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Expired pets....I don't get it!

uck51js9zml2yt

We had 2 hamsters. I got one of them euthanised last night.
The saddest part was handing over €55 for its death and disposal.

The alternative was stick it in a box outside at night....but I'm not that heartless.

But I just don't get the attachment people have to their pets and the apparent loss they feel at their departure.

Over the years we've had cats and dogs. Some have died naturally, others were brought to the vet in their old age but I just considered them animals and not siblings etc as some do.

What am I missing here? Why the utter despair at the loss of an animal?

I just don't get it!

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uck51js9zml2yt

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I don't mean to be nasty here but if you can't understand the despair someone would feel at the death of a pet, an animal they probably loved as much as a friend or a family member then I don't think that anything typed here will enlighten you.

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

FAILSAFE 00

Captain Obvious wrote: »

How did he tell you about it?

Well, he is the most qualified dog in that field.

uck51js9zml2yt

cisk wrote: »

Using the word expired to describe a pet that has passed away says it all really.

What other word would you use?

I signed a form in the vets authorising the "euthanasia" of my hamster.

eviltwin

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

I know my dog is a dog, I know my cat is a cat

Doesn't stop me loving them or having a strong emotional bond with them. If you are lucky you can have a pet in your life 15-20 years, how could you not form a bond with them?

9or10

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

FFS because the beardy man in the sky gave us the animals to use?

AudreyHepburn

To be honest I don’t think someone who uses the word ‘expired’ to describe the death of a pet will ever understand. Mind you I don’t know that you can equate losing a hamster to losing a cat or dog but still you come across as awfully callous op.

I know my dogs are dogs but they are part of the family and I love them both to bits. I can’t even bring myself to imagine losing them, anymore than I could an actual family member.

You don’t have to understand it OP but you don’t have to be heartless about it either.

wexie

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

interesting analogy actually.

Kinda like people have a beloved pet put to sleep to stop it from suffering (and then grieving over) or people aborting a child to spare it a lifetime of suffering (and then grieving over it)

Mountainsandh

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

Why do people infer human qualities to them? Like it or not. Animals are not people.

Granted I may never "get it".

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.

I think there is a bit of a myth that if you really really like your pet, and want to treat it as part of the family, you have lost the run of yourself and "think" they're human. I'd say most people know well their pets are not humans, but it's so much fun treating them as such. (or nearly treating them as such, or once in a while treating them as such)

I'm ridiculous with my dog and cats, but I know they're animals.
That's grand, I have fun, I enjoy the homely charade of talking to them like mini humans, it doesn't mean I believe in it.

I engage in that behaviour because I get something out of it !

So yes, when you reach the later years and they die, you're heartbroken, but in the meantime you're after getting so much more out of your pets than if you just had a dog outside in the kennel and never talked to it, or just never allowed it that space in your affection.
Same with cats, I think the more you interact with them, the more interesting they become, if you don't talk to a pet, they'll just live on their life without knowing any better, but if you do, they respond and their individual quirks show.

I think there's an empathy barrier that maybe you're not crossing for some reason, maybe you're too pragmatic a person to fall for it ?

It's nice falling for it though, you're missing out.

Tuco88

9or10 wrote: »

FFS because the beardy man in the sky gave us the animals to use?

Santa? Ahhhh boll*x.... for years I was asking the the man for presents, no wounder it never worked...

I could have asked for a wolf or somthing... feck anyway.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

Or alternatively to see the overlap between people who think a foetus should be treated like a baby in terms of rights, but struggle to "get" how people have a big attachment to a sentient, intelligent creature that's lived in their home for over a decade.

But you're right, it's neither here nor there.

Noveight

I can understand why someone would be mournful over the loss of a pet, but that degree of attachment to an animal isn’t for me.

Each to their own.

beertons

My dog was a bit off last weekend. Couldn't jump up on the couch, so I put a step in front of it to help her come and go. I let her sleep on it too, usually she's in the kitchen. I slept beside her at the weekend too, fearing she might need me. Vet said she has slipped disk. 7 days of meds, no exercise and no mad playing. Rest, sleep, eat. We call her our first born. I don't know how we will cope when her time is up.

[Deleted User]

I miss my doggy

He's buried down the back of the garden.

uck51js9zml2yt

Mountainsandh wrote: »

I think there is a bit of a myth that if you really really like your pet, and want to treat it as part of the family, you have lost the run of yourself and "think" they're human. I'd say most people know well their pets are not humans, but it's so much fun treating them as such. (or nearly treating them as such, or once in a while treating them as such)

I'm ridiculous with my dog and cats, but I know they're animals.
That's grand, I have fun, I enjoy the homely charade of talking to them like mini humans, it doesn't mean I believe in it.

I engage in that behaviour because I get something out of it !

