What kind of companion animals do you have? Do you feel sorry for people that
By Loverbear
@Loverbear (4918)
United States
July 16, 2008 1:16pm CST
What kind of companion animals do you have? Do you allow them to be with you as much as you can? Do you feel sorry for those people that choose to miss out on the joy of having companion animals? Do you get angry at those people who get companion animals and leave them outside 24/7?
I refer to pets as companion animals, because an article I read said that referring to your dogs, cats, etc as pets makes them more of a disposable commodity. It brings them closer and makes a person feel more responsible if they are referred to as "companion animals".
All my herd (I have four cats and two dogs...I have three Siamese and a Maine Koon cat and two mini Dachshunds) are inside companions and I constantly interact with all of them. I wouldn't miss having these crazy idiots with me for all the money in the world. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get a huge laugh out of their antics. I always feel sorry for those people who don't have animals or leave them outside on a chain, in a pen or allowed to roam. I get angry when I see how some of them are treated by so called responsible owners. The ones who are so indifferent (like my daughter) feel that their animals are disposable and you can replace them any time...there are always more dogs and cats.
What are your feelings about this?
5 responses
@teamsuccess (4)
• United States
21 Jul 08
People that think of companions/pets as disposable also think that people are also disposable and have not found love in anyone.
A pet/companion is like your child who you would do anything and everything for. You have taken on the responsiblity of caring for and protecting a living thing just like you would a baby. In return you will receive unconditional love.
I never understood why people leave animals outside in a pen and just do nothing with them. These animals I feel sorry for so much.
I love my dogs. They are my kids.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
22 Jul 08
I forgot to add, that it appeared in either Dear Abby or Dear Ann Landers that people that abuse or neglect animals will abuse and neglect humans. I have found it to be very true! My brother abused animals, and he was a definite human abuser too. I don't know where he is or how he's doing, as he wasn't much interested in being a member of the family and ran away at 19 and we only heard from him when he was in trouble with the law. Pretty sad commentary on an animal abuser isn't it?
@teamsuccess (4)
• United States
27 Jul 08
Loverbear,I have to agree with you and I have heard that myself and I think it is very true.
There are a lot of children that are trying to show their power my abusing and even killing pets and other animals. I fear that they will go on to humans too. And I have also heard that they have with additionally hurting kids in school and if they are not stopped it will continue. But they get no punishment because they are kids. Just a slap on the hands.
I guess these will just go on as adults until they are stopped and something can be done. A shame so many are hurt before it does.
@Xdrowninghavocx (3117)
• United States
19 Jul 08
Right now this family is made up of three dogs, 1 bird, and a fish. And we are extreme dog lovers here. I guess some people just aren't into animals, nothing wrong with that. I don't feel sorry for them because they are interested in other things. I do get upset when I hear about someone leaving their animals outside, so they are basically living in the wild. I don't know if I think that animals are disposable. However, we had time to grieve our older pets before we got our new ones.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
16 Jul 08
I have always loved animals and grew up in a family with many pets. From my childhood I remember the cats, especially Esther and Tucker, the rabbits, especially Miffy and later Sally. I had some gerbils and my sister had some ducks. My mum's American friend gave my mum her parrot because she was going home. He is now more than twenty years old and he lives with me.
I always wanted a dog and now I am lucky enough to have two dogs, Secret and Magic. They are miniature poodles, one is white with black patches and the other is black. They are so affectionate and loving. I took Magic to the groomers today and right now she is sitting by my side. Secret is playful and loves running around fields. Being a responsible owner is important. I think some people don't like animals so it is fine that they are not pet owners. Some people love animals but can't keep pets because of their circumstances. I feel sorry for that type of person. In my home country many homeless people have a dog. A dog is known as 'mans best friend' so that it lovely. I feel sorry for dogs, cats and other pets that are homeless and hope that they will all find a loving owner.
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
18 Jul 08
Four cats live with me: Josie and Paisley, the calicoes; Peaches, the champagne tabby; and Arthur, the white Turkish Angora. These cats are my dearest companions. Josie is my alarm clock -- tells me when to go to bed and when to wake up. She is always in my lap, purring like a motor. Peaches is our problem child. She had a difficult early life and is still leary of being petted. Paisley is our mischief-maker, always getting into trouble. Arthur is our boy; we call him Prince Arthur.
@stagewhisper (901)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I currently have four pets at home: a dog, a cat, and two chinchillas. The one I believe I'm closest to is my dog. I was the one who picked him from the litter, who named him, and who took care of him for the first week or two (even though I live with my parents, no one else was at home when it came time to bring him home). I helped train him, I feed him one of his two meals a day, and play with him. He, in turn, knows when I'm feeling down; he won't let me leave the house upset, at least not without making me pet or hug him for a few minutes. He's protective; he insists on sleeping with me in my room every night, and will be on guard if I am home alone with him. It's a wonderful thing to have him so close with me. I was raised with a German Shepherd as my guardian, so it doesn't feel quite right if I don't have a dog with me. 
