Quote:
Originally posted by Igottago@Sep 8 2005, 12:41 PM
I think it comes down to the fact that people feel genuine, unconditional love and loyalty from their pets. People betray you, upset you, break your heart, but your pets are always there with you, on your side.
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This is a very important aspect for certain. Various members of my family have had cats and dogs. One in particular I will never forget. "Dusty" was one of my mother's two shinguardzus (Edit, wow, that word filter replace turned out whack!!); "Vickie" was the other. Both were extremely affectionate, but Dusty had a very very strong affection for me.
When I used to fly down to Vancouver to visit my folks, it never failed that I could be well over a hundred feet from the car when Dusty would jump up and start pawwing on the window frantically in his excitement to see me. Over a hundred feet!! With all the people around, and regardless of what I was wearing, he always picked me right out. Uncanny.
Pets never "grow up" and leave home, unlike ones children. They are not expected to fend for themselves at some point. They are forever reliant on their owners for even the most basic and essential needs; food and shelter. Love and attention between owners and pets is a two-way street. The more one gives the other, the more one receives.
Although I would not choose to rescue a pet over a human in a life threatening situation, I sure as hell would do my best to help both, even at my own expense.