Why do YOU have pets?

[Brown Lioness]

I guess I ask this question because Im supposing everyone has their reasons. I'm a prospective future dog owner, so I ask around for perspective, but lately, all I hear are non-sensible ones or just flat out bad ones. Some people sound like they'd rather not have their pets at all (I hope they don't treat their pets like that tho)!

I've heard comments like "Pets are WORSE than children!" and "They never give to you like you give to them."

Do ya'll feel that's true, at least in a sense or no?

So, I'll ask, why do you have pets?

[Sailor]

I grew up with animals. My dad is a veterinarian, specializing in large breed dogs. So we always had at least 5 dogs around the house. Both our own dogs and fosters through rescue organizations. Truth be told, I can't imagine NOT having a dog.

As for what you get out of it, well, here's the truth: you will get out of your dog as much as you put into him/her. Most dogs are happy, and want to please ... but they also need that alpha to lead them. If you can't be alpha, they WILL. And that's when behavioural problems come in.

I have a GSD (German Shepherd) and, I have to say, I love spending time with him more than some of my friends. He's got a sense of humor, he smiles, he's got tons of energy, tons of character, drive, etc. It's like having a best friend. For him, the sun sets and rises with me. There is nothing that dog wouldn't do for me. (It's actually really great for my self-esteem.)

But, I put A LOT of training, time, energy, and money into him. So, our relationship is the way it is because of the work I've put into it. Not everyone enjoys the work which comes with establishing such a relationship. Some parts are easy to work on, and some parts are really difficult. I happen to love dogs, and love the process of establishing communication with them, of training them, etc. It's not for everyone (which is why so many dogs end up in shelters).

And, of course, depending on what type of dog you get, the work level will vary. You don't have to put as much work into a pug as you would a GSD. If you're ready to put the work and time into it, you'll get a lot of love, happinness, fun, wonder, excitement, etc. out of it. If you don't put any work into it, all you will get is a lot of frustration, anger, unhappinness, etc. A lot of it is up to you really. That and making sure to match up the right dog to your lifestyle, i.e. don't get a GSD if you are a couch potato.

[Brown Lioness]

Ok, this makes more sense to me now and it puts perspective on what some of the people I know have told me. One person that has been complaining about her dogs, is probably because she doesnt take care of them really, her parents do (like she literally lives in another place than her and her dogs), so she's probably seeing them as more of burdens and that type of thing.


Its just that Ive heard SO MUCH bad about having pets than good, its like WOW, why does ANYONE have pets then if its so bad and burdensome??

Originally Posted by Sailor

I grew up with animals. My dad is a veterinarian, specializing in large breed dogs. So we always had at least 5 dogs around the house. Both our own dogs and fosters through rescue organizations. Truth be told, I can't imagine NOT having a dog.

As for what you get out of it, well, here's the truth: you will get out of your dog as much as you put into him/her. Most dogs are happy, and want to please ... but they also need that alpha to lead them. If you can't be alpha, they WILL. And that's when behavioural problems come in.

I have a GSD (German Shepherd) and, I have to say, I love spending time with him more than some of my friends. He's got a sense of humor, he smiles, he's got tons of energy, tons of character, drive, etc. It's like having a best friend. For him, the sun sets and rises with me. There is nothing that dog wouldn't do for me. (It's actually really great for my self-esteem.)

But, I put A LOT of training, time, energy, and money into him. So, our relationship is the way it is because of the work I've put into it. Not everyone enjoys the work which comes with establishing such a relationship. Some parts are easy to work on, and some parts are really difficult. I happen to love dogs, and love the process of establishing communication with them, of training them, etc. It's not for everyone (which is why so many dogs end up in shelters).

And, of course, depending on what type of dog you get, the work level will vary. You don't have to put as much work into a pug as you would a GSD. If you're ready to put the work and time into it, you'll get a lot of love, happinness, fun, wonder, excitement, etc. out of it. If you don't put any work into it, all you will get is a lot of frustration, anger, unhappinness, etc. A lot of it is up to you really. That and making sure to match up the right dog to your lifestyle, i.e. don't get a GSD if you are a couch potato.

[Susana]

I grew up with dogs and always felt like they were basically my siblings!

We have a cat and a rabbit right now and we had and dearly loved a golden retriever who had to go to sleep almost a month ago (I am still mourning)...for me, I have to have animals around because I love them and I love caring for them and I love the attention they give back to me.

