People who care more for their pets than fellow humans

KungPao · 09-01-2015 03:37AM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

If anyone messed with my cat I'd throw them off a four storey rooftop.:mad:

But funnily enough, if someone threw your cat from there, the little fella'd probably be grand!

I feel the same way, my tortoises may look like funny little things but **** with them and I'll **** you up!

Topper Harley · 09-01-2015 04:04AM

KungPao wrote: »

But funnily enough, if someone threw your cat from there, the little fella'd probably be grand!

Probably not unfortunately. Although they always land on their feet, the momentum from such a high fall would likely cause his head to drop and chin to smash into the ground and break. And from there there's only one humane option left.

Not trying to bring the mood down or anything but just so no one goes throwing cats off a high building just to test the theory.

However, as I understand it, if you tie buttered toast to the cats back and throw it from a height it will remain suspended indefinitely and so the cat will be safe. But maybe don't try that either. :P

Turpentine · 09-01-2015 05:04AM

Champ wrote: »

I've thought about this somewhat and it's probably because humanity as a species when taken as a whole is utterly.... disappointing.

In contrast animals are neither inherently "good" or "evil" and so have a quality of existence that humans can never hope to obtain, that of true innocence.

Existence for most animals is hardly what I'd call "quality", unless they're at the top of the food chain or pampered pets.

And by "innocence" I assume you mean a lack of conscience. Not exactly the bar by which you should call humanity as a whole "disappointing".

Pets can be great, but too many people project their preferred human personality traits onto their pets purely because they can't and don't talk back to them.

Maybe their pets are jerks to other animals but don't bite the hand that feeds.

The Herzog documentary "Grizzly Man" is an extreme example of a result of that type of projection.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 07:44AM

Iranoutofideas wrote: »

A certain local business in my area were offering to donate a sum of money to a local charity and asked for suggestions as to who to donate to on their facebook page

One of the first suggestions was the local search and rescue who have saved countless people who have tried to end their lives in the nearby river.

This was then followed by countless suggestions of some local charity for feral cats. Every single one of these suggestions came from women.

I just couldn't ****ing believe my eyes. Feral ****ing cats.

Feral cats are wonderful and are in fact victims of human cruelty and negligence.. well done them for thinking of this. I feed feral cats and they do a grand job of keeping vermin down .. but I would not ask for money for this...they need to be neuetered and vets should help free

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 07:48AM

try joining the dogsey forum....furbabies galore!

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 09-01-2015 11:59AM

I love my two dogs more than I'm capable of loving any other living creature. Oh included. They're amazing, they're kind, they're gentle, they're loveable, loyal, love unconditionally, and really are my best friends. I don't owe loyalty to any other human being. My dogs are my family and I would never put another person (including myself) before their wellbeing and safety and happiness.

The world would be much better if people were more like dogs

jimgoose · 09-01-2015 12:06PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

...The world would be much better if people were more like dogs

True for you. I'm off to roll around on the floor and lick my balls. Then I think I'll stick my head into someone's crotch. Live free or die, baby! :cool: :pac::pac::pac:

Shenshen · 09-01-2015 12:17PM

I'm always a little confused by the assumption in questions like this one.

Why would there be a moral impetus on humans to feel close emotional ties to any random other human over animals they know and are familar with?

I don't think that necessarily implies that they would value the life of a stranger over the life of their pets, but that up to that crucial moment, the pet comes first.

Grayson · 09-01-2015 12:17PM

I find it really weird the relationship that people have with animals. There was a survey where people were asked what they'd rescue from a burning building, their pet or a random baby. A surprising number chose their pet over a baby.
I grew up with animals all around me. We never turned an animal away. It was like living in a zoo. So I do love animals. However I can't imagine the rational in leaving a baby in a burning building. I don't care how much you love your pet, it's a fcuking baby.

smash · 09-01-2015 12:19PM

Grayson wrote: »

I find it really weird the relationship that people have with animals. There was a survey where people were asked what they'd rescue from a burning building, their pet or a random baby. A surprising number chose their pet over a baby.
I grew up with animals all around me. We never turned an animal away. It was like living in a zoo. So I do love animals. However I can't imagine the rational in leaving a baby in a burning building. I don't care how much you love your pet, it's a fcuking baby.

