s a driving sense of goodwill, that your presence and support is helping the team succeed. Players will come and go, teams will transform, but being a fan is a lifelong commitment.
BE PART OF A CLAN Experts concur that sports fandom is about so much more than just the excitement of the game. Studies show that die-hard sports fans have higher self-esteem and lower rates of depression, alienation and loneliness.
aloof ain’t all bad NICK DESIGNER & DEFENDER OF DISTANCE
They say pets can be like their owners, and Neko and I are two peas in a pod. We first chose her from a shelter because she was relaxed to the point of being nonchalant. She was grateful for a scratch behind the ear, but couldn’t care less if we continued walking. My partner and I say that she’s more like a third roommate than a pet; she lives her life and we live ours, but enjoy each other’s mutual company.
We keep buying her new toys, or letting her outside when we’re home to explore the garden, but she’s never particularly interested. She’s just happy to watch the world go by. Some owners crave the cuddles, but for us, Neko’s independence fits around our busy lives. She gives us the opportunity to commit to something together as a couple, without the full blown whirlwind of kids. It’s a nice little reality check to have someone who relies on you, but does so at a distance.
BE CASUAL According to research from the University of South Australia, cats’ personalities may be more human than first thought. The ‘big five’ feline personality traits are eerily akin to those of the five factor model first put forward by Fiske in 1949, and include skittishness, outgoingness, dominance, spontaneity and friendliness.
HANNAH CONTENT PRODUCER & PERFECTLY IMPERFECT
fabulously flawed In a world so obsessed with symmetrical beauty, a little uniqueness can bring about character, charm and personality, especially when it comes to pets. Adah and Arne, our two Rhodesian ridgebacks, each have their own quirks. Adah was born without the breed’s distinctive ridge along her spine, whereas Arne has a kinky tail. Despite their physical imperfections (or indeed, because of them), they are perfect to us.
Rhodesian ridgebacks are the 19th most popular registered breed in Australia, according to the RSPCA. This popularity means that there’s a heightened demand for breeding. Sadly, because of strict adherence to ‘breed standards’—guidelines which articulate what dogs should and shouldn’t look like—dogs like Adah and Arne were routinely culled from litters. We wanted to give these gentle animals the loving home they deserved. Everyone can relate to having flaws. Rather than seeing these imperfections as a negative, we should embrace the features that make us unique.
BE IMPERFECT Every year in June, California plays host to the annual ‘Ugliest Dog Contest’, which celebrates dogs’ imperfections in all their glory. This year’s winner was Martha, a three-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff.
Nurturing nativeS OLIVER DEVELOPER & ADMIRER OF THE AUTHENTIC
When we first moved into our house, the garden was overrun with introduced species. Not one to care for high maintenance plants, I culled the clutter and left the natives to grow in peace. It’s important to me to create a little slice of nature as it is meant to be. There are currently 32 entries on the Weeds of National Significance list—introduced plants which pose a serious threat to Australian ecosystems, due to their invasiveness, potential to spread, and environmental, social and economic impacts.
By interfering with nature, we can risk doing more harm than good. With natives, the biggest mistake that people can make is to overwater, thereby decreasing the plants’ ability to cope with stress and encouraging the growth of weeds in damp areas. My strategy is to provide a helping hand every now and then, but primarily let nature take its course. Since being freed from the introduced plants, the garden has begun to attract native wildlife. Taking care of the garden has in turn provided sustenance for honeyeaters, wattlebirds, willie wagtails, spotted doves and magpie larks.
BE NATIVE It’s estimated that Australia has over 20,000 species of native ora; however, since European settlement, 61 plant species have become extinct and a further 1,239 species are considered threatened.
a living inheritance BE TRADITIONAL The post-WWII Italian mass migration dramatically shaped Australia’s culture of food. Coming from agricultural backgrounds where land was more often leased than owned, the potential of land ownership in Australia helped growing pastimes to thrive. In 2011, the country was home to over 900,000 people who identified as Italian Australians.
ANDREW CLIENT SERVICES DIRECTOR & PROUD ITALIAN AUSSIE
There is a saying in Italy, ‘a tavola non si invecchia’, which translates to ‘at the dinner table, you do not age’. Through food, family and friends of all ages can come together in a shared experience.
