Why do you think we love our pets so much?

[Catchingbentcoppers]

Just sitting looking at my beautiful chocolate lab and thinking how much we all absolutely adore him, even though he can be a bit of a twat.

He's starting to get grey/white around his chin and has that kind of 'old man' thing going on but if I even think about losing him, I feel sick to my stomach.

He's a constant. When things are great/crap/scary/sad, he's still there with a cuddle and a waggy tail. I wonder why it is we feel such strong love for these wonderful creatures who we can't even talk with (although I have full blown conversations with him but you know what I mean)?

Because they are so intensely loyal and present at every moment. Within seconds they can change a mood.

Unconditional love and non judgemental. They are naturally affectionate and loyal.

That's so true. I can be in a foul mood and he makes me feel better. I'll still be in a shit mood but he kind of has that calming effect.

Funny, I’m sitting here gazing at my golden Lab! Why wouldn’t you love a Labrador??

Cherish them why they are here. I had my Daisy for 5 years and lost her in November. I miss her more than I can even begin to say. It's hit me so, so hard and I'm still struggling.

I mean, look at her ❤️

They're loyal no matter what and are there for us always. Not to mention that they aren't judgemental and are super cute!

Here's my baby Archie snuggling with me on the couch ❤️

They’re so unconditionally loving and loyal.

I still cry about my old dog. Proper ugly cry. I honestly miss him more than some humans who have died!

They just love us and ask for nothing in return. And they need us always.

We don’t deserve dogs. They’re too good for this world.

Cats are arseholes but I love mine! My cat. Not my arsehole.

@JuneFromBethesda what a sweetie. I love labs

Whoops sorry, double photo ...

I’m so sorry Strawberry Sometimes has wonder why I let another dog into my life when I know how much it will hurt to lose her. I work from home so we’re together almost every waking moment. I can’t imagine life without her.

All of the above. My dog is a rescue and I just adore her, scruffy little terrier that she is! She is so devoted to us. She follows me around, wherever I am in the house she is there too and looks at me like I'm the best thing since sliced bread. If I've had a shite day her little face still lights up when she sees me.
Also, because we have a dog we get out and about as a family and do things/go places we wouldn't if we didn't have her. She's spoilt rotten!

Thanks mjcx yours too!

I wonder this every day. I'll never understand how different species manage to co exist so happily and harmoniously, it blows my mind.

My 'first born' Trevor the cat is my best mate, and I love him as much as I love DS 🙈 We've also got another cat and two spaniels. They're all part of our family and couldn't imagine being without any of them. I Grew up with a dog and a cat, we were never without one or the other, usually two cats. Couldn't be without an animal or ten 😂

@JuneFromBethesda we don't mind the double cuteness!!

I miss her more than I can even begin to say. It's hit me so, so hard and I'm still struggling.

Totally understand. It's been 38 years since we lost our childhood dog and and my sister and I still can't talk about him without getting upset. They literally take a piece of your heart with them when they leave you. BUT how much better they make life for the time we do have them.

Because he never complains if I’m in a bad mood, just offers me a cuddle

He never moans when I fart in bed

He doesn’t t care what I look like, I’m always beautiful to him

He is always in a good mood and never complains or asks for anything apart from walks, food, treats and affection
Perfect partners 👍

I'm sure he knows I'm talking about him. He's doing that staring at me silently wagging his tail thing. 😁

There's just something about animals that's good for the soul, I think. I popped into Pets at home the other day and everyone was just wandering around smiling benignly at the little hamsters and bunnies

Cause they are so CUTE! And they rely on us so we are responsible for them to be happy and content.

@Catchingbentcoppers can we have a pic?

My six rescues, I adore each and every one.

We got our cat from cats protection league. She was timid and wasn't a lap cat, but would come up for a stroke and tummy tickle.
In the intervening 13 years she is now very much a lap cat and I have the ruined trousers to show for it. She even lets me pick her up every now and again.
People say cats aren't loyal but mine is. There's something about a warm fuzzy thing gently vibrating on your lap that's an instant pick me up.

Here's my little love, in her pram that she had for the last year.

june I'm not quite ready for another and cos my work situation has changed, I'm not sure I can and I think deep down, I just want Daisy back.

Dunno. I don’t think I quite get the utter adoration. Some of it seems to be a culture-specific thing? Britain and the US are certainly the two places I’ve lived where people anthropomorphise pets most. In my experience you don’t get the ‘fur baby’ phenomenon so strongly in some other cultures.