I may have mentioned this before, but I don’t really like pets at all. If you are a pet lover, you may not want to read the rest of this. If you choose to do so, I apologize in advance for offending you.
If it weren’t for the kids’ desire to have pets, we would definitely not have any. After just finishing cleaning up a mess on the floor, I’m of the mindset that we might not have any for long anyway, regardless of what the kids think.
Part of the specific problem in this case is the child who wanted the pets the most, and therefore promised to take care of them (including keeping the litter box clean) has not consistently lived up to their end of the bargain, leading to the cats finding other places to do their business. Luckily, we made it very clear up front that since I don’t want pets, I am not going to pick up the slack when those chores don’t get done. Therefore, it might soon be getting to the point where we have to investigate other options.
Although this individual incident is relatively small, it brings to the forefront some of my primary reasons for preferring not to have pets - namely the smell and messiness factor (hair, etc.). Even from when I was a kid and we had two dogs, I never really liked or wanted them. Perhaps it was that fact coupled with the fact that the cleanup was included in my chores list that psychologically influenced my position on them today, I don’t know.
This isn’t to say that I don’t like animals per se, but more that I don’t like the implications (or even the concept) of living with them. The physical implications I’ve already covered, but even the idea has always kind of bugged me. I’m sure that there are plenty of mentally balanced pet lovers out there, but I also know (and have known) some who undeniably have “issues” as it relates to the animals they live with.
(Here comes the part where I will probably offend people, so I’m warning you again to stop reading…)
This is strictly my opinion, but it’s my belief that animals are not “people”. I believe God put them on the earth, along with everything else he gave us (plants, minerals, etc.), for a purpose, and that we should respect them and even care for them in an environmentally conscious and humane way. I think it’s also pretty clear that God created humans in his image, and as such, we are uniquely different than all other creatures. That being said, when people elevate the status of a particular animal to that of a “person”, it’s my opinion that there’s something off about that. For me, it’s partially the fact that there are the psychological implications of making up a “friend” that you can project emotions into without fear of them disappointing in the way that real people can. It’s also maybe the apparent inconsistency of the idea of people considering their pets as “people” while essentially treating them as (or maybe even worse than) slaves would be treated, as far as food, shelter, etc. goes. I think it may also be my perception that I think we have so far to go as a society in terms of caring for other humans, that I think we should maybe expend more resources on that than we do on pet supplies.
I’m by no means saying that all pet owners have these issues, but you’ve got to agree that some do, and that to some extent it’s a bit unhealthy. (Well, I guess you don’t have to agree, but you get what I’m saying). In conclusion, if you are a perfectly sane and balanced pet owner, please don’t assume I’m talking about you.
2 Comments
I will always remember from my childhood my mom’s constantly yelling “that, DAMN cat”. And I tease her to the day (her is serious the only bad word she said). I had a cat my whole life until I moved out…and then discovered that yeah I’m really not an animal person. They take, take take! I pay to house them, feed them, clean them, etc and all they do is shit! And some…most be walked! At least me kids will grow older, get jobs and when I’m old and crazy they clean up my shit. I don’t see any animal doing that….well I’ll give you those “seeing-eye” dogs…but that is it!
I just sat down and INTENTIONALLY did a search on pets’ purpose…I found your blog site. Thank God there is somebody else out there who feels a little bothered by all this “pet loving” we have here in America! I have a dog. She’s a good dog. But My husband and I got her together in college. I suppose you could say we did it in order to “play house” with her acting as our “child”. More psych issues there too it seems. I completely admit that those were not good reasons to get a dog and that for the most part these are similar to the reasons MOST people get a pet. They want to love and nurture somebody. Instead of going to the trouble to seek out a HUMAN to love they’d rather just transfer those needs onto an animal who serves that purpose without all the “complicated” requirements a real person demands.
Anyhow, I am now a mother of 5 and a homeschooler too and having the dog with her pooping and her getting sick on the floor occasionally, and her hair…it’s just too much work for what?
I ask myself what does she bring to the family? to the world? She hasn’t a soul. No matter how “good” a dog she is (and she is a good dog) she truly serves no purpose that demands she be elevated to living amongst humans and be cared for by them…
If I try to articulate these feelings to others they look at me in horror. These poor innocent animals - how can I be so heartless. I love animals in the same way you described but I do recognize that as people we have a GREATER responsibility to other humans first. My dog and most others I know live a better existence than most people of third world countries do! Air conditioning, three meals a day, medical care, clean water, and the occasional trip to the “salon”. We are obligated to see that our human brothers and sisters are treated at least as well as our PETS are aren’t we?
Anyhow, I’m grateful for this outlet to speak my mind… Kris