The Value of Pets within our Lives

I'll agree that having a pet can be a counter to loneliness, but the rest of that argument is rubbish. I kept our two dogs when my wife of 52 years died - was I supposed instead to hand them in at a refuge and go running out to find a new wife to love? In fact I had to get a new puppy when the first dog died, because his younger friend was so unhappy without a playmate to chase and be chased by. And yes, I do also have friends to talk to and a family that visits me and takes care of me.

Cheers

John

Relax wrote:

smr wrote:
How do your pets or animals enrich your life?

I would make a rather observational post: The fewer pets an adult or child has, the more real friends they have.

By human nature we want to "give/receive" love to/from others. In many adults/children, the pet is the recipient of said love or need of being "loved". In all cases it is inferior to the real thing. Also, human nature needs responsibility in our lives even if we claim we do not. Pets instead of children or friends provide a shallow responsibility in lieu of the real thing.

All one has to do is observe the supporters of PETA. Nearly all single lonely people or folks who went through a nasty divorce or grew up as a single child. Lonely people who ascribe human characteristics onto their pets.

So: How do pets enrich our lives? They don't. They are a stand-in for real relationships.

John Prigent wrote:I'll agree that having a pet can be a counter to loneliness, but the rest of that argument is rubbish. I kept our two dogs when my wife of 52 years died - was I supposed instead to hand them in at a refuge and go running out to find a new wife to love? In fact I had to get a new puppy when the first dog died, because his younger friend was so unhappy without a playmate to chase and be chased by. And yes, I do also have friends to talk to and a family that visits me and takes care of me.

Cheers

Excellent post! Proving my post.

Sorry for your loss of your wife. It is very hard to lose those who are closest to us. No one replaces such unique lovely people whom we get to know intimately. No matter what other say. It also is the hardest to move onwards from these soul piercing losses.

But it is possible to partially fill the void left behind by their loss. It does require work. No, it certainly does not mean getting married again. You can be married and lonely as one feels used-up and put on the shelf to "molder".

Ones purpose in life is hard to define. It is easiest to define ones purpose, by how many people you can sheperd along and likewise who nudge you as well. Is this all encompassing truth? Not exactly, but it is about as close as one can get.

That being said:

I must have hit the nail on the head...

Even "had to" get a new puppy. It wasn't the other dog that was lonely.

There is more to life than the wonderful, amazing, energetic visits from your own children. Get out of the house and be useful in other peoples lives. Find purpose. For all I know you have. Many have not and instead make their "purpose in life" to be their pets. Or to abrogate their loneliness which PUSHES them to find their purpose in life, in other people, allowing themselves to become insular hermits.

Yes, Relax, it WAS the other dog that was lonely - not me, I was quite happy with just the one plus my family and neighbours. So please stop trying to 'shepherd' my life for me, I have enough problems moving around with spinal damage to be perfectly happy helping people who ask for advice via the net instead of going outside to do it 'live'.
Cheers
John

Relax wrote:

John Prigent wrote:I'll agree that having a pet can be a counter to loneliness, but the rest of that argument is rubbish. I kept our two dogs when my wife of 52 years died - was I supposed instead to hand them in at a refuge and go running out to find a new wife to love? In fact I had to get a new puppy when the first dog died, because his younger friend was so unhappy without a playmate to chase and be chased by. And yes, I do also have friends to talk to and a family that visits me and takes care of me.

Cheers

Excellent post! Proving my post.

Sorry for your loss of your wife. It is very hard to lose those who are closest to us. No one replaces such unique lovely people whom we get to know intimately. No matter what other say. It also is the hardest to move onwards from these soul piercing losses.

But it is possible to partially fill the void left behind by their loss. It does require work. No, it certainly does not mean getting married again. You can be married and lonely as one feels used-up and put on the shelf to "molder".

Ones purpose in life is hard to define. It is easiest to define ones purpose, by how many people you can sheperd along and likewise who nudge you as well. Is this all encompassing truth? Not exactly, but it is about as close as one can get.

That being said:

I must have hit the nail on the head...

Even "had to" get a new puppy. It wasn't the other dog that was lonely.

There is more to life than the wonderful, amazing, energetic visits from your own children. Get out of the house and be useful in other peoples lives. Find purpose. For all I know you have. Many have not and instead make their "purpose in life" to be their pets. Or to abrogate their loneliness which PUSHES them to find their purpose in life, in other people, allowing themselves to become insular hermits.

Oh, since when was I "shepherding" you? I posted generalizations, you posted your personal history from your viewpoint.

Touchy? Must have hit a nerve.

I used your term, Relax.
Cheers
John

Relax wrote:Oh, since when was I "shepherding" you? I posted generalizations, you posted your personal history from your viewpoint.

Touchy? Must have hit a nerve.

Recently (within the last month), I acquired a rescue dog. He's a shitzu with a black and white coat and he is 6 months old. This dog, the ladies love him! (I wish I could get this amount of action, attention, and love from the ladies!) The family loves him to death and he is worth his weight in Gold. He brings joy to everyone he meets and really destresses the family. I can see the difference in everyone's attitude and mood with the addition of Sammi! The value this dog brings to myself and others are beyond measure in my mind.

We got a rescue dog last November, now about 15 months old. Estimated to be 50% Alsatian, 25% Border Collie, and 25% Australian Blue Cattledog.

Net result is a largish, athletic smart dog, with boundless energy and a great deal of love and loyalty.
Great watch dog as he hears and responds to any external noise, but hopeless as a guard dog as he believes that every person and dog loves him as much as he instantly loves them.
As we are pushing towards 70 we hesitated about getting another dog, but he'll keep us young.

smr wrote:Recently (within the last month), I acquired a rescue dog. He's a shitzu with a black and white coat and he is 6 months old. This dog, the ladies love him! (I wish I could get this amount of action, attention, and love from the ladies!) The family loves him to death and he is worth his weight in Gold. He brings joy to everyone he meets and really destresses the family. I can see the difference in everyone's attitude and mood with the addition of Sammi! The value this dog brings to myself and others are beyond measure in my mind.

He sounds delightful! But at only pushing 70 why did you hesitate? I bought a puppy in January, and he was only 5 months old last week. I'm 75.
Cheers
John

Daryl wrote:We got a rescue dog last November, now about 15 months old. Estimated to be 50% Alsatian, 25% Border Collie, and 25% Australian Blue Cattledog.

Net result is a largish, athletic smart dog, with boundless energy and a great deal of love and loyalty.
Great watch dog as he hears and responds to any external noise, but hopeless as a guard dog as he believes that every person and dog loves him as much as he instantly loves them.
As we are pushing towards 70 we hesitated about getting another dog, but he'll keep us young.

smr wrote:Recently (within the last month), I acquired a rescue dog. He's a shitzu with a black and white coat and he is 6 months old. This dog, the ladies love him! (I wish I could get this amount of action, attention, and love from the ladies!) The family loves him to death and he is worth his weight in Gold. He brings joy to everyone he meets and really destresses the family. I can see the difference in everyone's attitude and mood with the addition of Sammi! The value this dog brings to myself and others are beyond measure in my mind.