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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Animals vs humans

1002 replies

fifi669 · 01/11/2013 13:16

AIBU to think if faced with choosing a pet over a human (even if a stranger), you should choose the human?

The idea was brought up in another thread and put in life or death situation. Building on fire contains your pet and a stranger. You could only save one, who would it be?

I had a dog, Ralph, I cried my heart out when he died 3 years ago. The only dog I wasn't scared of! But I can't imagine leaving a person to die instead, no matter how my heart would break.

OP posts:
Ivyfairy · 01/11/2013 23:33

I used the word "incomprehensible" I wasn't quoting anybody else!

I've read the thread of course and still don't understand the reasoning, and afraid I never shall be convinced. But yes, animals as "family" comes up time and again.

APartridgeAmongThePigeons · 01/11/2013 23:34

If you see your pets as family really genuinely as family. You will always choose your family over another person's family. Especially a strangers.

I think some people say they see their pets as family but clearly they don't because you wouldn't choose someone else's mother over your own.

I would choose a strange baby over a family member (not one of my kids) because I feel really protective over babies and young children. It doesn't make it a right or wrong answer, there is no right or wrong answer. I find it funny so many people on this thread see there being an absolute "right"

PrincessFlirtyPants · 01/11/2013 23:35

Littlewhitebag I feel sorry for your children

Is there any need? That seems unnecessarily rude.

Strumpetron · 01/11/2013 23:35

I used the word "incomprehensible" I wasn't quoting anybody else!

I know you did, but I can't see anything that warrants your description of us seeing it as 'incomprehensible' that's what I meant.

Strumpetron · 01/11/2013 23:35

^If you see your pets as family really genuinely as family. You will always choose your family over another person's family. Especially a strangers.

I think some people say they see their pets as family but clearly they don't because you wouldn't choose someone else's mother over your own.^

Agree 100%.

PrincessFlirtyPants · 01/11/2013 23:39

If I want to risk my life, it's up to me who I'm saving. I would save my dog, not some random person who means nothing to me. The person dying would have no impact on my life, the dog dying would be devastating.

I do not know what is so difficult to understand to understand about that...

littlewhitebag · 01/11/2013 23:39

Hey ho. I know my children, i know my dog. My children would choose to save the dog. I don't really give a shit what anyone else thinks.

MaidOfStars · 01/11/2013 23:41

What if doggy was terminally ill?

Imsosorryalan · 01/11/2013 23:43

I'm sorry for your past trauma littlewhitebag, however, I would be very upset if my children genuinely loved the dog more than me. Young or old.

Ivyfairy · 01/11/2013 23:45

"The person dying would have no impact on my life, the dog dying would be devastating."

Similarly for most (all, I would hope) people who are attached to their pets. I'd rather have my dog or cat, but I would still try to save a human life first. I personally feel it would be selfish to do otherwise.

Back2Two · 01/11/2013 23:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

OutragedFromLeeds · 01/11/2013 23:48

It is selfish, but so is saving yourself or your DC's before someone else, but you'd do that wouldn't you?

PrincessFlirtyPants · 01/11/2013 23:50

Ivy I understand you feel that way. As humans we subconsciously and consciously make selfish decisions everyday.

I just do not automatically value a humans life above an animals life.

SaltySeaBird · 01/11/2013 23:51

Human every time and the people choosing a pet over a person totally baffle me. That human might have a husband / wife / children / grandchildren. Human life is always more valuable than that of a pet. Sorry! That comes from an animal loving pet owner.

MaidOfStars · 01/11/2013 23:51

Princess I would be devastated, utterly sickened, to know that I had inflicted the pain of the loss of a child/spouse/sibling/parent on anyone.

What's so difficult to understand is why - how - that premise could be so...natural to some, so easy to deal with, so easy to justify. Same on both sides, I gather.

Strumpetron · 01/11/2013 23:52

I think people questioning our feelings just don't feel the same way about their dogs as we do. It's understandable though!

Strumpetron · 01/11/2013 23:53

I would be devastated, utterly sickened, to know that I had inflicted the pain of the loss of a child/spouse/sibling/parent on anyone

I'd be more devastated and sickned to know I'd let my dog, who has been by my side through thick and thin die. I love him. I don't love a stranger. I know what you're saying, it's just differences of feelings isn't it

PrincessFlirtyPants · 01/11/2013 23:54

Maid I wouldn't be. That's the thing, all humans are individuals who think, feel and react in different ways.

No, I can see why you would feel the way you do. Clearly you don't have the same bond with an animal that others do, therefore, your views are completely logical.

OutragedFromLeeds · 01/11/2013 23:57

Maid what you need to understand is that the pet is a family member. I know you don't agree with that, but just imagine that you do.

The question is now; would you save a family member over a stranger? Your answer would surely be yes?

Would you still be devastated and utterly sickened to know that you had inflicted the pain of the loss of a child/spouse/sibling/parent on someone? Probably yes, but that wouldn't change your answer would it? Would you let your DP or DCs burn while you save a stranger to save their family grief? Honestly?

MaidOfStars · 01/11/2013 23:59

Strumpetron It's not the same. I'm saving a random stranger because I cannot bear to inflict pain on someone else. You are saving your dog because you cannot bear to feel pain yourself.

Princess see other comments re: level of empathy with animals. I couldn't choose between chimp and human. I'm vegetarian. I really fucking like dogs (hate cats though).

MaidOfStars · 02/11/2013 00:02

Outraged I've had pets. I have pets. I get it. I'm not a dick.

Strumpetron · 02/11/2013 00:02

maidofstars You're half right, but it's also because I don't want my friend to be in pain and die!

I'd actually give my life trying to save him. So it's hardly alien for me to chose him over a stranger.

OutragedFromLeeds · 02/11/2013 00:02

'I'm saving a random stranger because I cannot bear to inflict pain on someone else. You are saving your dog because you cannot bear to feel pain yourself'

No, you're saving the stranger because not saving them would make you feel worse than not saving your dog.

If your DC was in there you'd save them because not saving them would hurt you more than not saving the stranger.

Don't make out your decision is selfless whilst those saving pets are selfish. It's simply not true.

Strumpetron · 02/11/2013 00:03

The love I have for my dog is exactly the same I have for my brothers. Strange to some people I expect. But it's just the truth. I wouldn't let them die.

OutragedFromLeeds · 02/11/2013 00:03

Maid you don't get it, you've said as much! You've said it's hard to understand.

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