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What is so compelling about pets?
My daughter bugged constantly until we bought her a bunny. When we moved into our own house, my wife had to get a dog. Among my six closest neighbors, there are 9 dogs and 2 cats. Dogs have hair stylists, doctors, psychologists, special food, special sweaters and booties, and even perpetual care cemeteries. Why do people feel so strongly about supplying every need for so many animals when people are suffering all around them? What is so compelling about pets?
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October 17, 2009 02:47 PM
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I think for a lot of women a pet is also a substitute for the child she can't have, doesn't want yet, or that has already left the nest.
My mother-in-law turned to birds when her oldest (my husband) left home, at one point hand-raising parakeets and cockatiels. For awhile, her house was terrifying to enter because of all the bird cases (at one point she had 10 parakeets and 8 larger birds). But the birds replaced the compansionship and nurturing that she had with her child.
Personally, my cat provides comfort when I am ill, playtime when I am working too hard and,as so many people mentioned, a non-judgmental companion who doesn't care if my nails are done or the bed is made. She also splits her time equally between my husband and I, curling up with him on the couch after I go to bed. She shows her intelligence by making sure to wrap both of us equally around her dew claws.
In return for the love and affection she shows me, I think it is only fair that I feed her the best food I can buy and tend to her health needs.
Why do we do this when other humans are suffering? Because whether we like to admit it or not, generally most people have the opinion that when people are suffering long-term it's because they did or didn't do something themselves. For example, there is a woman in my community whom I have seen for several months now soliciting donations at the end of the month to pay her rent. She is a larger woman, probably not much older than I am, and the first time I saw her, I contributed to her because I thought something akin to "Wow, how embarrassing that must be to have to ask total strangers to pay your rent!" When I saw her in the same place a month later and two months later, my good will toward her faded.
I think that's the way most people feel about the less fortunate. Either they didn't work hard enough to get or keep a job, or they have an addiction or they choose to be where they are. It's not always true, but people have been burned so much that they become more callous. Chances are you've never had a dog or cat lie to you about being hungry and needing something to eat. My cat never spends her food money on beer and cigarettes.
My mother-in-law turned to birds when her oldest (my husband) left home, at one point hand-raising parakeets and cockatiels. For awhile, her house was terrifying to enter because of all the bird cases (at one point she had 10 parakeets and 8 larger birds). But the birds replaced the compansionship and nurturing that she had with her child.
Personally, my cat provides comfort when I am ill, playtime when I am working too hard and,as so many people mentioned, a non-judgmental companion who doesn't care if my nails are done or the bed is made. She also splits her time equally between my husband and I, curling up with him on the couch after I go to bed. She shows her intelligence by making sure to wrap both of us equally around her dew claws.
In return for the love and affection she shows me, I think it is only fair that I feed her the best food I can buy and tend to her health needs.
Why do we do this when other humans are suffering? Because whether we like to admit it or not, generally most people have the opinion that when people are suffering long-term it's because they did or didn't do something themselves. For example, there is a woman in my community whom I have seen for several months now soliciting donations at the end of the month to pay her rent. She is a larger woman, probably not much older than I am, and the first time I saw her, I contributed to her because I thought something akin to "Wow, how embarrassing that must be to have to ask total strangers to pay your rent!" When I saw her in the same place a month later and two months later, my good will toward her faded.
I think that's the way most people feel about the less fortunate. Either they didn't work hard enough to get or keep a job, or they have an addiction or they choose to be where they are. It's not always true, but people have been burned so much that they become more callous. Chances are you've never had a dog or cat lie to you about being hungry and needing something to eat. My cat never spends her food money on beer and cigarettes.
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October 16, 2009 06:57 PM
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Pets love you for who you are, not because you're rich or handsome or other superficial reasons. They don't judge you or put you down. Unconditional love, baby! And they're cute, at least when they're babies. However, people who treat their pets like people aren't doing them any favors. I agree it is ridiculous to spend huge amounts of money on pets when there are humans out there who could benefit. (I have three dogs, by the way, and they know they are dogs).
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October 16, 2009 07:19 PM
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They love you unconditional, and they don't talk back. :)
They don't care if your late coming home; they are just glad your home! They don't care if you burned dinner; they will eat it! They don't care what you're watching on TV; they will curl up with you anyway.
