Pet Peeves

As a child, I never had a pet. Even though we longed for a dog to snuggle up to at night or a bird to chirp to us in the morning, it never happened. My parents did not want the responsibility, the inconvenience, and the added headache of caring for another individual in the house. I guess you could say it was a pet peeve of theirs.

As I grew older and let go of the resentment I held toward my parents, I acquired a fascination for animals and let go of the “no pet” rule. I no longer had to long for a pet – I was an adult and could take on the responsibility, the perceived inconvenience, and the temporary headache of training a puppy or building the vocabulary of a parakeet.

I guess you could say that pets have never been a pet peeve of mine. However, as time goes on, I’m growing an extensive list of pet peeves that have nothing to do with pets. In fact, my pet peeves primarily surround the land that animals used to roam, free from harm, free from pollution, and free from blinding lights and commercialized buildings.

My pet peeve is the lack of nature and the lack of beauty in society. My pet peeve surrounds the lack of effort that big business puts forth when designing buildings, parking lots, and strip mall centers. I have no problem with “big business” and no problem with industrialized cities. However, I just don’t understand why nature cannot be a part of it all.

For instance, the expense to add parking lots and concrete walkways is astronomical. It does nothing for curb appeal and eliminates existing nature that could be developed. Imagine if businesses invested more in landscaping, water fountains, colorful plants, and bird baths. Imagine the beauty and curb appeal that would accompany these efforts.

As a consumer, I look for the small efforts that ultimately produce more respect for the businesses I invest with. When I walk into an office and see a tiered indoor fountain or a wall fountain, I am impressed. When I pull up to a commercial business and see a bronze statue that has been installed and maintained, I am impressed.

Ironically, I don’t think that I am alone. People want to see natural beauty, not commercialized stone walkways and lifeless retaining walls. Adding a little color, a little life, and a little glamour goes a long way for everyone’s pocketbook.

Just as my parents did not want the hassle and the responsibility of caring for a pet, it seems that many business owners do not want the hassle and responsibility of caring for nature. How can we, as consumers, ensure that they want to take care of our needs as well?

Children and teens across the world will undoubtedly resent their parents for one reason or another, just as I did for missing out on the experience of having a childhood pet. However, businesses cannot risk customers resenting their lack of attention to the beauty of nature. If so, the end result may leave many CEOs peeved.