Anonymous wrote:What a crazy thread. How is this even a close call? Western society is doomed.

In a trolley problem sort of scenario, I would kill MY dog to save YOUR kid (hell, any kid) 100% of the time. And I would do it happily, it's a freaking human life!

This! I have a puppy and… I like her. Wouldn’t risk my life for her, though. At the end of the day, she’s a dog.

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.

When my kids would ask which one of them was my favorite, I always said my dog (She was pre-kids, pre-husband). Most of the time I meant it too . I lost her last year, and I am still mourning her loss.

Anonymous wrote:God no. You people are rotten.

So you are saying that if you had a child and a pet that were incompatible, that you would prioritize the pet. So if you had a dog and brought a baby home, the dog was jealous and started biting the baby, that you would put the baby up for adoption to keep your beloved dog? If as another poster put it, you had to choose between saving your child or saving your pet, that you would either equivocate and not be able to choose or that you would choose the pet?

I completely understand people who love their pet immensely and would be absolutely crushed to lose the pet. However, I don't understand those who would love a pet so much that they would prioritize the pet over their own child.

Of course- I love my children more than anything or anyone in the world.

I LIKE my dog more but I LOVE my children more. The kids can be super annoying and break your heart.

Anonymous wrote:What a crazy thread. How is this even a close call? Western society is doomed.

In a trolley problem sort of scenario, I would kill MY dog to save YOUR kid (hell, any kid) 100% of the time. And I would do it happily, it's a freaking human life!

Would you kill ten dogs and one of the dogs knew the cure for cancer? j/k

Oh my god. YES.

What a crazy thread. How is this even a close call? Western society is doomed.

In a trolley problem sort of scenario, I would kill MY dog to save YOUR kid (hell, any kid) 100% of the time. And I would do it happily, it's a freaking human life!

I don't have kids but I definitely miss my old dog more than I miss my ex-wife. If I could have one of them back in my life it would be the dog no question.

Anonymous wrote:I love them... differently. I would absolutely run into a burning building to save them both, but I'm saving the child first, if it came to that.

Same! I would risk my life for my dog, but I wouldn’t risk my child’s life for my dog. Kid first. Then dog.

My kids are teens so no, lol.

I love them... differently. I would absolutely run into a burning building to save them both, but I'm saving the child first, if it came to that.

I had a dog I loved more than life itself. Then I had kids when the dog was 10 years old. I was just touched out and really didn't feel the same way about the dog anymore. I actually feel some PTSD about how I felt about it all. It was heartbreaking to me that I didn't love the dog as I had before. But life goes on I guess. We never did get another dog because of it and I'd had dogs my entire life.

Kids would love a dog, as would I, but I'm not sure I can go through that again.

obviously. Anyone who doesn't probably shouldn't have had kids.