Just a Thought

[artful]

My friend, as well as Dream's,...made a comment on another thread,..."And all those traits in the imaginary man I speak of, are things I see in myself or
would like to see there.

And he must like my dog.

Rose"

...and I have often wondered why anyone would place the value of a pet, ABOVE having a full and complete relationship with someone who has no need
of a pet, (whether it be a dog, a cat, a parrot, etc.

I am not saying it is WRONG,...I just don't understand it,...and I HAVE,...seen it often. Often,...I have seen people go to their graves with pets, rather than attempt a committment with another person.

I have seen it on both sides,...male and female. I am not being judgemental on this issue,...but I really am curious. I would ask any and ALL to state their opinions here. Thank You !

 

[A Desert Rose]

My friend, as well as Dream's,...made a comment on another thread,..."And all those traits in the imaginary man I speak of, are things I see in myself or
would like to see there.

And he must like my dog.

Rose"

...and I have often wondered why anyone would place the value of a pet, ABOVE having a full and complete relationship with someone who has no need
of a pet, (whether it be a dog, a cat, a parrot, etc.

I am not saying it is WRONG,...I just don't understand it,...and I HAVE,...seen it often. Often,...I have seen people go to their graves with pets, rather than attempt a committment with a person of the opposite sex.

I have seen it on both sides,...male and female. I am not being judgemental on this issue,...but I really am curious. I would ask any and ALL to state their opinions here. Thank You !

OH PAAAAAAALESSSSSE!!!!!!! GIMME A BREAK. If you, out of everyone here does not yet get my sense of humor, then I am really in a bad way, Hon. You have to know it was all in jest, don't you?

Love,
Rose

P.S. No wonder no one likes me...... LMAO, now I get it.
Cripes- I can't spell or type either- must have been those gin and tonics at the 19th hole........

 

[Verypowerful]

Enter proud cat owner *smile*.

To be serious I do think that it is an interesting question, and have at least one theory. Since the pets are so close and share all our daily lives it is easy for some to project human characteristics to them. By "us" doing that the pets often "become" mirrors of the owner and thereby provide confirmation, as well as unquestioning love.
Just a general reflection, not attributed to myself or anyone else here...

(and now I get my avatar...)

VP

 

[Lancecastor]

I have a firm policy...

....of not dating women with little white dogs.

And more than one cat is also cause for serious fuckin' concern.

I'm not playin' second fiddle to anything that licks its ass then kisses Her whenever she talks to it in a baby voice.

That's MY job, damnit!



Lance

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: I have a firm policy...

....of not dating women with little white dogs.

And more than one cat is also cause for serious fuckin' concern.

I'm not playin' second fiddle to anything that licks its ass then kisses Her whenever she talks to it in a baby voice.

That's MY job, damnit!



Lance

My animals were never allowed to lick me, especially on the face.

Rose

 

[MsWorthy]

Enter proud cat owner *smile*.

To be serious I do think that it is an interesting question, and have at least one theory. Since the pets are so close and share all our daily lives it is easy for some to project human characteristics to them. By "us" doing that the pets often "become" mirrors of the owner and thereby provide confirmation, as well as unquestioning love.
Just a general reflection, not attributed to myself or anyone else here...

(and now I get my avatar...)

VP

I agree VP (it is an interesting question and people do project onto their pets...isn't that anthropomorphism?)

I think that this occurs often with people who are somewhat older, have no children, and/or have lived alone for a while. These pets seem to take on the importance of and the place of the children they never had.

I do not mean to suggest that this is the only type of person who does this, but it does seem fairly common with this type.

~Art, when you said, "I have seen people go to their graves with pets, rather than attempt a committment with a person of the opposite sex," you meant, "rather than attempt a commitment with another person," didn't you. *smiles*~

 

[Desdemona]

Re: I have a firm policy...

....of not dating women with little white dogs.

And more than one cat is also cause for serious fuckin' concern.

I'm not playin' second fiddle to anything that licks its ass then kisses Her whenever she talks to it in a baby voice.

