Why do we invest so much emotion into our pets?

[Atlantean]

My sister finally decided that she has to put her cat to sleep and it is really sad because he is such a nice cat. He has some kind of mouth disease I think, but I am not sure exactly what it is. She has had him for the past 9 years and he is one of the nicest cats that our family has had. I know that it is his time and I accept it, but she is very very sad and I think she wants to change her mind about putting him down. Why do we invest so much emotion into our pets?

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

A. It's pleasantly rewarding.
B. They are loyal, loving, and kind creatures that give some people what they really need, love and a sense of companionship.
C. You live longer.

 

[Cougar]

Because alot of times they end up becoming a member of the family (not in a legal sense mind you, but in a emotional sense). My dog is my baby and I know when her day comes I'm going to be a wreck.

 

[beatmix01]

cause my dog is always there for me when no one else is...

 

[opticalmace]

Paternal/maternal instinct.

 

[hjo3]

Cougar:
> Because alot of times they end up becoming a member of the family (not in a legal sense mind you, but in a emotional sense).

Oh crap, does that mean I shouldn't have been claiming my dogs as dependents on my taxes all these years?

 

[Cougar]

Originally posted by: hjo3
Cougar:
> Because alot of times they end up becoming a member of the family (not in a legal sense mind you, but in a emotional sense).

Oh crap, does that mean I shouldn't have been claiming my dogs as dependents on my taxes all these years?

So you've found a way to beat the system? Please do tell

I wish I could claim my dog as a dependant. I say if I have to feed her and take her to the doctor and now get her allergy medicine then dangit she's dependant on me to survive

 

[MartyMcFly3]

My gramps loved his dog. They would go on mile jogs together and she was really a loyal dog. They even had their picture in the paper of him shoveling the driveway with her out in the yard, and another time when he tied her outside on a jog to the post office. It broke his heart to put Molly down.

 

[datalink7]

"We give dogs the time we can spare, the love we can spare, and the space we can spare. In return, they give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made."

-M. Falcam (sp?)

 

[GRIFFIN1]

"We give cats the time we can spare, the love we can spare, and the space we can spare. In return, they don't give a $hit."

-me

I still really like my cat, but I know I'm only here to feed her and changer her litter box.

 

[z0mb13]

its because u dont have a GF!

ahahah

hmm pets cant break ur heart... they are always there (loyal) I think that is why

 

[Amused]

I love my cat, and his loyalty to me is unconditional. He was a stray that adopted us, not the other way around. Before we took him in, he would wait outside the patio door every morning until we woke up and went out to cuddle with him. After a couple months of that, we just brought him inside and he's never left.

 

[Chaotic42]

They are a constant positive emotional force.