When my nonna passed away, I took over her garden, and a link to my Italian heritage along with it. She and my grandfather had moved to Australia from Italy 50-odd years ago, and brought with them a love of growing their own food. They built greenhouses to cultivate fresh produce for the neighbourhood, had a number of citrus fruit trees, and maintained an impressive vegetable and herb garden.
From the garden sprouted a number of other produce-based Italian traditions, including making our own wine and tomato sauce. Together, these processes reinforced a philosophy of sustainable living, and how bought things will never taste as good as something you grow or make yourself.
BE OPEN Research conducted in 1995 found that couples who were attached to their dogs to the point of confiding in them reported greater wellbeing. Talking to dogs, in addition to one’s spouse, was correlated with increased life satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and physical and emotional health.
a social affair Milton, our lovable Labrador, is the social butterfly in our family. Labradors are known for their easygoing temperament around humans and other animals alike, and in fact they’re widely regarded as the second friendliest dog breed, losing only to golden retrievers. When we go to the dog park, we’re always greeted by a pack of drooling dog-mates, and he even gets on well with our chickens.
DAMIEN PRINCIPAL & SOCIAL DISRUPTOR
My wife made Milton an Instagram account last year. It consists of where he goes on his walks, what he eats, and snaps of him snoozing. While it started off as a bit of a joke, it has encouraged us to document our memories with him. His followers are the kids’ friends (who will tackle him with a hug when they come to visit) and other dog personalities from around the globe.
I love that Milton’s always keen to hang out with you. When I get home from work, the kids have often had their own long day, so Milton’s energy is such a contrast. After a family dinner, they will retreat to their rooms, whereas Milton’s quite chuffed to get us to himself.
Groupbased gaming JACK MOBILE DEVELOPER & CONSTRUCTOR OF CUSTOM COMPUTERS
I first started making computers with mates in high school. We gravitated toward each other because of our mutual love of gaming, so making our own machines seemed a very natural progression. These started off really basic, because we had no money, but as we all got part-time jobs, we gradually started buying better parts, and pushing ourselves further. As well as sharing a common interest in the building side of things, the fruits of our labour served to reinforce the social aspect. Gaming can be commonly seen as an isolated activity, carried out in dark basements accompanied by Mountain Dew and Doritos. In reality, it’s one of the more social online hobbies. I still game with the same friend who built computers with me through university. It’s an interest that has kept us together, when so many people drift apart.
BE TOGETHER The media has given gaming a bad rap thanks to its eager reporting on gaming addiction and the negative impacts of violent games. In reality, group-based gaming has been associated with creative, social and emotional benefits, specifically reducing isolation and stress, as well as establishing and strengthening new and existing relationships.
BE supportive Dogs have been lauded for the therapeutic, calming presence they can bring to children, the elderly, and those suffering a range of illnesses and conditions. In particular, canine companions have been associated with health benefits such as increased socialising, improved motivation and lower blood pressure.
Chihuahua companion DANUTA RECEPTIONIST & PET ACCESSORISER
Our Chihuahua, Roxy, has helped my daughter navigate her grief, and complete our family unit. Annelise was only four years old when her father died and she stopped talking for a month. It wasn’t until several years later when we petsat for friends that her trauma resurfaced at the prospect of having the animal taken from her. It was a no-brainer for me to search for a chihuahua that would help her heal.
Annelise is now in her teenage years—when a single parent and only-child dynamic can sometimes get the better of us, but Roxy always breaks the ice. The two are inseparable, and Annelise carries Roxy wherever we go—be it on holiday, visiting friends or even when going shopping. Roxy is very well known in Rundle Mall!
faithful from afar
BEN W. DEVELOPER & FELINE FAN
BE LOYAL Cats’ loyalty is fickle. Often described as semi-domestic, with cats it’s an endless game of push and pull, nurturing and not. Shortly after rescuing Angus, our British short hair, from an animal shelter, we lost him for almost a month. He returned to us, seemingly unfazed, having enjoyed an extended suburban vacation. Since that initial scare, we’ve learned to let him wander as much as he likes, knowing he’ll come back of his own accord. On the other hand, when he craves attention, he’ll let you know about it. We joke that he was born in the wrong species, because he’ll be in your face asking for a pat.