That's MY job, damnit!



Lance

ROTFL. Lance, can you really lick your own ass before kissing a woman???

 

[Rubyfruit]

Artful, what are these people supposed to do with their animals? Take them to the shelter where they'll be put to sleep within 24 hours?

I don't think of my dog as disposable.

 

[A Desert Rose]

~Art, when you said, "I have seen people go to their graves with pets, rather than attempt a committment with a person of the opposite sex," you meant, "rather than attempt a commitment with another person," didn't you. *smiles*~

I have no control over my fingers, I can't stop myself. You are simply toooo fuckin' funny Ms. I am peeing my pants.............

Rose

 

[Native Alien]

just my opinion

but to reply to your question, it could be not only the unconditional love that a pet provides.
but also the fact that a pet will never tell one's secrets, belie one's trust, or get one into any number of situations that could result in one getting hurt.

unlike some people that i know.

no disrespect intended...

 

[MsWorthy]

I have no control over my fingers, I can't stop myself. You are simply toooo fuckin' funny Ms. I am peeing my pants.............

Rose

LOL

What have I missed, Rose?

~damn I am funny even when I don't mean to be...should that tell me something?~

 

[navarre]

Re: Re: I have a firm policy...

ROTFL. Lance, can you really lick your own ass before kissing a woman???

I'm laughing so hard that my stomach hurts.

Good one Des.

 

[Persephone36]

Well, I can only speak for myself personally, but animals -- pets -- have always been a part of my life.

To me they're just part of what makes life pleasurable.

I would certainly enter into a dating situation with someone who doesn't own pets. But I'm not about to sacrifice something I love that gives me happiness because the man I'm seeing doesn't like having pets.

Now, I've had a number of male friends who are *highly* allergic to cats and dogs. So, I think that's a much harder thing to deal with -- they all like animals -- they just get sick being around them. I haven't faced trying to be seriously commited to someone who can't be around pets for medical reasons. That would be a toughy. I would work hard to figure out a way to still care for my cat and honor my partner. I have no idea how -- but let me tell you, I wouldn't rest until I figured it out.

You know, owning a pet is a responsibility. You're caring for another life. You make that commitment. The people who treat animals as if they are disposable just make me shudder.

When I adopted my cat from one of the most famous animal shelters in the Northeast -- they actually check your *references* to see if you know how to be a responsible owner. They have signs in the room you wait in while they're calling your references. The signs say "Are you ready for a 15 year commitment?"

You only have to look at the way a dog or cat interacts with a loving owner to see that this animal has very attuned senses.

All that being said -- I never forget that my cat is a pet. Not a human being. When I go away I board him. I take care of him -- but he doesn't rule my life.

But, not to be rude Art -- it's sort of a strange question to me. I'm not sacrificing any relationships because I have a pet. But it's an important aspect of my life.

Here's an example of what I see as to what I'm not understanding in your question. Hypothetically Let's say I was vanilla -- giving up a pet for a man would be like me saying to someone I was dating who was into bdsm -- "You have to give up being a Dom because I don't do that sort of thing." Ridiculous expectation and arrogant stance for me to take, right? It's just a part of who you are. You either take it -- or leave it. But, you don't force someone to try to give up something because it's not your style or taste.

Owning pets, having that important relationship with domesticated animals is just one of the joys of some people's lives. You can't expect someone to give that up for a relationship. They would never be happy for making that sacrifice. It be ripping a part of who they are out of them.

Perse

 

[Lancecastor]

"I'm a Limberjack and I'm okay....

...I lick all night and I kiss all day."

What you gotta be asking yourself is whether I'm really limber.....or have a really long tongue.....or both.

Lance "The Amazing" Castor

ROTFL. Lance, can you really lick your own ass before kissing a woman???

 

[artful]

Re: Re: Just a Thought

OH PAAAAAAALESSSSSE!!!!!!! GIMME A BREAK. If you, out of everyone here does not yet get my sense of humor, then I am really in a bad way, Hon. You have to know it was all in jest, don't you?

