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Author Topic:   Is it possible for people to be so attached to animals/pets that it's unhealthy
aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 03:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I personally think so. Am I the only one who feels this way? Sometimes I just can't help but roll my eyes when I see people being overly obsessed with animals. Don't get me wrong I love animals! I have had a number of pets and I have bonded with all of them and grieved when they died. However, I have never gone to the extremes that some people go to. For example,I know people who proudly and loudly claim that they love their animals as much as they love their kids/family. That's just freaking weird to me! And when I hear people say stuff like that it annoys me. In my opinion animals/pets are great but they are replaceable. You can't replace your child ,mom,dad, brother,sister, grandma/grandpa, best friend,spouse etc. but you can buy a new dog,cat, or bunny rabbit. Thus, I have a hard time understanding people who act as if this isn't the case. Am I the only one who thinks it's extremely unhealthy to value your pets/animals as much as your friends/family or even more? Thoughts?

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PixieJane
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posted October 25, 2014 03:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PixieJane     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
For some, their pets ARE their best friends and the only ones they can relax with not having to worry about the things we do to each other. And no, they're not replaceable for them, and they are part of the family.

Granted, it would be disturbing if a parent raced into a burning home to save a pet before the child, but I expect those who say their pets are part of the family wouldn't go out of their way to do that, I'm sure they'd focus on saving their child first (but once the child was out they'd likely risk their lives to save the pet next). And probably other family unless there was some serious dislike (or say if their aging parent dies they get to inherit property, I could see some people hesitating to save parents in that condition--not saying "I understand" but rather from what I've observed about how people treat relatives, especially older ones).

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T
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posted October 25, 2014 03:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I didn't finish reading the initial post, but I remembered an article I saw the other day......did a search and......

Women really DO think of their dogs as children: Researchers reveal the same brain structures are activated when owners see their canine companions and their kids
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2779993/Women-really-DO-think-dogs-children-Researchers-reveal-brain-structures-activated-owners-canine-companions-kids.html

Mothers’ brains show similar responses to her baby and her dog
http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2014/10/mothers-brains-show-similar-responses-to-her-baby-and-her-dog/


Patterns of Brain Activation when Mothers View Their Own Child and Dog: An fMRI Study
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0107205

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T
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posted October 25, 2014 03:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by aquaguy91:
In my opinion animals/pets are great but they are replaceable. You can't replace your child ,mom,dad, brother,sister, grandma/grandpa, best friend,spouse etc. but you can buy a new dog,cat, or bunny rabbit.

Nope.

You can't just buy a new pet to replace an old one. They are unique and a new one will never replace an old one. Just like a new kid couldn't replace another one. Unless you've truly loved an animal, you couldn't understand it.

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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 04:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by T:
Nope.

You can't just buy a new pet to replace an old one. They are unique and a new one will never replace an old one. Just like a new kid couldn't replace another one. Unless you've truly loved an animal, you couldn't understand it.



I have truly loved animals. Ever since I was a little boy I have loved dwarf hamsters. My older sister's first boyfriend gave me one when I was like 5 and I have kept dwarf hamsters as pets ever since. I take care of them until they die, and then I will grieve for a time, and buy a new one. While it's true that the pet you get to try and replace your old pet will not be exactly like your previous pet in temperament you can still get a pet that looks exactly like your old pet and it will help you get over your old one. You just can't do that with people....

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I'm so cappy
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posted October 25, 2014 04:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for I'm so cappy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Following your logic, people are irreplaceable because we can't get their clone after they die. Are you sure you love your mom?

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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 04:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by I'm so cappy:
Following your logic, people are irreplaceable because we can't get their clone after they die. Are you sure you love your mom?


You're not making any sense whatsoever. You can easily replace a pet. You can find an animal that looks exactly like your current animal and it will fill the same role that your current one fills. You can't do that with people. Like I said... I have had dwarf hamsters my whole life and I have cared for all of them and I will admit none of them have been exactly the same personality wise. But they have all looked the same and I get the same enjoyment when I watch and interact with all of them. When I buy a new one it fills the void that was left when the old one died. You cannot do that with people. When my nana died I wasn't able to go and buy another cranky old lady with red hair to cook for me, take care of when I was sick,and love me the way she did. But when your cat/dogs die you can go and buy another fur ball that will crap in your floor and will give you unconditional love as long as you feed it. I understand loving pets, but you always have the option to get another one. As I said, you can't do that with people.