When looking at DNA differences between domesticated and wild cats, researchers found that they diverge in the area of docility, responsible for reward-seeking behaviours and their response to fear. They hypothesised that this split appeared around 9,000 years ago, when humans first focused on agricultural development. Drawn to teeming rodent populations brought about by the grain harvest, cats began interacting with humans, who rewarded their efforts with scraps of food. Animals which exhibited greater loyalty and willingness to interact with humans thrived and passed that trait on to their offspring, shaping the domestic cat population as we know it.
healing hugs
KATE DEVELOPER & PUP CUDDLER
Charlie, our six-year-old King Charles spaniel, is a teddy bear with a pulse. He’s known around our suburb as the neighbourhood cuddler, always there to lend a paw to someone in need. They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and it seems like the relationship may indeed go both ways. Studies conducted on dogs show that they, like their owners, release oxytocin (the love hormone) when they cuddle. Oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins are all inversely related to depression, and are all stimulated through hugging!
My housemate’s parents lost their blue heeler last year. Not having a dog around all the time has impacted the family heavily, so Charlie often pays a visit for lunch and a midmorning pat. As well as combating sadness, patting a pet can also reduce levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), lower heart rate, and encourage deeper breathing. Some say that it’s a form of meditation.
BE CUDDLY Psychotherapist Virginia Satir famously quoted, ‘we need four hugs a day for survival, we need eight hugs a day for maintenance, and we need 12 hugs a day for growth’.
a restful slumber BEN F. MOBILE DEVELOPER & PLANTER OF PEACE
Peace lilies are often thought to bring purity to the home. They have come to be associated with innocence, due in part to their white colour being internationally understood to represent ceasefire. Furthermore, Feng Shui favours the peace lily for bringing a sense of balance and Yin energy to a space. Each room is thought to require reference to each of the natural elements: air, water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Air can be a tricky one, but due to its air filtration benefits, a peace lily perfectly satisfies this category.
Chinese disciplines aside, my bedroom is my me-place, where I can unwind after the working week and practice self-care. It’s a soothing space which doesn’t require a lot of upkeep, so that I have maximum downtime. Peace lilies are one of the most low maintenance indoor plants, and so are common among non green-thumbs. In theory, all you have to do is provide a little sunlight and water them every now and then, and you should be in the clear.
BE PEACEFUL According to NASA, peace lilies are the top performing indoor plant when it comes to cleansing the air of impurities and neutralising common pollutants such as formaldehyde, with one plant per 100 square feet recommended for ideal breathing conditions.
pet pt JONATHAN DEVELOPER & FITNESS FANATIC
My three dogs, Dutch, Spike and Turtle, are better at motivating me to exercise regularly than any personal trainer. Unlike the chore of visiting the gym, I see our morning routine as a leisurely outing. It’s as enjoyable for me to watch them and take in the crisp morning air as it is for them to frolic in the waves. At 5am, the four of us will head out along the path by the beach. It’s still dark at that time, so no one else is really around. I’ll let them off the
lead, and watch as they discover new smells and questionable breakfast choices. By the time I get ready for work, I’ve already hit 5,000 steps without realising it. As well as those sunrise trips, we’ll also go to the dog park in the afternoons, or just walk around the neighbourhood. Where fitness junkies might have ‘gym buddies’, I’ve found ‘dog-friends’. It’s incredible how easy it is to strike up a conversation when your dogs are playing together.
BE ACTIVE Researchers have found that dog owners walk their pets twice a day, getting approximately eight hours of exercise per week. It’s a stark comparison to gym-goers, who manage just under an hour and a half over the same period.
BE MATERNAL MRI scans suggest that women’s ‘maternal instincts’ are activated when looking at images of their pet. MRI scans demonstrated that parts of the brain related to emotion, reward, visual processing and social interaction received more oxygen when showed images of own pets or children, compared to images of others’ pets or children.
blue-eyed babies ELLEN
RESOURCE PLANNER & FUTURE CRAZY CAT LADY
My two ragdolls, Charlie and Ruby, are my fur kids. And as a pet mum, I’ve gone through the ups and downs of raising these two rascals—from the newborn years when Charlie would cry through the night, to the first days of ‘school’, when we taught them to fetch. And it seems that pet parenting is trending. In 2015, ‘fur baby’ was added to the official lexicon of the Oxford English Dictionary. The next year, a survey by Animal Medicines Australia found that 64% of people (up 5% from 2013) regard their pets as members of the family.