Some would call that kind of behaviour delusional.
If you pm me your address I'll get the men in white coats to visit you.
They have nice hotel rooms with lots of padding on the walls:)

[Deleted User]

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

Some would call that kind of behaviour delusional.
If you pm me your address I'll get the men in white coats to visit you.
They have nice hotel rooms with lots of padding on the walls:)

You may find that given your lack of empathy and understanding that the men in white coats would much prefer you

Wibbs

gw80 wrote: »

I have a tortoise here, 15 years and still going strong, the f¥#$er wont die. Id say he gona out live myself.

I've a couple of turtles one is mid thirties, the other is at least 42(I got him when I was a kid and he was already fully grown). Tortoises can go on for bleedin decades.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Mountainsandh

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

Some would call that kind of behaviour delusional.
If you pm me your address I'll get the men in white coats to visit you.
They have nice hotel rooms with lots of padding on the walls:)

Who gives a **** ?
I'm not delusional in any other area of my life (although diet wise it's debatable).

[Deleted User]

Patww79 wrote: »

Songs sniff cancer? Even if it can, how does it tell you?

It will sing it to you!

:pac:

ancapailldorcha

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

Some people do get a bit daft about their pets but for most people, it's a bond formed by spending significant amounts of time with their pet be it walking, work or just relaxing. It's a form of friendship and love. I had 2 dogs and a cat growing up and I miss 'em all, especially the cat.

Discodog

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

It would be an interesting conversation ( on another thread) to see how many people who grieved over the death of an animal would have no problem supporting the killing of an unborn child.
But it's for another thread.

I think the problem isn't with me( and those like me) but with those who can't differentiate between animals and people and attribute human attributes to their pets.
My wife's family have had German shepherds for years. They slept outdoors winter (-20) and summer.
They were work dogs, their to guard the animals.
The only concession was in winter that they slept in the hay shed to keep warm.

So you were conditioned to not have a close bond with your animals but to see them as being there to serve a purpose.

There are thousands of dog owners who don't really want a dog but still get one. Go to any village or housing estate & you will hear them barking. Their owners won't mourn.

But there are owners that really do care & because their dog reacts to their caring, a really strong bond develops. My dog owning friends refer to people "getting it" meaning they understand that the dog gives them far more than they give the dog.

uck51js9zml2yt

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Some people do get a bit daft about their pets but for most people, it's a bond formed by spending significant amounts of time with their pet be it walking, work or just relaxing. It's a form of friendship and love. I had 2 dogs and a cat growing up and I miss 'em all, especially the cat.

My son misses the hamster...the one he never played with or even looked at.
He came with me to the vets. It was a toss up as to who the vet brought into the back room

It was a good life lesson for him.

RasTa

I grieved over the death of my animal. I'd also support the killing of an unborn child and I'd support the killing of a born child or adult.

wexie

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Same way they do when they sniff drugs? Money? Explosives?

https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/about-us/bio-detection-dogs/

https://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/20/health/cancer-smelling-dogs/index.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dogs-will-sniff-out-stomach-cancer-japanese-trial-180963758/

Discodog

Patww79 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Yes & they are extremely good at it.

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160319-dogs-diabetes-health-cancer-animals-science/

beertons

Patww79 wrote: »

Songs sniff cancer? Even if it can, how does it tell you?

They just know when something is up. One night, my dig was acting a bit unsettled in the sitting room. Not the I need to go to relieve myself, something else. I open the door, she bails out the back, and starts barking for Ireland. I look out the front, and there's a car parked at the end if my drive, lights off. I turn on the outside light, and there's a guy the other side of the glass, and he's trying to break into my van. They fled, too much noise and attention. Haven't seen the car again.

splinter65

Pablo Petite Gymnasium wrote: »

We had 2 hamsters. I got one of them euthanised last night.
The saddest part was handing over €55 for its death and disposal.

The alternative was stick it in a box outside at night....but I'm not that heartless.

But I just don't get the attachment people have to their pets and the apparent loss they feel at their departure.

Over the years we've had cats and dogs. Some have died naturally, others were brought to the vet in their old age but I just considered them animals and not siblings etc as some do.

What am I missing here? Why the utter despair at the loss of an animal?

I just don't get it!

At a crisis juncture in her life 21 years ago my friend was given a newborn kitten who she nurtured and took nurture from , from that day until 2 weeks ago when she died of heart failure at a very advanced age for cats.
That cat had accompanied her on a long journey from darkness into light, often giving her a reason, when one was badly needed, to get out of bed and live.
I get it that you don’t feel the same about your pets but it really doesn’t take much imagination to see how some people can get so involved.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Avatar MIA

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

Lab report

LOL is overused, but I actually did. Would love if the dog was a lab.

Dakota Dan

eviltwin wrote: »

I don't understand why someone who isn't attached to animals would get a pet in the first place.

The op is talking about being emotionally attached to pets it doesn't mean you can't keep a pet if you don't.