I love birds. I love birds in general, and I also love the four specific birds who live in my home.
I am interested in the concept of petkeeping, because as Stephen H. Webb has pointed out, "In a world obsessed with economics, and driven by the maximization of resources and the bottom line of profits, relationships that defy cost-benefit analysis are rare and inherently valuable." Keeping a pet is such a relationship.
Many Americans keep pets, especially dogs and cats, for no other reason than because they love their pets.
Why do we keep pets, pay for them, even seek out new pets, in order to love them? Is it an example of Western cultural decadence? Is it an indicator of how lonely and devoid of meaning our lives and work have become?
What kind of pets do you have? Do you plan to have pets the rest of your life? Why or why not?
-NDSR
Comments (15)
I have a dog. She's great. Chill. But I also honestly really like goats. It's a common joke in my life now. I once told a group of professors who were interviewing me that I wanted to own a goat, in response to their question, "What are you long-term goals?"
I have a cat, a dog and a tortoise. My dog is an attempt to replace the hole left in my heart by my first poodle, Fifi. Fifi was a gift on my first birthday and I named him. He was my soul mate. Without him, I would not know that I want to devote the rest of my life to ensuring the health and safety of animals. My new dog is my companion, and to be honest, probably my best friend. I would give up my life to make sure he was ok, and I nearly did one. He ran into oncoming traffic and I ran right behind him, not caring about my safety but his own. Obviously, I am too young to have children, but my dog can fill that void in my heart until the time is right.
That being said, I will always have a black toy poodle for the rest of my life. Each poodle will be an homage to my first, to the love of my life. If I hadn't had a toy poodle I would be a big dog person. I want a great dane and a grey hound, but those will have to wait.
Now I'm sure you can assume I'm a dog person, but I love my cat as well. He's just much more independent and I feel like he doesn't need me like my dog does. Still, I know my cat is grateful when I take care of him, it's just not the same kind of contentment as having my dog.
i do! :)
I love cats but my wife is completely allergic. I fear and dislike dogs but my wife loves them. I'm against birds in cages but would like to have an exotic saltwater aquarium.
I know that whatever animal we decide on, when we can afford to feed another mouth, I will be the one to clean up all the messes, so I have used a rare form of relational filibuster to delay that moment as long as possible.
I think we like to have pets just for the pure joy and delight of it. God created some lovely, fascinating creatures that can make us feel happy.
We have a springer spaniel, two snails, and a verrry cranky bird named Zippy. And I don't know about having pets later in my life. I think a cat would be nice, since my dad is allergic and I've never had a pet cat. I could live without animals though.
I have no pets. My mom has a cat. We're not friendly with one another. One day I would like a small dog because it is nice having more responsibility. Nurturing animals connects us to creation as a whole as well as our own human nature (purpose). Plus, fuzzy things rule.
Correction: SOME fuzzy things rule.
Well I love dogs. I find them as a companion. A good friend when I'm lonely. They said dogs are man's bestfriend. So when in need, you can just have them to rely on. They're also God's creation so we are stewards of 'em too.
i have dogs and cats. When the cats are gone there will be no more cats.
Back home I have two female basset hounds. I'm in college now and I miss their company dreadfully. I had no idea how difficult it would be for me to live without a furry friend or two hanging around to keep my company.
I've grown up with basset hounds my ENTIRE life. We had Misty since before I was born, until I was 8. Just shortly after Misty passed away, we got Mitchell and then a little later Maxwell. Mitchell currently resides with my grandparents (he had an immense hate for my neighbor, so my grandparents offered to take him) and Maxwell just passed away a little over a year ago. About a month after Max passed away we adopted Mel and Maya from a rescue league (they were previously in an abusive breeding situation). All that to say, I've spent only a tiny percentage of my life without basset hounds in my life (we never waited too long between dogs).
I can't imagine not having more pets in the future. The only reason I wouldn't is if I marry someone who absolutely refuses to have pets. There's just nothing on earth quite like the love between a caring person and their dog (or other pets, I suppose). They have kept me from being lonely, saved me from boredom, and just been amazing companions. Who really knows why?
I love my beagle, Macey. I don't know why. It costs money to feed her, buy her toys, take her to the vet, etc. And after all that love and devotion, she poops in my floor. But she'll be a part of my life for the next 15 years or so provided nothing happens to her, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I plan on having a pet dog the rest of my life, but don't tell my soon-to-be-wife that. She says after Macey dies, that's it. (But I've already told Macey that she's totally replaceable. And if she wants to try to run away and gets run over by a car, I'm buying another one of her the next week.)
fuzzy furbals rock, but I don't have any. Living at home with 'rents who shirk pet duty makes it difficult. But I like anything from mice to good-sized dogs and cats; I can't stand dogs that are so small that they are a tripping hazard (you want something that small, go get a gerbil). Not sure if I'll ever have a pet, they don't have them at the convent I'm looking at; it's not Franciscan.
I have no pets. I don't intend to get any. Ever.
I somewhat appreciate what pets can offer. However, I find them not worth the hassle.
I'm also disturbed when people are more moved to stop animal suffering than human suffering (not trying to pull the conversation in another direction; I just found it relevant).
If my kid(s) ends up wanting a pet later on, I'm not necessarily opposed to it. With kids (or anyone I guess), I think it can teach responsibility.
i get my dog pet a pet gate so he can move freely inside our house.because i believe that having an animals as a pet is a big responsibility.We have to take good care of them like our own.Giving them the right food and shelter is one of the best care we can give.
getting my dog a pet gate so that some of the places are safe from his running around..because i believe that having an animals as a pet is a big responsibility.We have to take good care of them like our own.Giving them the right food and shelter is one of the best care we can give.