Reply to Do you love your children more than your pets?

Forum Index » Pets

Reply to "Do you love your children more than your pets?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Apples and oranges. It's like asking if you love your children more than your spouse, or your mom more than your kids, or your sister more than your brother. Different relationships, histories, expectations, etc.

I really love my cat. I've had him for nearly 20 years and he's been a near constant companion. We've both seen each other through serious medical issues and I have lots of memories of caring for him when he almost died, but also him lying in bed with me when I was recuperating. I also had a bout with depression years ago and I remember him being such a source of comfort during that time. I know he's nearing the end of his life and thinking about it makes me desperately sad but also so, so grateful for our time together. He's lived with me his entire life and for most of my adult life. It's a really important relationship in my life! And I can't imagine loving him or any other animal any more than I do.

My relationship with my kid is totally different! I literally made her body with my body and gave birth to her. She depended on me for everything from the day she was born in a way my cat never has. On the one hand we are much more tightly bonded because of this connection, it's so unique. My cat is more like a dear, dear friend than a child. On the other hand, because of this difference, I rely on my cat in a way I would never relay on my kid, because I wouldn't want to burden her. I'll seek my cat out at 2am if I can't sleep and need company while I worry over something, and he's happy to oblige and give me cuddles and purrs to soothe me. If I did that with my kid I think it would be emotionally abusive -- she's a child and it's not her job to make me feel better when I'm stressed.

I think my cat is probably the best friend I've had in my adult life, in terms of how long we've been together and how much support we offer each other. And I have some great friends! But they don't live with me and aren't physically present the way he is. But he's not a child. That's just a different thing.

I would never say I love one or the other one more. It's just different relationships. I'm going to watch my cat die (probably help him do it) and I've known that since I got him. If I had to watch my daughter die, I think I'd probably kill myself. That's the kind of idea that a parent just can't accept -- you aren't supposed to outlive your children.

Like I said, apples and oranges.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics