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Marie5656 Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member  Just hanging out
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Fur flies in debate over whether pets are family Some readers consider them ‘furry kids,’ others say they’re just animals Special to MSNBC.com More and more Americans are thinking of their pets as members of the family, as Lauren Slater’s story about her relationships with her dogs, husband and children illustrated. But some, including Slater’s husband (early in their marriage, at least) and several MSNBC.com readers, object to the idea of a four-legged child. “I just find it very sad that the world has gone nuts over dogs,” writes a grandmother from Plano, Texas. “When I think of all the humans who need love and care, and I think of the millions/billions of people going and acting crazy/nuts in love with dogs and cats, I just don't get it. Animals are OK, but that is all they are — animals.” But many readers sided with Slater, explaining how love for pets has enriched their lives and relationships. “Animals have always been a huge part of our lives,” writes Brad of Lynbrook, N.Y. “They have helped bring us closer together and have helped us through many troubled times. We have no children, and the animals we have had throughout our lives have served to fill a void. They bring us great personal joy and have helped us grow closer.” Read on for more tales about how people feel pets can impact relationships. Like the author of this story, I am an animal lover also — the more the merrier — dogs, cats, birds, everything! Believe it or not, mutual love for our "zoo” is the one thing that kept my husband and I together for almost 12 years. We divorced, but we never, ever had a disagreement about our pets — we probably loved our furry “kids” more than we loved each other! I got custody of the zoo after the divorce, and my ex-husband comes over now and then for his “custody" visits” — and to get his snuggle fix. — Laura, Chicago My love for dogs has always come before the two relationships in my life, and I don’t regret it one bit. No man will ever measure up to the deep love and respect I have for a dog. — Anonymous Lauren Slater is a psycho in serious need of a reality check. Anyone who would even think about whether or not to choose a child over a dog is in serious need of help. ... She has the nerve to refer to them as “members of the family.” No, lady, they are NOT. They cannot get your groceries for you on cold days when you are sick, go to the mailbox for you, cover for you with a friend, or give you a blood transfusion if you're in some car wreck. I write this because a dog owner has changed my viewpoint on pet ownership forever and all time. My next-door neighbor has threatened me with my life because I objected to his dogs making my lawn their own private Idaho. Can you imagine anything more ridiculous than someone threatening the life of a human being over a $20 animal? I don't hate dogs or pets. What I find ridiculous and disgusting in many cases is the pet owner. — R.J. Head, Alabama My husband grew up on a farm where animals were seen as ... well, animals. They belonged outside, including dogs. I had a dog growing up and was determined to have one once I got my own place. Shortly after we bought our first house, I brought a dog home from the local shelter, intending to foster her until a permanent home could be found. Fast forward five years. Our beloved “furry daughter” Lily now has “daddy time” at night, when she'll spend time sitting in his chair with him. She is absolutely a member of our family and we even refer to our son as her “brother.” Yes, some might think we're crazy, but the bottom line is that I don't feel our family would be complete without a pet. — Jennifer Ollanketo, Oshkosh, Wis. Sure, now I play with my dog more and nag my husband less. They're both happy with this. — Rose, New York City My husband and I are still sort of newlyweds, and we just recently got a puppy. … We don't currently have children, and plan to wait a few more years before we will have any, so Abby's the closest thing to a baby we have. And she is definitely like our child. Raising Abby has really brought out some of our parenting styles — like who plays the good cop and who plays the bad cop. ... The beauty of the change that Abby has brought into our lives is that she's helped us see that we really are on the same page about a lot of things. We both agree on how to take care of her, where she should sleep, what she gets to do and how we want to raise her. And we both love her very much. I didn’t think it was possible, but I think I love my husband even more now that I've seen what a good puppy-dad he is. We both love our puppy very much and sharing that love for her has helped our love for each other grow. And when I see him playing with our puppy or cuddling with her or consoling her after she's been stung by a bee, I get to see a glimpse of the wonderful father he will be to our human kids in the future. — Cortni Marrazzo, Spokane, Wash. My husband had two dogs when we got married, and they no longer sleep in the bed, but they're all over the furniture, basically ruining my sofa. I would never ask him to get rid of the dogs, but I never want to have pets again. They're just so dirty! Our house is never clean. I couldn't imagine having a kid playing on the same floor that our dogs walk on. — Elizabeth, St. Louis My fiance never even touched a horse until he met me. I was hesitant in inviting him into my peaceful sanctuary. When I did, he seemed overwhelmed by my three horses, three cats and four dogs. But he took it all in. He began riding lessons, equine massage therapy courses and was even certified as an electric-acupuncture therapist. Seeing his desire to learn and care for horses, I gave him my most treasured possession, my 25-year-old Paint [horse] named Mico. Mark and Mico love each other, and I love Mark for loving me and all my animals. — Margarita Diaz, Lake View Terrace, Calif. I always thought that I was not a animal lover. I just needed to meet my toy Fox Terrier “Sobe.” I met her in South Beach and knew she had to be mine. She is a part of my life. She makes us laugh everyday. She is taken care of by all by loved most by me. — Ruby, Florida Katy and Chase are part of our family, and are treated like our kids since ours are grown. They have taught us compassion and understanding. I wish we could adopt more. They really do provide unconditional love. — Susan, Louisville, Ky. What a crock. Dogs are not people! Sooo sick of hearing how folks spend more money taking care of them. More than a human being. We need to get our priorities straightened out. Dogs are animals. — Anonymous Yesterday, we lost our best fried. She was only 3 1/3 years old. She would look at you as if she were smiling. It is difficult for me to say in words how I feel. She is and always will be loved as a member of our family. What a great treasure we lost. Love overwhelmed us, and us for her. I have never felt a loss as much as I do for her. My wife and son feel the same. ... I have lost other friends, but the recent loss has been the greatest that I have known. Dogs, cats, whatever, can turn a person's life in the right direction. Love for animals is key. — Robert Novak, King George, Va. © 2007 MSNBC Interactive URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20216229/ Last edited on 12:45 am by Marie5656  
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UsedToRide Original500© Member  ^^^That is LOVE!!^^^
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Hmm....very interesting to see other people's opinions of their pets. My personal opinion falls somewhere in the middle of the two very different views here, leaning towards the "family member" view, but not completely to that extreme.If no man will ever measure up to what she feels for her dog, she isn't meeting the right men. I get the whole, "a dog will never let you down like a man will, it loves you no matter what." I understand that. But as others in the quoted letters say, it is an animal, not a person. I was torn on this one. I know the interview this person is referring to, when that psycho broad was asked to choose between hitting a child or a dog with her car and could not answer. Sorry, but the dog is getting wiped out every time. It wouldn't even occur to me to swerve into the path of the child. But what can you expect from a person who belongs to PETA? However, some of the things the author of this letter mentions can be done by a dog. There are stories of dogs who are assistant dogs and can in fact bring you your groceries and your mail. They can't make the money to pay for them, naturally, but they can do more than many people give them credit for. What a crock. Dogs are not people! Sooo sick of hearing how folks spend more money taking care of them. More than a human being. We need to get our priorities straightened out. Dogs are animals. Well, Mr Anonymous, I'm sick of hearing about neglected, abused, starved animals who fall ill because people refuse to take them to the vet and get them the most basic vaccines to prevent disease. The ones who do take proper care of their pets are to be commended, since the majority that I have come across do not. There is a big gap between being obsessive and thinking your pets are people, and just not giving a crap what happens to them, having a pet just because it's "fashionable".
Respect some, trust one, fear none ~~Bullet http://www.freeholbrook.com The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons. ~~Dostoyevsky |
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Marie5656 Forum-Blogger© Original500© Member Just hanging out
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Like you, UTR, I am torn, but leaning on the side of "family member". I chose not to comment right away because I really had to ponder this one. OK, I am an owner of an animal who is considered "not really a pet" because she is not a dog or cat, sits in a cage and does not cuddle. But she is my pet, and I am ashamed to say I have called her a furkid. BUT, here is the thing...when Trixie passes on, I will be sad, and yes..she will be burined under the tree next to my guinea pig..bit life will go on. I am one who was in a car which had to hit an animal while swerving out of the way of hitting a human. It was tough, but I realize that it was the better thing to do. Granted the animal we hit was a wild animal, not a pet, but still an animal. When Trixie goes will I get another pet? Probably not. I like my pets but they are just that, good companions..fun to have around, but not really family.
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