I love all of my pets equally and they all bring something different to the family...the cat is a diva and hilarious, the rabbit is so affectionate and adorable, and my dog was really one of my best friends- she was always with me, kept me company and was in tune with my feelings. She was my baby and I miss her so so much. I have to say the statement that you don't get back from your pets what you put into them is so wrong, IMO.

Now, taking care of them is time consuming and sometimes gross-ever clean a rabbit's cage out? Or cleaned up cat fur balls? Give a golden retriever a bath? Haul 50 lb bags of dog food out to the car and into the house? Walka a dog when it's snowing outside when all you really want to do is stay inside?
It's a committment a lot of people change their minds about having once the animal has been with them a little while, or isn't the cute puppy or kitten anymore. Some people can't cut the mustard and that's okay. But I like doing all that stuff (maybe not the rabbit cage and fur balls).

Pets are great. I think life would be boring without them.

Good luck with your new doggie

[greenegirl]

I have 3 cats and have almost always had cats since I was a child. It is kind of hard to answer the question! Just like I can't imagine life without DH, I can't imagine life without my cats. My cats are indoor cats (although we let them out in the yard to play, but our yard is fenced and DH or I are always supervising to make sure they don't get out) and one time one of them ran away right after we moved to a new area. It took 24 hours for him to come home and I was literally throwing up because I was so worried about him.

The thing I find amazing about living with pets is how each one has their own little personality and needs, just like people! My girl, Pepper, loves to sleep ON you. Especially on your stomach when you are lying down. Puck loves to sleep on our bed (he spends more time sleeping on it than I do) and when anyone sleeps on the bed, he comes and cuddles up beside them and purrs loudly. Tiger is a demanding male diva and will meow incessantly in your face or even nip at your hand until you pet him. He prefers to sleep cuddled up near your armpit (he has a weird armpit obsession and loves to try to lick your naked pit). Or he will crawl under the covers and sleep curled up between your feet.

Anyway, this is just one thing -- sleeping -- and the point is each of them has unique preferences. In many other aspects of their lives (eating, sleeping, litter habits, where and how they chase their tails, etc) you see each of these little preferences every day. I think it is great fun to have them around and try to figure out just what they are thinking.

Also, they are so attached to us. The best example is Tiger and DH. When we got Tiger, he was only 7 or 8 weeks old and a 1 pound fluff ball. Now he is more than 18 pounds!!! But DH was working from home when we got him, and Tiger would spend entire days sleeping on DH's lap. Now, Tiger LOVES DH. When he hears DH come home from work, he runs to greet him and starts meowing and meowing to DH. I say Tiger is trying to tell DH everything that happened to him today. Tiger will follow DH all around the house, even when DH is pacing like he does when he talks on the phone. If DH is sitting still, Tiger has to be in the same room as him. It is hysterical!

Anyway, I'm kind of rambling and I could tell cat stories all day long. But what I am really trying to say is that I feel pets add so much to your life that why count the cost/effort? Every relationship needs maintenance of some type or another and pets are no different.

[shannon0218]

It's all summed up on my favorite mug. "If your dog thinks you're the greatest, don't seek a second opinion"
Do my dogs drive me nuts sometimes, YEP, but then so does my dh and my dd. And I'll throw it out there that sometimes I may drive them nuts too, but I never drive my dogs nuts, even when I'm in a BAD mood, they still think I'm the greatest!

[kanga1622]

We have a dog because it is extremely important to me. I grew up with small dogs. When I went away to college and when we first moved out on our own, DH and I lived in a no-pet rental. It was absolutely awful for me. I felt so alone when DH was working.

I love having our pup to greet me every time I walk through the door. He's happy to see me whether I've been away 5 minutes or 5 days. He keeps me company when DH is working when I am not; he cheers me up when I'm sick or feeling down.

The unconditional love that comes along with a pet is something truly remarkable to me. Although we sometimes get tired of his desire to go outside every 20 minutes on cool summer days, the joy that we get more than makes up for the inconveniences.

My life just doesn't seem complete without a dog and DH really enjoys it now that he's been living with a dog. I don't think either of us could go back to living without a dog.

[BlueDogGirl]

I have animals because I can't imagine NOT having them in my life. The only time I have ever been petless was when I lived in the dorms in college, and even then I managed to acquire a pet rat before the year was out. They do require work I guess, but it doesn't seem like work to me, and it's not that difficult. My four year old DS does nearly everything for his little dog on his own (with reminders from me) and manages quite nicely.