Littermate kittens develop immediate bonds. Straight out of the womb, they will sleep on one another, groom one another and even play fight. It’s a social relationship that strengthens into adulthood. This is why breeders and adoption centres prefer to adopt out siblings in pairs. When we’re at work or running errands, it’s nice to know that Charlie and Ruby keep each other company.
MELISSA BUSINESS ANALYST & FAMILY MASTERCHEF
Spreading the love (of food) Food is meant to be shared. From hunter gatherer times, and throughout humanity’s history of living within communities, it has always made sense to pool resources and skills so that everyone can enjoy a feed. But these days, the accessibility of a dinner-for-one, through UberEats and the like, is changing the way we eat. Preparing food is an activity that’s about so much more than just necessity. For me, it brings me closer to my two boys. Instead of going out and kicking the footy, we’ll cook.
My favourite style of food is Middle Eastern-inspired share platters. There’s something about digging in with your hands to share a plate of simple, good food. It’s an added sensory experience that you won’t get with a bowl of pasta or rice. I especially love Jamie Oliver’s approach to food—not just his lavish feast-like recipes, but also his insistence on food education from a young age. Cooking together helps to reinforce important messages about healthy eating, and specifically knowing what ingredients go into the food we eat.
BE COMMUNAL Sharing food can have a positive lifelong impact, revealed in the form of altruistic behaviours. One study found that people who share meals more frequently as a family are more likely to give directions to strangers, offer up their seats on public transport, or volunteer. Charlotte De Backer, the lead researcher, sums it up well: ‘sharing food primes people to think about fairness (do I get as much as everyone else at the table?), authority (who is being served first?), and greed (sometimes I cannot take as much as I would personally want).’
BE PROTECTED According to the Chinese Zodiac, the sign of the Sheep is associated with protection. People born under this sign may take some time to learn to trust people, but once they do, it’s a lifelong bond.
Woolly warrior SCOTT MOBILE DEVELOPER & OVINE OWNER
Where suburban homes have a family dog, our four-acre block in the Adelaide Hills had sheep. I find it funny that people tend to think of sheep as meek animals in need of protection, because my experiences with Timmy, the alpha male of our property, were somewhat different. Timmy was prone to charging at random if he didn’t like the way you looked at him. A lazy stroll around the yard could turn sour at any moment, so I soon learned to carry
a makeshift shield with me. I even made a cubby house out of old timber pallets, and would use it as a retreat if I found myself stranded and shieldless. His aggression could also be quite helpful, because he was our guard sheep. We had olive trees growing up the back of the property, and every now and then we’d get some optimistic olive pickers hopping over our fence. Like clockwork, we would hear shocked cries as they encountered the menace of Timmy.
having downtime down pat
MARK DIGITAL STRATEGIST & BUSY DOING NOTHING
Generally speaking, humans aren’t very good at doing nothing. We’re so determined to achieve the mythical ‘work-life balance’ that we fill every spare moment outside of the office. If we’re not out to dinner, attending social events, practicing our hobbies or exercising, we’re fast asleep. By contrast, dogs are exceptional at doing nothing. They live in the present, and as an owner, you have to live there too. When you’ve got your eyes glued to a screen, it’s easy to miss out on the opportunity to take in the ever-changing world around us. Pets have the ability to pull us out of those distractions, and help us remember how to live.
What I’ve learned from our two dogs, Rusty and Molly, is that there is extreme value in doing absolutely nothing. Not the kind of nothing where your brain semi-switches off while watching mindless TV, but the nothing where you sit outside, and listen to your Labrador snoring gently beside you. It’s a way to clear the headspace and recharge the batteries, in turn making us more productive during ‘uptime’.
BE NOTHING Mindfulness—the ability to concentrate our thoughts on the present moment—is a psychological concept rooted in cognitive and behavioural therapy. It has gained widespread recognition for its role in promoting general wellbeing, as well as combating depression, anxiety, and even drug addiction.
