Loving pets: Is it a gay thing?

[none2_none2]

My cat, Rhoda, died this morning. There is a disease that gets passed on by ticks (bobcats are the likely other host). She was practically an indoor cat, but the new big dogs tear out the screens, so I left them off. Thus she started going out the last few weeks. Ticks are especially bad this year, but I put medication on her a week ago when I first heard of this disease. It wasn't enough, and unfortunately most that get it die. Thus I cannot beat myself up too much for not getting her in sooner. She seemed a bit under the weather on Saturday, and I took her in Monday morning... I'm older, so I have dealt with pet loss before. I'll get over this. However, it did get me thinking about how much my pets mean to me...

I've always thought of them as kind of like children -- to be taken care of and loved. I couldn't have my own kids for the infertility thing probably more than the gay thing. Anyway, even in my world view, I cannot imagine some other existence that was only for humans. (Of course, I couldn't imagine pests in an afterlife.)

This is the 3rd cat I have lost in the last 5 years, and though I don't show emotion on the outside, the death thing bugs me. I always feel like I loose a family member.

Is loving your pet a "gay" thing, or a "fem" thing, or a "adults without children" thing? Or do people that love their pets run the gamut of orientations, genders, and "butch factor"?

Any thoughts?

 

[MechaBlade]

I think this kind of thing crosses all genders and sexual orientations.

 

[Etoile]

None2, I am so sorry for your loss. I have had cats die too, and another one is nearing the end...probably by the end of 2008, which will be 3 in 3 years. I don't think there are any rules about who feels it more than others...I think it is about how sensitive you are as a person, regardless of whether you are gay or have kids or not. However, as a person without kids...it feels like I love my kitties more than someone who has kids does. But I think in reality it doesn't matter...I think people with kids probably love their pets just as much. And of course they have the added difficulty of having to comfort the kids while also grieving themselves.

I am so sorry about Rhoda. I wish I could reach across the internet and give you big hugs right now. When I lost my kitties I became a strong believer in the Rainbow Bridge story, and I'll tell Toadie and Wu to look for Rhoda over there. {{{{hugs}}}}

 

[Blase]

Loving your pets and grieving when they die is neither a gay nor a female thing. I have no doubt that people in all of the classes mentioned can and do feel heartbroken when they lose animals who have shared their lives.

 

[human_male]

I loved my cats like they were my children, sort of. They've been gone for a couple of years but I still imagine them curled up in my lap or sitting next to me meowing at me like they used to. I've never really gotten over their loss or any pets loss. I still think about a rat I had, Esteban, who died like ten years ago. He was just such a cool little guy.

I feel guilty about the loss of one of the most recent cats. She was old, and she started to get really decrepit and losing her marbles. I knew I should have her put down but I could not bring myself to do it. As a result, one day she was unable to get out from under the car quick enough and mum ran her over. She had to die like that, and my mum had to go through an emotionally traumatic event (she was beside herself) because I didn't have the guts to have her put down.

I imagine it's almost impossible to keep animals from picking up ticks unless you keep them inside all the time and that's not always practicle. You did your job by getting her to the vet when you noticed something was wrong. That's all you can do.

As for is it a gay thing... well I'm not gay and I loved all my pets. Well, one day I'd like to take it up the butt and suck off a lineup of a dozen or so sailors but that doesn't make me gay. Does it?

I wish you well.

 

[Wolfman1982]

Well, I love my black cat. And I am bi, does that make me gay ? I answered the question myself, no it is not a gay thing to care and love your pets. And feel saddened when they die. Even my father was heartbroken when he had to get one dogs he knew so well to sleep at the vet. I think the only people who will not love their pet, and will not feel heartbroken when their animals die, are psychopaths.

 

[sutherngent985]

I have lost many pets (dogs and cats both) to both death and having to give them up for one reason or another. I had to give my last cat to a new home just a few months ago when I moved and the new landlord wouldn't allow pets. I am still grieving for my cat...she was a great companion. She wasn't much in the conversation dept but she was a great listener and was always there when I needed a hug. I know I grieved in every case, the way I lost them made no difference.

 

[satindesire]

The ability to love someone or something outside yourself has absolutely nothing to do with your sexual preference.

My condolences.

 

[gingermango]

The ability to love someone or something outside yourself has absolutely nothing to do with your sexual preference.

My condolences.

I agree. On all points.

 

[blueyz22]

I've always thought of them as kind of like children -- to be taken care of and loved. I couldn't have my own kids for the infertility thing probably more than the gay thing.

Is loving your pet a "gay" thing, or a "fem" thing, or a "adults without children" thing? Or do people that love their pets run the gamut of orientations, genders, and "butch factor"?

It's a people thing. That's what makes us human: we have the ability to love and care for other creatures.

 

[Thundercat]

wow, i really took this topic the wrong way when i read it...lmao...i thought...holy crap, this is gonna be a crazy post

 

[Dyke_Writer]

The only preference here is whether you're an animal person or not. If you're an animal person, you obviously have them and grieve when they pass on or you're not, and therefore don't.

I think some people have animals as substitute children and treat them as such but, again, thats not a sexuality thing, its a human thing.


Sorry for your loss though. Sweet dreams kitty!