[aparent]

The reasons for having pets are too numerous to list and too wonderful to adequately describe. Children should be raised with pets and animals in general help human beings to understand what it is to be human by living with something alive, similar but very different. One of my favorite things these days about my cats is their love of nature, of life, and their deeply sensual love of the sense of being alive. My cats bring the weather inside to me with its blusteriness or its heat or it cold; mirroring the weather in their moods and smells. They drink the sunlight.
Dogs are more social, more tuned into the family (human and animal) than any human being could be. The family, the pack, you, are life itself; they move with the rhythm of the family's heart.
Within each species the animals have incredibly different personalities with individual contributions to your life as well.

"Life is a series of dogs." George Carlin

[Sailor]

Originally Posted by aparent

.... The family, the pack, you, are life itself; they move with the rhythm of the family's heart. ....

I love how you phrased this! What a truly wonderful description. It completely matches my experiences with the dogs throughout my life.

[bellona]

I'm not a big animal and i'd almost rather not have pets . But I don't treat them like I don't like them. I like them as 'people', yk? Just not a huge animal person...like my dd who is going to have millions of dogs when she grows up

I have pets because I can't say no. When an animal is being mistreated or neglected an I have the opportunity to take it and give it a good and loving home (no matter how inconvenient it is to me) I just can't pass it up.

[BookGoddess]

I can't imagine a life without animals. I've always had pets. My first word was the name of our dog at the time. I've been an animal person from Day One. I'm like the PP who couldn't say "no" to an abused animal. People know to turn to me when there's a problem with a pet.

I have a magnet on my fridge that sums up my feelings. It says "Some day I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am".

I get so much out of my pets (a Sheltie mix dog, 5 semi-stray cats, and a Mini Lop bunny). They add a dimension to my life that is priceless. The companionship, the laughter, joy, spontaneity, support, outweigh the bad moments like picking up doggy poop or clipping the nails on a very resistant squirmy bunny.

[CrazyCatLady]

I'm not going to lie. My cats are a pain in the butt sometimes. I have a rescued turkish van and a rescued deaf turkish angora. I've never owned a kitten, we only adopt older cats. They are stubborn, bossy, loud, and demanding. But they also are super cute, cuddly, amusing to watch and play with, plus they let my daughter dress them up in silly things and ride them like a horse.

I personally have pets not only because I love them, but because I feel obligated to help them. I have a big house, yard, and the money for food and vet bills. There is no reason why I shouldn't rescue a cat or two and give them a good life. Plus pets are great when you feel icky. I can just pet a cat or dog all day when I feel sick or sad, it's so soothing.

My deaf cat, Drift. Came to us when she was 5 years old. She weighed 6 pounds, was terrified of everything and everyone. She was bald due to her nerves. She'd puke and pee herself if you tried to touch her. In other words, she was a mess and if I hadn't of adopted her, they would have put her to sleep (and this was at a no kill shelter). You should see this cat now. She weighs 16 pounds, has a beautiful coat, loves people, loves car rides, is tolerant of my dd, is a total lap cat and just a sweety to have around. It took a couple years for her to heal from her past abuse. But nothing makes me feel better than seeing first hand how much helping out a pet in need can make a difference in their lives (and mine).

[bellona]

Helping an animal heal is very rewarding. I had a cat once that I tricked to come into my house after its very abusive owner decided she didn't want to move it with her and let her go RIGHT NEAR A MAJOR HIGHWAY!!! :

She was so skittish it wasn't funny. She would stay on the other side of our apartment in the far side of our bedroom and wouldn't let anyone near her for any reason. It turned out she was pg, and by the time she gave birth she was comfortable enough that she climbed into dd's crib and did it by her head. She would lay at the top of the stairs and let us step right over her without batting an eye.

Makes me sad we had to get rid of her and the kittens

[SunShineSally]