BE INDIVIDUAL Style, distinct from fashion, is our tendency to select existing pieces of clothing and combine them in a way that’s meaningful to us. Fashion may be in the clothes, but style is in the wearer.
À la française Curating a wardrobe is a very personal thing. The clothes that we put on our backs contribute so much to our identity, to how we act in certain situations, and to how we feel when we wear them. Moving to Australia from France was a major cultural shift. I use fashion as a way to maintain a connection to my homeland. French fashion is unlike anything else in the world, clearly distinguished by its classic, effortless appeal.
AMANDINE CLIENT SERVICES & COUTURE CONNOISSEUR
While some of my favourite brands, like Sézane, are becoming quite popular in Paris, here you won’t see anyone else in a similar outfit. I like the personal connection that you can give clothes by bringing them into your wardrobe. I think that the same dress can mean two entirely different things when worn by two different people. Fashion is more than an art form, because it can be worn and loved. It’s a way of bringing your personality out into everyday life. I couldn’t imagine wearing a white shirt to work every day of the week!
Rosyn DESIGNER & PETTING PRACTITIONER
escape artist Farm Barn in Hahndorf, a farmyardcome-wildlife park, is my place to escape from the world. Essentially, you pay a little money to go in, and buy some food to feed the animals. You can cuddle baby farmyard animals, as well as donkeys, ostriches and deer, and all the profits go toward their care. I think it’s part of our responsibility as humans to look after things that can’t look after themselves. Most of the animals at Farm Barn have been hand reared, but the business also acts as a rescue shelter for animals which have been orphaned, abandoned, injured or mistreated. For example, Sasha the camel was rescued from the circus.
Compassion is something that more people should learn to cherish. I love bringing friends to experience it, especially if they’re going through a bad time. You can’t leave the Farm Barn unhappy! I must mention my cat Betty, too. She’s full of sass and feared by most, but she can pull me out of any mood and loves me unconditionally.
BE EMPATHETIC Empathy isn’t just experienced by humans when looking after animals. Research performed in 1995 found that social species, such as chimpanzees, exhibited empathy across a range of circumstances.
JOHN DEVELOPER & CANINE CONVERSATIONALIST
A SWITCHED-ON SCHNAUZER Sophie is our three-year-old purebred miniature schnauzer, who has a brain that’s too big for her body. When we first picked her up from the breeder, we were told that she could be a handful—always one step ahead of you and a little too smart for her own good. We were attracted to her immediately.
The name Sophie originates from the Greek word ‘sophia’, meaning ‘wisdom’. Language is one of the key indicators of intelligence among humans, and Sophie is a little human in many ways.
Schnauzers are known as chatty dogs, with a large vocal repertoire spanning barks, yips and yowls. Sophie even warbles, which has been hypothesised as a way that dogs try to mimic human speech. When she sees and hears us talking to one another, she tries to join in.
BE ASTUTE The miniature schnauzer ranks 12th on the quintessential dog breed intelligence list, as defined by Stanley Coren, a Canadian professor of canine psychology in his book, ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’. Schnauzers require 5–15 repetitions to understand new commands, and obey a first command 85% of the time.
five-star foodie Oscar, our late Cavalier King Charles spaniel, had us wrapped around his little paw.
TEGAN CLIENT LEADER & CAVALIER CHEF
He was the fussiest eater I’d ever met. Oscar would turn his little nose up at even the most expensive gourmet dog food, and stare wistfully up at the table as we ate our dinner. Before long, I found myself donning an apron and heading to the kitchen just to appease him. I’ve never been much of a cook. I stick to simple recipes that I can quickly whip up when I get home. That said, when it came to cooking Oscar dinner, I would transform into a Michelin star chef. My 10 minutes in the kitchen would become half an hour, determined to get his homemade meatballs just right. Those tasks cease to be chores when you’re doing them for someone you love.
BE SPOILED Science suggests that when it comes to our pets, rational thinking goes out the window. While we appreciate that spoiled children can grow up to be self-centred and entitled, Australians don’t show the same concern for their pets. We readily open our wallets to the tune of $12 billion per year, up 30% in the last three years.
