Pets and Human Well Being.

[Shadow Man]

As you know I love animals and nature but due to my lifestyle the only pets I have are garden pond fish. They are hardly great friends of mine.

My parents have two absolutely adorable St Bernard dogs. My mother honestly treats them like Royalty. She hires personal life guards when she takes them near water, they eat the finest beef, fowl and venison and even have electric blankets in the ruddy winter!!! I had dogs and hunting hounds (NOT FOR FOXES!!!!!!) all through my childhood and just accepted that they were like family.

Nowadays, since my parents retirement, my Mother states they make her feel good. They give her a will to get out in all weathers and when she is alone they are her best friends. She has become increasingly concerned re some artritis the b!tch of the two has. And as St Bernard fans know, you really can't keep the dogs indoors or rest them.

My questions.

Are animals really that good for the soul?

Can the death of a dog really be like losing a child?

Is my Mother's behaviour, bless her, normal? She is 57 and already has quite a fulfilling life with an excellent son.

[4getmenot]

I hate dogs, but yes they are good for some peoples soul and it can be liking losing a child

[RATTER15]

I would say she is totally normal!! Whatever happened?

[raysparx1]

Hi wardy, yes they are good for the soul and the body, cos walking them keeps you fit and stroking them is very relaxing, I have always had dogs, and when my last one died two years ago I was very upset, she was a a beautiful german shepherd who adored me and was so protective of me, we went everywhere together, it took a long time to get over it, it does seem mad that some people do become very attached to pets, but they do, they never judge you, just sit there looking and listening to all my moans, so to me your mum is being very normal.

[B00]

1- yes they are really that good.

2- Definitely

3- Yes normal, and how many sons does she have if one of them is "excellent"?

;-)

[Shadow Man]

But did you wonderful beast Uncle Raymondo have an electric blanket??

Sorry to hear about your loss, I know you can not replace her in "person", but have you got another one?

[Shadow Man]

Booster Girl, I am an only child. Therefore, ergo, alas, henceforth, the excellent one is me, silly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Octavius]

Yes if you like animals then they are good for the soul and can provide companionship (probably not fish though). Owning a pet is a commitment that many take for granted. If you don�t like animals, then you are either allergic or strange!

I would say losing a dog or a cat is more like losing a member of your close family, probably not a child though.

Given the offspring, she is doing remarkably well! She probably misses her little cherub and feels like her dogs are her real children now. Nothing wrong with that providing she retains some perspective of course.

[raysparx1]

Lol @B00 No wardy she never had electric blanket, or best beef, we haven't got another one, and don't know if we will, cos at the moment we are out a lot and having lots of weekends away, and thats not fair on the dog.

[bigmamma]

Yes I think dogs can be good for the soul. My dog is a good companion and we look after each other. :-)

[johnlambert]

1)Yes, although like 4getmenot I hate dogs however cats are the perfect pet
2)yes , especialy if as you say the creatures were so spoilt they had electric blankets
3)Again yes I suspect your mother treated her dogs as children so, you could argue that you were not an only child as you claim

[kp nonuts]

Bloody hell ray you have just bought a tear to my eye that is so true my golden retriever is just like a best friend to me

[raysparx1]

Hello Knobby, great to have a dog ain't it, they are like friends, just want to be with you all the time, don't ask much out of life do they and they do know if something is wrong cos they come and put there head on your knee and just look up at you, keep enjoying it mate, they can be great company. and even if we are butt ugly they don't care do they. have good weekend. few pints of john smiths for me tonight.

[kp nonuts]

Have a good un ray have just got in from work g/f in bed as she works nights,walked in front door dog immediately comes up to me wagging his tail then walks away and brings one of his toys to me ahhh.

Anyway sat down on computer and he comes up to me and gives me the look that he has not been fed yet so thought that g/f had not fed him yet as in bed so gets his food and says to him right if you have been fed tell me now, so he gives me one of his looks so I thinks ok will take your word for it.
Gives him his food then gets a shout from upstairs I hope you have not fed the dog as hes already been fed. The crafty little sod he might have told me.
Sorry shadow for hi-jacking your question a bit and I know how much your parents love their dogs but do think they are just a little ott on some things, but hey...

[whiffey]

(these are called gooey moments)

[kp nonuts]

Shut up whiffey

[Goodsoulette]

A friend of mine had a dog die once, she actually said to me "it would be like you having Jay die" I was horrified, now it might be like having my cat die but not like my child. I then went and sat down and her boyfriend came and apologised despite me saying nothing but thinking that was a dumb thing to say.

Animals are nice company but cannot replace human interaction.

[pinkkitty]

we've got 3 dogs, 2 are cocker spaniels and the other is a shih tzu puppy. I love my fur babies to bits! I'd always thought of myself as a "cat person" till we got our first dogs 3 1/2 years ago. We have a lovely little cat as well, but i feel so much closer to my dogs. They really are like children to us. We can't have any children of our own, (and even of we could, i don't think we would) but we don't overly pamper them. just give them lots of love and make sure they're fed and watered. They will always come and sit with you if they think you need cheering up, and they bring us joy every day with their big eyes and waggy tails.

god i sound soppy! but its true - i love my dogs!

[dot.hawkes]

my dogs are Bingo nearly 12 and max ,about 10max was a rescue dog) we have had Bingo since he was 8 weeks old and ot is hard to imagine him not being in the house now. he is epileptic and not very strong but he has lots of energy. max is a thief and is annoying, but he is part of the family. i also feel that Bingo in particular is very very loyal towards us, he would probbly be the sort of dog that would fight off a lion to protect me and mine. i know one day he will not be with us, but the way he is pampered he may well outlive me!!!

[leelapops]

1. Yes, like living chicken soup :)
2. Yes, if you see your pet as like a child to you (I must admit, Jack is well and truly my fur-baby!)
3. Yes it is normal. Dogs give you a reason to get up in the morning. I never knew happiness until I got a dog, and I mean that sincerely!