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T
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posted October 25, 2014 04:44 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by aquaguy91:
In my opinion animals/pets are great but they are replaceable. You can't replace your child ,mom,dad, brother,sister, grandma/grandpa, best friend,spouse etc. but you can buy a new dog,cat, or bunny rabbit.

But take it from me, you CAN actually replace a defective, dysfunctional family member with a dog (or cat) and be much better off that way.

For some people an animal is exactly what they need and family members CAN indeed be replaced.

I've also owned hamsters ag, and let me tell you, they are very different than a dog or cat.

I had a long reply flowing before my computer shut down. Maybe I'll try to type it out tomorrow.

Your post above reminded me of my mother who used to scoff and laugh - or look down on people who loved animals. Like they were sappy suckers and needed therapy. I feel bad for her that she has lived a life and never known what it's like to receive that kind of love.

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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 05:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by T:

Your post above reminded me of my mother who used to scoff and laugh - or look down on people who loved animals. Like they were sappy suckers and needed therapy. I feel bad for her that she has lived a life and never known what it's like to receive that kind of love.



T,
I do not scoff at people who love animals. What you don't realize is I have probably had more experience loving and caring for animals than anyone on this whole message board. Unless any of you have worked at a zoo I grew up on a farm and had cows, horses, donkies, a pig,mules, goats, dogs, cats, and bunnies. My dad was also friends with a family that had a petting zoo and I would sometimes go and feed all the animals there too.name an animal and there's a good chance I have interacted with them at some point. And for the longest time I wanted to be a vet so don't act like I don't care about animals. But I am not ashamed to admit that I sympathize with humanity more than animals, maybe it's because i'm an aquarius, idk. I do love animals though, I just get annoyed by people who are hyperfocused on animals. The reason this is on my mind is because my friend is frickin obsessed with his cats.. To the point that they are all he ever talks about. He gets confrontational and hateful because I do not share his enthusiasm for cats. I just think that people like him need to expand their horizons and not make their cats and dogs the center of their universe.

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I'm so cappy
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posted October 25, 2014 05:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for I'm so cappy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No, YOU don't see that you're not making sense. And it's not about the looks, silly. Whether it's a human or an animal. It's about their personality and the connection you have with them. If you think these things are replaceable then your bonds were more superficial than you realize.

quote:
The reason this is on my mind is because my friend is frickin obsessed with his cats.. To the point that they are all he ever talks about. He gets confrontational and hateful because I do not share his enthusiasm for cats. I just think that people like him need to expand their horizons and not make their cats and dogs the center of their universe.

Good. Now go on a crusade and tell people to shut the f up about their babies No one cares about their crap.


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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 05:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by I'm so cappy:
No, YOU don't see that you're not making sense. And it's not about the looks, silly. Whether it's a human or an animal. It's about their personality and the connection you have with them.

[QUOTE]The reason this is on my mind is because my friend is frickin obsessed with his cats.. To the point that they are all he ever talks about. He gets confrontational and hateful because I do not share his enthusiasm for cats. I just think that people like him need to expand their horizons and not make their cats and dogs the center of their universe.



Good. Now go on a crusade and tell people to shut the f up about their babies No one cares about their crap.


[/QUOTE]

I have no desire to go on a crusade against them. I just get irritated because people like that are really pushy about their animals. My friend always tells me that I don't like cats because I evidently "see something in them that represents something I don't like about myself" or something along those lines. Just the other night we had an argument about this and he was really getting under my skin. His logic was there must be something wrong with me because I am not a cat person. The truth is I have never been a cat person,and it's not for any specific reason, I just don't feel a connection to them. But the guy keeps trying to push them on me. Lol.

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I'm so cappy
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posted October 25, 2014 06:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for I'm so cappy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, it sucks but that's how it is. Some are obsessed with their pets, others are obsessed with their children, some are obsessed with their god, etc. Loving an animal like a person doesn't have to be that way. Even loving a person like a person shouldn't be that way.

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I'm sooo happy! I mean, cappy.

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teasel
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posted October 25, 2014 08:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for teasel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No. I'm still upset over the pets that I've lost. My pets are my family - more than my sister has been for a while.

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athenegoddess
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posted October 25, 2014 01:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for athenegoddess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Aquarians LOVE animals.

