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Hello lovely people, thank you for all your stories :) I love to hear about all the good times you have with your pets; non-pet people don't know what they're missing!
garner, what a menagerie you have! I am pleased you treat them all: birthdays are special for everyone! Jack thanks you for your wishes ;)
TIGGERLIT that's mad! Hope your little one had a good day; sounds like you throw aoo the best parties!
lankeela you are very right (need I say!) As long as you don't "baby" a dog, I think there isn't a problem with treating them as a member of the family: after all, they undoubtedly are for most people!
paddywak, I was full of good intentions when we got Jack, my first dog. However, as well as creeping into our hearts, he's also managed to creep onto the sofa and onto our bed at night when my partner's at work and I am asleep and oblivious! And as long as he gets off when we tell him, I couldn't give a flying...They are truly special aren't they :)
bm thank you to you and Porsche of course! Jack blushed at the kiss, but soon asked me to return it!
hundreddolla, in a way yes it is anthropomorphising, but wild animals and pets are somewhat different contextually: if you get a pet, I would argue that it becomes a member of your family. I wouldn't bring a wild animal home (although I would love a lemur!) and expect it to live as a pet would. And as long as you don't make them too human, in expecting them to reason and be reasoned with, then it's not a problem. What IS a problem is the woman I see with her kids on the way to school-she has a ratty little miniature something in a coat that yaps at everything on the way past, without a word from her-totally antisocial...last time I saw her, she was CARRYING it! Much like you would hold a baby in fact....Disturbing!
Jack sends woofs to you all :)