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They don't care if your late coming home; they are just glad your home! They don't care if you burned dinner; they will eat it! They don't care what you're watching on TV; they will curl up with you anyway.
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October 16, 2009 11:52 PM
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Pets are compelling because they do not distinguish between rich or poor, good mood or bad mood. They are non-judgmental and do not require your constant attention. They are a pleasant addition to your family and love your attention when you can give it to them. Pets forgive you when you are mad at them and can typically tell if you are a good person or not. I have had different cats and dogs in the past who reacted negatively to a person of whom I was not particularly fond of myself. Pets can also enrich your life and fill certain voids, especially in the lives of elderly individuals who may no longer have children or spouses living with them. Many couples start out with pets before having children, since they are connected with a certain level of responsibility. If you have cats or dogs, it is oftentimes amazing to watch how loyal they can be. There are also great stories out there on how house pets like cats and dogs saved the life of their families in emergencies, such as during gas leaks.
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October 17, 2009 03:30 AM
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They are the one and only things that loves us without judging us, talking back, or criticizing us. They love us no matter what we do, they don't care if we are ugly, fat, lazy or stupid. They look to us to love them and reward us back with so much love. They make us laugh and make us really cry when they are gone. They lift our spirits when we are down, and have more energy than I could ever have. We give them all the things we can to keep them the happiest because they make us so happy. They are always there for us through the good times and bad. People on the other hand aren't always that way.
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October 17, 2009 04:23 AM
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Pets are so compelling to humans because God put them on the earth specifically for that purpose (for man's enjoyment.....like a toy given to you directly from God). It is also only natural that humans are automatically attracted to animals, that was after all Gods intent. God built them perfectly....don't you think? After all they are equiped with fur, whiskers, long tails, little legs that make them jump and so on and so forth. Animals are here for our pleasure, enjoyment, entertainment, companionship, etc. This is one of the reasons I had such a hard time forgiving Michael Vick. He was so blessed from God with all that talent and money and he chose to use his money to destroy the beautiful creatures that got created. If your mother or father gave you a gift would you take it and detroy it right in front of them? Very hurtful!!!
Anyhow, hope this helps you feel more compelled to look at animals/pets a little closer next time as you might just find the answer in their little brown eyes :-)
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Anyhow, hope this helps you feel more compelled to look at animals/pets a little closer next time as you might just find the answer in their little brown eyes :-)
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October 17, 2009 05:52 AM
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(nodding) it's a combination of the cuteness factor, the need factor and the unconditional love factor. They are adorable, so that's a plus. They need us to take care of them, and it's nice to be needed. And no matter what we do, how we treat them, or what we forget to do, they will always love us anyway.
Would that our spouses were more like our dogs, maybe the world would be a better place? (I'm speaking generally, because my spouse is awesome!)
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Would that our spouses were more like our dogs, maybe the world would be a better place? (I'm speaking generally, because my spouse is awesome!)
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October 17, 2009 06:51 AM
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Because they love me strait out, as I am, warts and all, with minimal expectations, and no human head games.
My pets tend to be predators, i.e. cats and dogs, and I show my love for them by leveling out the stress of having to track and pounce and fight every day just to eat, even when the weather's bad, by guaranteeing them food, such that now they can hunt for sport when they feel like it, and in return they don't notice I'm a jerk.
I suspect it works like that on higher levels.
Many people wonder what the issue might be with angels, in particular, some have wondered how angels feel about God's love for humans, and maybe when they ask about it, He says, "Because they love Me as I Am, even when there's hurricanes and tornadoes and plagues..."
I can already hear Lucifer saying, "I bet they wouldn't have the same opinion if they could see You the way we can... and lemme guess... that's you why you're so private, right?"
>Kerpow< goes the the thunder, and Lucifer's kicked out... and God goes back to basking in the warmth of human love.
Pets... humans... God... It's always about love.
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My pets tend to be predators, i.e. cats and dogs, and I show my love for them by leveling out the stress of having to track and pounce and fight every day just to eat, even when the weather's bad, by guaranteeing them food, such that now they can hunt for sport when they feel like it, and in return they don't notice I'm a jerk.
I suspect it works like that on higher levels.
Many people wonder what the issue might be with angels, in particular, some have wondered how angels feel about God's love for humans, and maybe when they ask about it, He says, "Because they love Me as I Am, even when there's hurricanes and tornadoes and plagues..."