Love,
Rose

Of course I knew the comment was made in jest,...but it caused me to ponder something I have wondered about for many years,...so I took your comment to open the thread with.

MsWorthy,...in truth,...I should have worded my opening post differently to INCLUDE other relationships than opposite sex. I apologise for that oversight, and I will EDIT that. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[Desdemona]

Re: Re: Re: I have a firm policy...

I'm laughing so hard that my stomach hurts.

Good one Des.

I'm glad to make you laugh Navarre.

 

[Desdemona]

Re: "I'm a Limberjack and I'm okay....

...I lick all night and I kiss all day."

What you gotta be asking yourself is whether I'm really limber.....or have a really long tongue.....or both.

Lance "The Amazing" Castor

I was wondering both, actually.

 

[Desdemona]

Dammit Lance, now I've got that silly song running through my head and I blame you.

 

[Ebonyfire]

Re: Re: Just a Thought

It may be a joke, but I personally think having a pet is more fun than having some types of relationships. Not everyone has to walk through life in lockstep with another human being. To each his or her own. Just because some folks need something different it does not negate the validity of a different path.

Ebony

OH PAAAAAAALESSSSSE!!!!!!! GIMME A BREAK. If you, out of everyone here does not yet get my sense of humor, then I am really in a bad way, Hon. You have to know it was all in jest, don't you?

Love,
Rose

P.S. No wonder no one likes me...... LMAO, now I get it.
Cripes- I can't spell or type either- must have been those gin and tonics at the 19th hole........

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: Re: Re: Just a Thought

It may be a joke, but I personally think having a pet is more fun than having some types of relationships. Not everyone has to walk through life in lockstep with another human being. To each his or her own. Just because some folks need something different it does not negate the validity of a different path.

Ebony

And I agree completely. I love my dog, but I was also ATTEMPTING to be funny. And I guess it fell flat........ There's a message there to me, I believe.

Rose

 

[Ebonyfire]

Re: I have a firm policy...

....of not dating women with little white dogs.

And more than one cat is also cause for serious fuckin' concern.

I'm not playin' second fiddle to anything that licks its ass then kisses Her whenever she talks to it in a baby voice.

That's MY job, damnit!

Lance

Are you are Lance the little white dog now? Or the little cuddly kitty? LOL

Eb

 

[Persephone36]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Just a Thought

And I agree completely. I love my dog, but I was also ATTEMPTING to be funny. And I guess it fell flat........ There's a message there to me, I believe.

Rose

Actually, Rose -- I totally got it -- after all, we were joking back and forth about. I kept writing the same thing...and he better like my cat, etc. For that matter wasn't Des joining in as well, on that thread of Eb's (or am I having a brain drain here?)

I don't think you have to take that personally at all. Why be so super sensitive? It's not a comment on you. You should believe in what you write -- it's your voice. Equal to everyone elses.

Perse

 

[Desdemona]

Perse, you beat me to it. I got the joke too Rose. Dont change the way you post. We love you the way you are.

But, I also really love my dogs. They offer unconditional love and acceptance and have protected me at times when I needed protection. They also give me comfort when I need comforting and for whatever reason am not with supportive humans. And yes, I'm one of those people who never had children that use their pets as a bit of a substitute. But, I'm not old.

 

[artful]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Just a Thought

And I agree completely. I love my dog, but I was also ATTEMPTING to be funny. And I guess it fell flat........ There's a message there to me, I believe.

Rose

No message intended for you or anyone else,...I have often pondered the thought. Just wanted to hear opinions on it.

On another side note. Most of us have seen people give their pets MORE affection than they give their partners-Any comments on THAT?

 

[Desdemona]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Just a Thought

No message intended for you or anyone else,...I have often pondered the thought. Just wanted to hear opinions on it.

On another side note. Most of us have seen people give their pets MORE affection than they give their partners-Any comments on THAT?

Yep. There is something definitely wrong with the relationship.

I'm full of opinions tonight.