Releasing the reins Back in Pakistan, when we lived in a small country village, my brother bought two horses from a friend. With a fenceless paddock to call home, they weren’t limited in where they could roam. I remember when I used to ride them. I’d feel like I was in another world. There’s not a car or a highrise building in sight—only trees and grass and blue sky. It feels like you could be in any era throughout history. The horse and you are the only two souls in that moment, and all of your senses come alive—feeling its mane between your fingers, the air against your cheek, and the heartbeat of the horse. It’s an incredibly pure, intimate connection that’s unlike anything else.
SYED IT SUPPORT & EQUINE ENTHUSIAST
BE free The therapeutic use of horses can be dated back to 460 BC. Hippocrates’ writings on medicine connected horse riding—the ‘natural exercise’— to increased physical and mental wellbeing. He stated that ‘the saddle frees the mind of dark thoughts, giving rise to cheerful and bright ideas.’
DAVE SUPPORT & TERAFLOP TINKERER
WIRED TO BUILD Building computer hardware was a fascination that stemmed from childhood and my father’s influence. He was an electrician and wannabe programmer, so I was familiar with the tech language, and the concept of building things from scratch. When you build computers, you’re a perpetual student. There are so many schools of thought, online resources and expert opinions, that you just have to keep an open mind and figure out what works for you. What’s more, as you continue to build, your skill set advances, as does the available technology and your drive to create bigger and better things. It’s a never-ending cycle of learning and mastery.
For example, I built my biggest accomplishment—my gaming computer—over two years ago, but still tinker with it every now and then if I find a new part. Society has become so accustomed to a wasteful approach to technology. We buy the latest phone or laptop, use it for two years, and aren’t fazed by needing to buy a brand new one when it stops working. There’s such a sense of freedom in ongoing upgradability, knowing that you have the knowledge and the skills to customise a machine which grows with you.
BE A STUDENT In this day and age, computer hardware is advancing at an astronomical rate. Until recently, Moore’s Law, which noted that computer performance doubled every two years, was widely used to predict future advancement.
Ecologistics My yard is an ecosystem in itself, and home to all manner of living things including three veggie beds, seemingly infinite caterpillars, a worm farm, a tabby called Mawson and three brown chooks. Every element has its place and its purpose. The worms produce nutrient rich soil, which is in turn fed to the fruit trees. The chicken coop has been crafted specially so that it sits squarely on top of the veggie beds. I rotate it every few days, so that each patch gets plenty of fertiliser. The eggs and veggies from the garden are too much for my own consumption, so I often share them with neighbours and work colleagues. I don’t aim to be fully self-sufficient, but I am glad to see how something that I’ve made with my own two hands can dramatically reduce my reliance on supermarket chains.
BE SUSTAINABLE As a nation, Australia wastes four million tonnes of food every year, which ends up in landfill. That means spending extra money buying (often packaged) goods from supermarkets, only to contribute to a major environmental waste problem. Growing your own food encourages you to see the big picture, using only what you need and recycling scraps where possible.
matt F. DEVELOPER & ECO ENTHUSIAST
bOUND TO bOND alex DEVELOPER & BUNNY BUDDY
Just like humans who are influenced by both nature and nurture, animals can take behavioural cues from their environment. Specifically, they are known to better reflect their owners’ personality traits when they live in close proximity. Our rabbit, Kioko, was the perfect fit for our little home. We named her after the Japanese word meaning ‘happy child’ because of her selfcontented demeanour. After an initial teething period of chewed skirting boards and toileting surprises, she settled into a life indoors, free to roam the house as she pleased and bounding over to greet us when we came home from work.
Her quarters were initially a necessity, because we didn’t have much of a yard. However, it soon became our parental preference to keep her safe from outdoor threats like traffic, disease and other animals. Rabbits don’t need much physical exercise, so it turned out to be the perfect arrangement. She was timid initially, but I think that living indoors helped her to feel more at home, and ultimately brought her closer to us.
BE CLOSER Research conducted at the University of South Australia found that indoor animals are more likely to be friendly than those who live primarily outside.
BE GIVING Our pets give us so much in the way of affection, attention and endless support, so it’s only fair that we give something back. This Christmas, Fusion will be donating $1,000 to Animals Australia instead of buying each other gifts. We are making this small gesture to support their goal of building a kinder world for all creatures.
The heart that gives, gathers.