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Original poster

Whats the point of pets?

53 replies

Mirage · 24/01/2006 21:41

I was pondering this question today.I grew up with loads of animals,farm & domestic,but on thinking about it,I can't see the point of having pets.I can understand keeping chickens or goats or something,but dogs,cats,guinea pigs?

I asked DH what he thought & asked him to tell me something that you can get from a pet but not from anywhere else.The only thing he could come up with was that eventually you get to bury a pet in the garden!

Is it just us?Do we both lack the pet keeping gene?

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 25/01/2006 00:16

Well i enjoy my cats shitting in our neighbours garden. I think thats pretty purposeful.

suedonim · 25/01/2006 00:19

Dunno, really, what the point of pets is but I agree they are a lot of fun to have around. One thing about them is that they are non-judgmental. Well, maybe that doesn't apply to the cat. And the dog eats any-and-everything I cook, unlike the humans in this abode.

My cat and dog have just gone to foster homes and the house does seem v empty without them.

sweetkitty · 25/01/2006 07:46

Really don't know at the moment my cats are really annoying me right now, as well as the poo situation (they are indoor cats) they sick up cat balls, one leaks anal gland fluid (usually over the bed) they sleep all day (cat hair everywhere) then when we go to bed they chase each other over the house and wake us up. Even though they always have food in their bowls they will still try and wake us up at 5am for food. Oh they cost loads of money as well. Think they will be being introduced to the great outdoors very soon.

megandsoph · 25/01/2006 07:49

apparently they are good for your health mentally & a good thing for positive vibes in the home...

Apart from when u have a kitten thats a loon and is forever running up and down the stairs at night sure thats not good for my mental state lol

NotQuiteCockney · 25/01/2006 08:11

They are a good way for kids to learn to be gentle. And franky our two cats provide so much entertainment for the kids, they're really worthwhile.

And, not to be morbid, but they expose children to the reality of death (e.g. things die, and then they're gone) from a reasonably early age. So it's less of a surprise for them when a person dies.

NotQuiteCockney · 25/01/2006 08:12

Should have added, if you don't want or like pets, don't have 'em! They're certainly not mandatory.

edam · 25/01/2006 08:59

A good way for children to learn respect for other living creatures ? people included. Nasty pieces of work who are cruel to human beings often started out being cruel to animals. Teach children to look after and respect animals - less risk that they will grow up to be aggressive.

They are also fun, entertaining, affectionate, cuddly... I could go on! Still miss the cats I grew up with who died 20 and 16 years ago.

LoveMyGirls · 25/01/2006 09:17

im not an animal person at all i just dont have any interest in looking after a pet, i much prefer to look after children they give you so much back and eventually learn not to make a mess everywhere. my very blunt and personal opinion is that you just clean up after animals without getting much if anything in return, for e.g we have a hamster which my dp's parents bought our dd (even though i said no) we have had it for 18mths now, dd has lost all interest and im the one who nags dp to clean the cage and give it water and food i think its unfair on the animal really. plus it sleeps all day and then wakes at night when dd is asleep infact you wouldnt know it was there if it hadnt chewed dd's bedding.
dp says im cold hearted as dd loves animals she really wants a dog or cat - both of which im allergic to and i have no desire or time to run round clearing up after it, training it or walking it and cannot afford to feed it so obv the answer is no. she has lots of pets at her grandmas - 2 cats a dog a goldfish and a bird so im not depriving her from caring about animals im just saying not in my house

tarantula · 25/01/2006 09:32

Reckon I've got the perfect pet. No mess, clean out about once a year, feed every month or so but can go for 6 months without feeding easily. Gets very active when hungry and is fasinating to watch as does many very strange things like making a sleeping bag for itself when cold. Dd is fasinated by it and watches it for ages.

We had one when dss was little too and we used to get it out so it could play with himand crawl round a cardboard castle he'd made for it.

Cant think why many more people dont have one

Angeliz · 25/01/2006 09:41

We love our dog.
I've had him longer than my daughters and he's a huge part of the family. He comes to the beach on the weekend, makes the baby laugh and i agree with those that say, he teaches them that they need to be nice to living craetures.

He keeps getting ear infections though and absloutely stinks at the minute!

LoveMyGirls · 25/01/2006 09:44

tarantula - you made my hair stand on end just reading your post!!! i cant stand spiders my ex had a tarantula used to keep it in a cage at the foot of his bed - he was very abusive and used to put it on the bed to make me get out of bed - eeeeek no wonder he is my ex!!!

tarantula · 25/01/2006 10:04

Now that is just cruel LMG

Tarantulas are very delicate creatures and need to be handled very carefully

Sorry couldnt resist. Not surprised he's your ex. Thats a very cruel thing to do. We never get ruari out or even mention her being in the house if we know that people are scared of spiders.

