Anthropomorphizing our pets

[HunnyPots]

Well I for one do not put my pets on the same level as humans - that would be a huge insult to the animals!

 

[Crankyshank]

Do you mean anthropomorphize as in treating them like they are human and are equal to human children? Or as in refering to them as having personalities?


My dogs have personalities. I think all animals do -domesticated or not, but they are not humans and I don't treat them like children. Sometimes I like them better than humans though.

 

[Rozzie]

We are fans of Cesar Milan, I am my pack's leader. That being said, I have 4 dogs who I cherish. I spend a lot of time with them, and actually enjoy their company. I can't say the same about my family. Actually I mourned greater at losing my last greyhound than I did my stepfather. This reaction really concerned me, until I ran it by my therapist, who described dogs at really the only beings who are capable of giving us UNCONDITIONAL love. People can argue all day long that it's silly to love a animal like that, and sure, it is silly to dress your dog up and carry it like a purse. However, I do love my dogs, and honored to have them in my life, and no way ashamed to call them my children. (even though I may not treat them as "children" )

 

[Maleficent13]

Do you mean anthropomorphize as in treating them like they are human and are equal to human children? Or as in refering to them as having personalities?

The former.

 

[Tazicket]

My dogs have personalities. I think all animals do -domesticated or not, but they are not humans and I don't treat them like children. Sometimes I like them better than humans though.

That's how my cat is. She's got more personality than some people I know.

 

[DawnCt1]

What do you mean, anthropomorphizing pets?? Excuse me while I go do Jude's hair and take him for a ride in the car!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

Mal13, have you been watching Dr. Phil again?

 

[Mr Man]

There is disturbing evidence available that suggests OP is correct.

Island of Dr. Moreau.......well not really....but still kinda creepy....

http://www.flyaboveall.com/dogs.htm

 

[DisTeach1]

Actually, it's only since I've known the DIS that I've seen this...animals are "my" children, they are "equal" to my children, etc.

I don't feel this way...they are my pets. I love them, but I in know way place them on the same level as the human members of my family. It's not the same. I can go on vacation, and I know my dogs are okay. I would still go on vacation if my dogs were "depressed" or did not want me to.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

My brother and sister-in-law do this. They take their dog everywhere and if you don't want their dog at your house, they get mad and may not come. My SIL cries saying goodbye to her dog before vactions.

That is one of my biggest pet peeves (no pun intended ). If a friend or family member can't leave their dog/cat at home or in a kennel while they come and visit me, I consider that rude, and mostly sad.

I wonder, people like that that "can't leave their baby at home", were they that attached/over-protective w/their children?

We have a dog who is part of our family, but I wouldn't dream of taking her to someones house, even if she was invited.

 

[CathrynRose]

When did we start doing this?

I am not that old, but I do remember a time when pets were pets, not siblings for children. Many of them earned their keep (protection, mousetrap, herder, etc). Quite a few of them were "outdoor" pets.

Don't get me wrong; I like animals. I do not like to see them mistreated. I spay/neuter, get all shots, regular checkups, collars with tags, dogs never outside without a lead, cats not outside at all.

But based on some threads here lately, I just got curious as to when this trend of owning "furbabies" and not "pets" started.

I was raised like this. So for me - since the 70's.

 

[Christopher Robin]

My cat is my child.

Unless you're a talented feline with opposible thumbs typing that, then, no, she isn't your child.

 

[luvwinnie]

Well I for one do not put my pets on the same level as humans - that would be a huge insult to the animals!

Yep! lol

We bought a motorhome so our bulldog could travel with us...to some of you we are complete nuts I guess...but we are happy.

 

[Evil Genius]

I figure when the birds can go out and get a job and support themselves, then they'll be considered humans. (Hey! They're both old enough) Until then you are my pet.

 

[stacy347]

I was raised like this. So for me - since the 70's.

Same here!

We actually had a dog when were kids that would get so upset when my mom went to work that he would stand on his back legs at the window facing the driveway and howl, "Mooooommmm"! We certainly didn't teach him that, LOL, but he definitely thought he was one of the kids ~ who were we to argue?

 

[SamIAm21]

I think I put more emphasis on my pets being "like" my children, til I actually had a child. And as much as I love my new puppy and I do (he's so cute it hurts), I would never place him as an equal to my daughter. If a car were barreling down on both of them, I would grab my daughter. I would also not put my family's financial stability in jeopardy in order to save my puppy. I would do my darndest to get him what he needed, but at some point, enough would have to be enough.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

My stepmom does this. She and Dad can't come and visit because they can't leave the dogs. The dogs are welcome here. They are all small and my kids are small so she is afraid my kids will hurt them.

We have been to visit them. Then we got to listen to her freak out about the dogs when we were there. My kids did good with the dogs, I thought. We don't see my Dad much and it makes me sad. They have only seen my youngest 3 times, too bad for them.

 

[DLBDS]

My dog was 'a member of my family'. He was 'the dog' though. I was his 'owner'. I miss him dearly and still sleep with him (ashes) every night. It'll be 11 years this year since he died at age 15. He was an adult dog when I rescued him. He was my 'dog'.

 

[jenm2878]

I have a friend that thinks I'm the crazy pet lady because I have a bunch of pets and am not terribly fond of children. To me, they are two entirely different animals. (pardon the pun) My love for my pets is in no way related to my non-fondness for kids. (No, I'm not a childhater either - I adore my nieces/nephews and am considering having kids)

I love my pets but my life does not revolve around them. They stay home - that's where they belong. You'll never see me taking my cats anywhere but the vet. You'll never see DH and I feeding them at the table. You'll never see us putting clothes on them or planning vacations around them. We will, however, treat them well and take care of anything they need, medically or otherwise. I don't think this makes us nutty, it makes us responsible pet owners. Will I make sure my pets get out in a fire? You bet your @ss. Will I take them instead of my DH? No way.

Just because I adore my cats doesn't mean I value them over people. Why does it have to be one or the other? Can't I love both?

 

[LaraK]

Until I meet an animal who can support me in my old age...I will not treat them like a member of the family.