Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze  Makes me wonder why we "need" our companion animals more than ever before! People tend to cling tighter to them now days, panic if they even get out of sight when outside and yes baby them. Maybe the nurturing instinct and the need to be loved is stronger these days. It's all good if we keep in mind they are dogs first, and need to do all the things dogs love doing.
I will always say "my girls" simply because saying "dogs" is difficult to get out.  Yep they are my fur-kids and I wouldn't have it any other way! |
about calling mine 'dogs', my husband got offended once when someone referred to them that way too. I told my hubby that that is what they are just like we are animals as well
and that we shouldn't feel upset when someone refers to them as 'dogs', we should be offended if they call them humans
.
But the truth is that I secretly felt a bit angry as well. I couldn't figure out why until recently. Unconsciously, I want to differentiate my 'dogs' from those that people think of as 'just dogs'. And to let the people that truly love dogs know that I'm one of them.
To set apart mine from those of people that shouldn't have plants, let alone dogs, (not necessarily apart from the innocent dogs who had the misfortune of ending up with those people) I want to send out a subtle but clear warning that my 'dogs' ARE my children and they're risking a lot if they dare treat my babies with any less respect and consideration then they would someone's human children. That I will respond like any mother protecting my pooches, that they shouldn't be surprised and I shouldn't be held accountable for hurting their feelings pretty badly
I don't think that we 'need our companion animals more than ever', I think that we are becoming more informed. We know now more than before. We know now that they DO feel, they cry, get scared, think, etc., just like us. I think all this has made some of us more aware and understanding of our moral and social responsibilities when adopting a fur baby
.
My motherly instincts have been sharp since I was a baby and got a new baby sister (we're 1 and1/2 years apart). I had to be watched because somehow I wanted to care of her and so could have hurt the baby unintentionally. We had dogs, but I didn't know a lot of things about them and so I didn't treat them like I did my baby sister. Now I know better and so I do better
. I think education is key
