Why do humans have pets?

[Brigandier]

Our german shepherd LOVES to play fetch with a ball - usually a basketball or soccer ball. She can easily grab either in her mouth. Damn thing thinks that the watermelons in the garden are balls. I keep opening the door to find more watermelons sitting there. The weird thing is, she doesn't puncture the watermelons with her teeth. But, when I was teaching her to fetch a beer for me (wanted to get her to get the beer out of the fridge), she punctured every single can. Eventually, I gave up. Well, only temporarily. Someone suggested putting all the cans in koozies in the fridge. Training shall resume.

Oh, another reason for pet ownership:

"Gia, get me a beer!"

"Soft mouth." That's why shepherds and police admire the breed.

 

[OlafSicky]

Our german shepherd LOVES to play fetch with a ball - usually a basketball or soccer ball. She can easily grab either in her mouth. Damn thing thinks that the watermelons in the garden are balls. I keep opening the door to find more watermelons sitting there. The weird thing is, she doesn't puncture the watermelons with her teeth. But, when I was teaching her to fetch a beer for me (wanted to get her to get the beer out of the fridge), she punctured every single can. Eventually, I gave up. Well, only temporarily. Someone suggested putting all the cans in koozies in the fridge. Training shall resume.

Oh, another reason for pet ownership:

"Gia, get me a beer!"

Perhaps by ruining your beer in cans she was trying to tell you to start drinking the good stuff in bottles:biggrin:

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Our german shepherd LOVES to play fetch with a ball - usually a basketball or soccer ball. She can easily grab either in her mouth. Damn thing thinks that the watermelons in the garden are balls. I keep opening the door to find more watermelons sitting there. The weird thing is, she doesn't puncture the watermelons with her teeth. But, when I was teaching her to fetch a beer for me (wanted to get her to get the beer out of the fridge), she punctured every single can. Eventually, I gave up. Well, only temporarily. Someone suggested putting all the cans in koozies in the fridge. Training shall resume.

Oh, another reason for pet ownership:

"Gia, get me a beer!"

Dogs love beer, and your dog is obviously smart.

Dog says, "Oh sorry dad, I punctured another beer, guess you don't want this one."

Seriously, dogs LOVE beer.

 

[Bateluer]

What is it about little creatures that makes us want to have them around? :hmm: Whether it's a dog, cat, bird, reptile, fish, you name it - humans love having animals in their lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gA_N32DwMI

 

[HamburgerBoy]

They're more receptive.

 

[cherrytwist]

They're more receptive.

I have to admit they do keep me company when the wife's not around the house.

 

[LightPattern]

What is it about little creatures that makes us want to have them around? :hmm: Whether it's a dog, cat, bird, reptile, fish, you name it - humans love having animals in their lives.

See: Philip K. Dick
It's a common theme of his.
In particular: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

 

[MagickMan]

X2
Pet owner are usually very needy selfish people. All forms of pet ownership should be banned. It's cruel to keep animals as pets. Pet ownership contributes to the destruction of our planet. The resources should be diverted to more worthwhile endeavors.

Like finding all the people like you and castrating them? :whiste:

 

[LightPattern]

X2
Pet owner are usually very needy selfish people. All forms of pet ownership should be banned. It's cruel to keep animals as pets. Pet ownership contributes to the destruction of our planet. The resources should be diverted to more worthwhile endeavors.

Vegan & recycled food eater then? The exact same arguments are made against meat/animal product eating. I can appreciate animals both inside and outside my belly.

More seriously though.. it's a more symbiotic relationship then that. Current scientific theory AFAIK is that dogs self-domesticated by coming back time and again to human trash piles. Then some of the more empathetic types (and those that recognized their utility) started keeping them purposefully.

 

[Agent11]

I'm not sure that qualifies as a pet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwegzhXAqaQ

Dirty minded chimp.

 

[ichy]

It is more cruel to live a life of slavery than to take one thankful breath.

Slavery? I dunno about dogs but people are slaves to cats.

 

[Midwayman]

Dogs love beer, and your dog is obviously smart.

Dog says, "Oh sorry dad, I punctured another beer, guess you don't want this one."

Seriously, dogs LOVE beer.

No kidding. My dog is constantly trying to sneak a sip when I have a beer.

 

[MagickMan]

No kidding. My dog is constantly trying to sneak a sip when I have a beer.

Yep, I can't walk by the dog's bowl with a beer without paying the "pet tax".

 

[Murloc]

because they're cute.

 

[Sulaco]

X2
Pet owner are usually very needy selfish people. All forms of pet ownership should be banned. It's cruel to keep animals as pets. Pet ownership contributes to the destruction of our planet. The resources should be diverted to more worthwhile endeavors.

Red Alert! We are reaching critical levels of retardation!