I can already hear Lucifer saying, "I bet they wouldn't have the same opinion if they could see You the way we can... and lemme guess... that's you why you're so private, right?"
>Kerpow< goes the the thunder, and Lucifer's kicked out... and God goes back to basking in the warmth of human love.
Pets... humans... God... It's always about love.
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October 17, 2009 04:29 PM
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What's NOT compelling about pets?
They're small bundles of love and affection that give so much and don't ask that much in return.
You may think that vet bills, groomers, extra cleaning, and pampering products are over the top, but consider that these are living beings. Animals that can't care for themselves, can't provide medical care for themselves. And in return for some comforts, food, and medical care, they give back unendingly.
Every purr.
Every nuzzle.
Every lick.
Every nap.
Every tail wag when you come home.
That's the way they say "thank you" for all the love and care you give back to them. When I am sick in bed, my pets always use their amazing powers to make me feel much better, and when I've had a bad day I can talk to them (I swear they don't talk back), tell them anything, and they don't judge.
They're companions, friends, family, and healers. Pets are amazing creatures.
So what about people suffering all over the world? I'm not asking you to ignore them. But I think EVERY creature is important, including those that don't have a voice. If your animals are so lucky as to enjoy a little bit of luxury, consider it a token of affection for all the animals who--much like people--are being abused, who are starving, and who are in desperate need of help.
Thank you for taking such good care of your babies. It takes a good person to really care about animals so well (even if the outfits are a bit over the top). I always say you can tell a lot about a person's character based on how they treat animals.
http://newworldodor.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/homeless-cuddling-dog-by-kirsten-bole-100-dpi.jpg
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They're small bundles of love and affection that give so much and don't ask that much in return.
You may think that vet bills, groomers, extra cleaning, and pampering products are over the top, but consider that these are living beings. Animals that can't care for themselves, can't provide medical care for themselves. And in return for some comforts, food, and medical care, they give back unendingly.
Every purr.
Every nuzzle.
Every lick.
Every nap.
Every tail wag when you come home.
That's the way they say "thank you" for all the love and care you give back to them. When I am sick in bed, my pets always use their amazing powers to make me feel much better, and when I've had a bad day I can talk to them (I swear they don't talk back), tell them anything, and they don't judge.
They're companions, friends, family, and healers. Pets are amazing creatures.
So what about people suffering all over the world? I'm not asking you to ignore them. But I think EVERY creature is important, including those that don't have a voice. If your animals are so lucky as to enjoy a little bit of luxury, consider it a token of affection for all the animals who--much like people--are being abused, who are starving, and who are in desperate need of help.
Thank you for taking such good care of your babies. It takes a good person to really care about animals so well (even if the outfits are a bit over the top). I always say you can tell a lot about a person's character based on how they treat animals.
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October 17, 2009 08:02 PM
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Happiness. Each and every day, I get a good laugh out of one of my whacky collection of critters. No animal has ever made me feel bad. There are no hurtful words. They may nag and scold you, but they never attempt to lower your self esteem, for example. Those unfortunate traits are reserved for humans. There is unconditional love, from pet to human and human to pet. If the pet is not a mammal, it can still display personality and emotion, even if it isn't quite as cuddly. Below is a photo of my cat being intensely jealous of one or our tortoises, "Timmy," because we were paying attention to Timmy when taking this photo. I swear, the cat is ticked off and the tortoise looks smug. I laugh every time I look at this photo. And there it is. Animals make you feel good! 
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October 18, 2009 12:54 AM
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Pets respond to love. They need love just as humans do. The love a pet provides is unconditional. They don't hold grudges and are always forgiving.
Some people have pets to feel needed. Pets rely on the love and care of their owner. They provide companionship for people who live alone. They can help children learn responsibility and experience growing up with a pet by their side.
Often pet owners are a bit "over the top" about the love and care of their pets. If that's what gives them personal pleasure, who are we to judge? Sure there are better ways they could be spending their money than on a designer sweater for "Fido" but we can't expect them to rescue the world.
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Some people have pets to feel needed. Pets rely on the love and care of their owner. They provide companionship for people who live alone. They can help children learn responsibility and experience growing up with a pet by their side.
Often pet owners are a bit "over the top" about the love and care of their pets. If that's what gives them personal pleasure, who are we to judge? Sure there are better ways they could be spending their money than on a designer sweater for "Fido" but we can't expect them to rescue the world.
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