There was a social study a few years ago that I can't find now, but the results showed a huge majority of people are willing to protest or share stories about animal abuse over child abuse. Very odd.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:23PM

berger89 wrote: »

Don't they say that its actually unhealthy to treat a dog like a human; almost cruel? I don't allow the dog into my room or up on furniture and whatnot. Hate feeding them from the table (even though everyone does) I love my dog to bits but I really don't think they should be indoors (even though ours are spoilt brats!)
The highlighted line sounds kind of creepy….but look, they are some seriously lonely people in this world. think of elderly people who probably have no visitors. they are (possibly) going to treat their animals like they were a child

This is at the base of this. If you define child, you will think dependency, company, interaction, feeding, training, affection. They know it is a dog but all these aspects come into play. Loneliness can be a killer so a pet can fill that gap. Pets help in many ways. I cannot stand when they talk of "furbabies" but then I am no lonely.My rescued cats and dogs are dear to me but not like children. One of my GP many decades ago used to say he was trying to get some of his old wans to get cats after seeing mine and how we interacted. Their need for eg food and warmth can save an old life.

Shenshen · 09-01-2015 12:27PM

smash wrote: »

There was a social study a few years ago that I can't find now, but the results showed a huge majority of people are willing to protest or share stories about animal abuse over child abuse. Very odd.

And yet, people are still giving more to human charities than animal charities.

The article here is 2 years old, but I don't think patterns have changed all that much since. Animal charities don't make it to the top ten.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:27PM

LexieOnRale wrote: »

I love my two dogs more than I'm capable of loving any other living creature. Oh included. They're amazing, they're kind, they're gentle, they're loveable, loyal, love unconditionally, and really are my best friends. I don't owe loyalty to any other human being. My dogs are my family and I would never put another person (including myself) before their wellbeing and safety and happiness.

The world would be much better if people were more like dogs

I know many like this! I have 2 rescue dogs after nearly even decades of cats only and a baptism of fire with two very difficult and one very damaged abused collie. I find them very demanding! But then I dont have the energy for dogs. They needed and I was the only available person. Am used to cats but they are cats and not people and response to their needs must reflect that

smash · 09-01-2015 12:29PM

Shenshen wrote: »

And yet, people are still giving more to human charities than animal charities.

The article here is 2 years old, but I don't think patterns have changed all that much since. Animal charities don't make it to the top ten.

The difference being that charities require donations and people just aren't prepared to pay up. Social sharing is free.

Shenshen · 09-01-2015 12:30PM

smash wrote: »

The difference being that charities require donations and people just aren't prepared to pay up. Social sharing is free.

I think the donations therefore are a better indication of how much people care

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:32PM

smash wrote: »

There was a social study a few years ago that I can't find now, but the results showed a huge majority of people are willing to protest or share stories about animal abuse over child abuse. Very odd.

Interesting; thank you. But easier in a way a children come with parents who are supposed to be responsible so maybe legal restraints. Sorry; not explaining that very well.. dratted gale is spooking me... Animal abuse tend to be anonymous, No strings. I tell the tale of my collie but would never speak re an abused child in the same way.. in all my years of rescue I have never seen a child being starved or beaten.

Grayson · 09-01-2015 12:33PM

Graces7 wrote: »

[/B]
This is at the base of this. If you define child, you will think dependency, company, interaction, feeding, training, affection. They know it is a dog but all these aspects come into play. Loneliness can be a killer so a pet can fill that gap. Pets help in many ways. I cannot stand when they talk of "furbabies" but then I am no lonely.My rescued cats and dogs are dear to me but not like children. One of my GP many decades ago used to say he was trying to get some of his old wans to get cats after seeing mine and how we interacted. Their need for eg food and warmth can save an old life.

Ferrets are supposed to make amazing companions. Apparently they're very affectionate and very physical. I've heard that some doctors recommend them as part of the treatment of depression.

Frigga_92 · 09-01-2015 12:33PM

Grayson wrote: »

I find it really weird the relationship that people have with animals. There was a survey where people were asked what they'd rescue from a burning building, their pet or a random baby. A surprising number chose their pet over a baby.
I grew up with animals all around me. We never turned an animal away. It was like living in a zoo. So I do love animals. However I can't imagine the rational in leaving a baby in a burning building. I don't care how much you love your pet, it's a fcuking baby.