For one I LOVE animals they are so loving and you could say they looka the world or you with the most trusting and pure eyes. I had a pup for most of my life I got him when I was 3 and he passed when I was almost 21 as you can imagine I was a wreck and thought I could NEVER have another animal but I got my little girl my kitty I found the house and my life had a different feel with out a pet I would never beable to get a pet as soon as some do It took almost 2 years for me to beable to get my kitty she has been a great joy in Ds and my life she is wonderful I got her at the SPCA and I am sad that I missed out on her kittenhood because she is so loving and motherly to Ds it is so funny to watch her I do love her but not he way I loved my pup. I have to say though that we did very very little training with my pup (but he was so small and easy to control) and we all eveyone in my family got more than we could have asked for with him he was a little snot we could call him running around like mad trying to find him and he would be laying on the couch (he was a little peekapoo who blended in with the couch) watching us and I am sure as the sky is blue he waas laughing but that is one of the reasons we loved him so much he did and wanted what he wanted he was more of an independent kindda pup but he was also extreamily dependent at the same time he LOVED when we were there but didn't care when we weren't. He was a cuddle bug but only when HE felt like it he had a mind of his own and knew that even if he didn't want to do what we wanted that we still loved him he was surely not your typical dog but ohh how he was there when you needed him he was the best listener I ever knew I could talk to him for hours and I swear he took in every word when I was done if I was sad he laid on me and feel asleep if I was happy or just content he would kiss me and runaway. He was kndda like a cat dog he would jump and climb on things he walked across the couch and slept on top of the couch the funny thing is my cat is a cat dog she needs lots of lovens and attention but I am happy she is like that animals are like another member of the family they bring something to your family that no one else can or could now our animals our not our animals they are another addition to the family. I do not like when people treat them like "animals" I do not know if that makes sense to anyone.

But what I am trying to say in all my rambleing I like many others have said I could go on and on and on and onabout my pets. But, they bring something to your life that a "person" could never beable to bring.

Karen baby Joe and Lita

[mamallama]

I have cats b/c I'm a sucker. Both of my cats were hard luck orphans--basically I brought them home to die and they didn't. I feed them good food and give them medical attention, but I let them come and go as they please. In return, they keep my house free of rodents and look decorative.

Our fish are decorative, but also educational in a microcosmic sort of way.

My dogs...I'm really struggling to describe my relationship with my dogs in a meaningful way....aparent said it really well.

My dogs have a job. Their job is to make my life easier. I send them outside with the kids. I send them in the house with the kids when I'm outdoors. I trust them to guard us not because they're aggressive (LOL!) but because they have protective instincts and they know their place in our pack.

We live in a seedy neighborhood. They hold down the fort while we're away. They're overjoyed to see us when we return. Their accepting and loving presence is a comfort in times of sorrow, and they magnify the happiness in times of joy. They make nice pillows while we watch tv.

They shed, and they're expensive to feed, and they poop in the yard, and sometimes they get sick...and eventually they die. I lost a dog a year ago and I'm still grieving. But I'm glad I had the privilege of knowing his gentle spirit.

[familylove]

I currently have two dogs and two cats; I've always had animals in my life. They are my companions. I learn from my animals that love isn't always easy b/c they do get sick, they do have behavioral problems, they do pass away. I've learned to accept them for who they are even if others can't. There is also a great satisfaction in meeting the responsibility it takes to be a good caretaker.

The other reason I always have animals around is that I have a passion about homeless animals. I've worked for a humane society and have seen the really horrible part of what it is to be an "unwanted" animal. We have made these animals a part of our society and it is our responsibility to care for them. By taking in as many animals as my living situation allows, I feel like I am doing a very small part in aiding animals that rely on US to remove them from their bad situations. My fantasy in life is to move out to a big ole patch of land and open an animal rescue. OK...stepping down off my soapbox.

And of course the number one reason I love having animals around is that they love you unconditionally. Your dog doesn't care if you don't have a job or you just lost your cool with your neighbor. He just wants a kiss and a hug and some scratches behind the ears

[Brown Lioness]

:

[mata]

I've always been with lots of animals-horses, dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, etc etc etc.

The reason why we have a dog and cat now is not unsimilar to the reason why we chose to have children-we have a lot of love to share, and I feel a very strong sense of obligation to care for animals. I feel my higher power wants me to give a good home/life to my animals. I remember when I decided to stay home after having my first child-my dog was very much a part of that decision!

[frog]

aparent, that was just a beautiful post. Thank you.

We have four cats in our blended family. When my ex and I split, she took the cat with her (by mutual agreement--Her Crankiness chose toad when we were at the humane society, looking). I spent a few months in a cat-free home, to see whether my allergies would be any better. They were, but, to me, a house just isn't a home without a cat, so I adopted two kittens.

turtle brought two littermates to the lilypad. Everyone gets along really well, for the most part.

I'd never had more than one pet at a time (and always cats) until I brought Mason and Kissa home. Now, we often say that our lives are full of cats, and we couldn't be happiers. There's always someone snuggling, and someone playing. They're hilarious and sweet and smart and talkative. I can't imagine our lives without the cats.