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Dancing Maenad
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posted October 25, 2014 01:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dancing Maenad     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I wove my furbaby Sebastian! He sleeps next to my pillow, he follows me everywhere I go and he talks to me. Well, not that I understand but it's nice in an empty house. He is like my baby, my best friend, my roommate. Of course I talk about him a lot and tend to prefer cat people whom I can talk lots and lots about cats and avoid non-cat lovers because they're not cool. I do like other animal lovers though.
I've done our synastry and composite just like I do with everyone important in my life - because he IS important to me, and irreplaceable.

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~the raving one dancing in the nude~

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athenegoddess
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posted October 25, 2014 01:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for athenegoddess     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I like animals.. but i usually don't like dogs because they smell bad.. and I can't take that.. however i was walking the other day and the cutest siberian husky caught my eyes and this dog was strange too its not a normal dog. i noticed the dog was unusually intelligent and i have grown a fondness for her. also the dog doesn't smell bad at all. so now i want her.. which is rare for me.

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Faith
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posted October 25, 2014 02:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Faith     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by aquaguy91:
My friend always tells me that I don't like cats because I evidently "see something in them that represents something I don't like about myself" or something along those lines. Just the other night we had an argument about this and he was really getting under my skin.

Hilarious.

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BellaFenice
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posted October 25, 2014 05:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BellaFenice     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by aquaguy91:
I have no desire to go on a crusade against them. I just get irritated because people like that are really pushy about their animals. My friend always tells me that I don't like cats because I evidently "see something in them that represents something I don't like about myself" or something along those lines. Just the other night we had an argument about this and he was really getting under my skin. His logic was there must be something wrong with me because I am not a cat person. The truth is I have never been a cat person,and it's not for any specific reason, I just don't feel a connection to them. But the guy keeps trying to push them on me. Lol.

Is that why I don't really like cats?

Its okay AG, I know those feels. Not a cat person either.

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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 05:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
^IDK. Cats are too needy in my opinion. I compare having a cat to having a clingy woman that is always crying and whining. I am more of a dof person and what's funny is I have always been partial to certain breeds of dogs that are known for being more independent.

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page one
Knowflake

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posted October 25, 2014 06:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for page one     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If cats are needy, what are dogs? Or, God help us, children?

I think you might have difficulty dealing with anyone's needs but your own, bud.

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aquaguy91
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posted October 25, 2014 06:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for aquaguy91     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by page one:
If cats are needy, what are dogs? Or, God help us, children?

I think you might have difficulty dealing with anyone's needs but your own, bud.



That's not true at all. I don't like how emotionally needy cats are. I have never encountered a cat that did not whine and cry if it wasn't getting attention. And for the record you are the perfect example of what i'm talking about. I get annoyed by people who assume that someone who is not an animal nut cannot be good with kids. I love kids! The thing with kids is you can teach them things and watch them grow. As children get older they become more independent and don't require as much attention. Plus there's the fact that they are of my species and I feel more of a connection to them then I do to cats or dogs.

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PixieJane
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posted October 25, 2014 06:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PixieJane     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've found cats and dogs the opposite. Dogs constantly need to be petted, played with, walked, demand constant attention, and I don't like how piercing and constant the barks of some of the smaller ones are (like the corgi that would drop a ball at my feet and bark at me to throw it over and over again).

Cats rarely demand so much attention, at least for any length of time. Granted, some won't stay out from under your feet if they think you're about to put food down (including using a can opener if you do that to open their food) but other than that I've found them independent and even liking to be left alone. Oh, and some enjoy warm laps, but I think that's the same thing as liking a warm blanket to sleep.

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Ami Anne
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posted October 25, 2014 06:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by page one:
If cats are needy, what are dogs? Or, God help us, children?

I think you might have difficulty dealing with anyone's needs but your own, bud.


You need to stop trolling

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Ami Anne
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posted October 25, 2014 07:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ami Anne     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
And you trolled on MY thread, so it is getting personal

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Want To Ask Any Question About Bible Prophecy? Go For it. It is Free, of course.


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PixieJane
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posted October 25, 2014 07:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PixieJane     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Oh, I just remembered and had to share this, if your friend was like a dog or a cat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbycvPwr1Wg

quote:
If your friends acted like your pets, you might not keep them around

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