Can you not see that a person would have a bond and relationship built up with their pet and not with "a random baby"?
If it were me, I would of course try to save both, but my pet would come first. "A random baby" doesn't mean anything to me, my pets do.

Would you be as shocked if it were "a random person" or does it only matter because it's "a random baby"?

Yamanoto · 09-01-2015 12:33PM

Always amazes me just how quickly many owners who profess a real love of their dogs are to replace their furry pals, once they've kicked the bucket.

Find that really odd tbh.

smash · 09-01-2015 12:35PM

Shenshen wrote: »

I think the donations therefore are a better indication of how much people care

I don't think so. Social sharing spreads faster through out younger generations. Generations without the disposable income to donate. I think no matter what study you look at, you're looking at a specific generation based group so there's no true answer. Maybe the younger generations will grow up to show more compassion towards humans, or maybe they'll think that pugs with conjunctivitis are more worthy of their money... It remains to be seen.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:35PM

Grayson wrote: »

I find it really weird the relationship that people have with animals. There was a survey where people were asked what they'd rescue from a burning building, their pet or a random baby. A surprising number chose their pet over a baby.
I grew up with animals all around me. We never turned an animal away. It was like living in a zoo. So I do love animals. However I can't imagine the rational in leaving a baby in a burning building. I don't care how much you love your pet, it's a fcuking baby.

It is too the dependency dogs feel for us, their dire need of us Their utter devotion, for a dog is not complete without its person. Mine sleep if I am not around then wake suddenly and race to me when I appear . That alone means so much to people who have little affection in their lives

Grayson · 09-01-2015 12:35PM

26sdrawkcab wrote: »

Can you not see that a person would have a bond and relationship built up with their pet and not with "a random baby"?
If it were me, I would of course try to save both, but my pet would come first. "A random baby" doesn't mean anything to me, my pets do.

As far as I'm concerned letting someone die when you could rescue them is the equivalent of murder. You would actually murder an innocent baby to save a pets life?

Shenshen · 09-01-2015 12:35PM

Yamanoto wrote: »

Always amazes me just how quickly many owners who profess a real love of their dogs are to replace their furry pals, once they've kicked the bucket.

Find that really odd tbh.

Really? You can't see that they would want to fill the void left by their pet's death?

Grayson · 09-01-2015 12:36PM

Graces7 wrote: »

It is too the dependency dogs feel for us, their dire need of us Their utter devotion, for a dog is not complete without its person. Mine sleep if I am not around then wake suddenly and race to me when I appear . That alone means so much to people who have little affection in their lives

What's the saying? "Dogs have owners, cats have servants"

Frigga_92 · 09-01-2015 12:38PM

Grayson wrote: »

As far as I'm concerned letting someone die when you could rescue them is the equivalent of murder. You would actually murder an innocent baby to save a pets life?

Yeah, that's exactly what I said, well done.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:40PM

Topper Harley wrote: »

A dog is the only creature that that loves you more than he loves himself.

"Dogs look up to you. Cats look down on you. Give me a pig any day. He looks you square in the eye as his equal." - Winston Churchill

I dont believe either of these statements, from my own experience. Dogs are incomplete without their person or people. Is that really love? Or just his make up? My cats do not look down on me but then they are rescues from an early age and I have never seen this allegedly aloof cat thing

Shenshen · 09-01-2015 12:41PM

This is going to turn into yet another cats vs dogs thread now, isn't it?

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:41PM

Grayson wrote: »

What's the saying? "Dogs have owners, cats have servants"

Not my cats! I would actually reverse that saying.

Graces7 · 09-01-2015 12:42PM

Shenshen wrote: »

This is going to turn into yet another cats vs dogs thread now, isn't it?

Nah" I have both happily...

Bebo stunnah · 09-01-2015 12:43PM

Grayson wrote: »

There was a survey where people were asked what they'd rescue from a burning building, their pet or a random baby.

That might explain alot of the answers. Also, why is there a random baby in my burning building. Where the hell are it's parents and why arent they rescuing it?
Being a dog owner, I can tell you I wouldn't leave it in some randomers burning house.
Says a lot about baby owners really.

People who care more for their pets than fellow humans

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