NotQuiteCockney · 25/01/2006 10:50

My sister used to have a beautiful rose tarantula. Very pretty. But not tame at all, unfortunately.

LoveMyGirls · 25/01/2006 11:01

it was a rose one, cant remember its name he had it for about a year maybe longer, he found it upside down in its cage one day adn accused me of killing it - as if i would have gone anywhere near it!!!

handlemecarefully · 25/01/2006 22:35

Totally agree that it teaches children to be caring and gentle. I am constantly impressed with how gently my 21 month old and 3 year old handle our gerbils and pet our chickens. I'm sure it help them be more tactile / empathetic generally (sorry if I sound like I am talking crap - 2 bottles of budweiser). Can't wait to see my two getting so much out of the puppy we'll be collecting in a few weeks time.

Mytwopenceworth · 25/01/2006 22:47

i like cats. house feels like a home when you've a cat (or 4) curled up in front of a roaring log fire!

edam · 25/01/2006 23:03

what mytwopenceworth said. Wish I'd thought of it!

Janh · 25/01/2006 23:13

We just had an escaped snake curled up at the side of one of the drawers in the chest on the landing - not quite as homely as a cat in front of the fire...

eldestgirl · 26/01/2006 00:26

We adopted a cat 4 months ago as I was fed up with the children being "silly" around animals. He's great, very gentle and very tolerant of being hugged and picked up and carried around. They love him. Plus, it has made me less particular about germs/mess.
Yes, he needs feeding and poo clearing up, but on balance, it's definitely worth it.
Also, pets are supposed to be really good for your children's self esteem. Also less likely to get allergies?

Skribble · 26/01/2006 00:30

I don't mind dogs if they have a purpse and most don't, I mean like working dogs. I am sorry but watching a dog sh&ting and then having to pick it up kind of seems pointless, I suppose that is why their is so much sh7t down our road as the dog owners don't seem to want to do it either.

ghosty · 26/01/2006 01:23

I am not a 'pet' person myself but getting DS a kitten for his birthday in November was the best thing we have done for our children ...

  1. DS is frightened of most animals ... he likes looking at them on the telly and at the zoo but is terrified of dogs and was pretty scared of cats ... he ADORES 'Woody' our kitten. After a couple of days of holding her in his hands with his arms outstretched in front of him he relaxed and she is now his best friend. She sleeps on his bed during the day and follows him around and comes to him when he calls her name.
  2. He is now less frightened of our freind's pets ... even played with a friend's dog in the xmas holidays which is UNHEARD of ...
  3. Both my children watch less television and DS hardly plays on his computer as they prefer to play with the cat ... hours of fun ...
  4. I have noticed a much more caring attitude to most things in DS since the arrival of Woody
  5. I no longer have any broody feelings re. having a third baby ... I feel our family is complete.

DH does want a dog but I don't because I don't want to spend my life picking up poo from the garden and when I walk it (and it will be me that walks it won't it?).

ernest · 26/01/2006 09:28

surely cats just poo in the neighbours' gardens'' ???

sorry, not directed at you personally gohsty, but I went out yesterday and had to pich up 9 cat poos. Not very happy. At least it's f???ing freezing so they were.... erm frozen. Much worse in the summer when all warm & squishy.

i feel sick. How do I stop these bastard cats shitty all over my garden??

Angeliz · 26/01/2006 09:31

Skribble, ring your council and complain about the dog poo.
There is one old lady down our road who just let her dog poo everywhere. When it went a few times directly behind my car, we rang and kicked up a fuss.
We were actually amazed at the response. They came out, put up posters and came another twice and fined someone (her i imagine) and i now see her following her dog and picking up shit!!!

saadia · 26/01/2006 10:11

Haven't read whole thread and don't mean to offend anyone but I agree with Mirage. I can't stand animals of any kind being near me.

Ds on the other hand loves animals. He went to visit some relatives who have a cat and a bunny and had great fun with both.

Skribble · 26/01/2006 23:22

I should get on to the council about the poo as i am sure it is the same people every day.

I have to laugh when visiting people with dogs, they come up and stick their slavery mouth in your lap (the dogs that is) and when you shoo them away they say "OH don't you like dogs?"
"Well actually I quite like them but I prefer it when they don't sniff my crotch thanks!"

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