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WanderingPickles t1_j8b6lwz wrote

Reply to comment by Drpoofn in Cultivating a sense of perspective about pet loss can lead to post-traumatic growth after their death by chrisdh79

I didn’t grow up with pets. So there is that. Of course, my siblings all have dogs these days.

They just don’t register as important in my mind. I can appreciate floofiness, playing fetch, etc. But that is where it stops. I can’t tolerate cruelty to animals, btw, that’s isn’t right. I think maybe I should put that out there.

As I have gotten older and worked in impoverished parts of the world I have come to find the enormous expense lavished on pets to be immoral. I mean, I have seen kids who had limbs chopped off just to maim them. I have seen people starving to death. I have lived with people for whom a simple finger cut is cause for worry. Where a fever brings out incredible worry and stress for parents. I have difficulty justifying spending resources on pets - non working animals - when there is so much hurt in the world.

I have a son who I love more than life itself. When he has a slight fever, I don’t worry. Just keep an eye on it. When he gets a cut or scratch we get the neosporin, a bandaid and share some hugs. I’m not anxious that he is going to get tetanus. But there are millions of people out there who don’t have that luxury.

I can’t read a book written by an animal that illuminates some facet of the universe. I can’t engage with an animal over some work challenge. I can’t have a conversation, hold hands with one who has a deep connection with me. They can’t tell a joke that help allay some fear, pain, poke fun the absurdities of life. There just isn’t anything deep there.

I enjoy engaging with people, learning, chatting, being silly. Helping them know that they matter even if we just met, even for a moment. Because I think that they do. I just don’t get that with animals. At all.

So, all in all it is a combination of that “switch” never flipped on along with witnessing the wealth we lavish on pets while ignoring tremendous need everywhere around us. It just rubs me the wrong way. And consequently, experiencing loss - especially a deep emotional trauma - over a pet dying simply doesn’t register with me.

I can understand that it does for other people. I can sympathize with them. But that’s it.

So there you go. Does that help explain it?

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Drpoofn t1_j8b87vo wrote

Yes, this definitely clears stuff up. I understand where you're coming from, humans are more valuable in your opinion. For me, my cat was my best friend. My chickens give me peace when my anxiety is high. I love my animals so much, it's stupid. I can't imagine living without animals.

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-Ripper2 t1_j8bylst wrote

One thing with a pet is they don’t judge you. And they will always love you no matter what. I can’t say that about most people.

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Drpoofn t1_j8b8egj wrote

Sounds like you just don't vibe with them, and that's cool.

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Ariandrin t1_j8of61e wrote

I have always liked animals better than people, and get tremendously attached in fairly short order to an animal. For me, I think part of it is because I have determined that I will never have children, but a pet still gives me a little soul to love, a little life that depends on me to give my own life some structure and responsibility. A little creature who will love me with the unconditional love of a child, but for their whole lives. They listen when I talk to them, don’t talk back or yell, have ulterior motives or hidden agendas, they don’t lie to me or take advantage of me. I don’t have to worry about them judging me, so I am free to be my authentic self.

And it’s nice to have a little fluffy animal to cuddle when I’m sad.

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