How does the domestic pet fit into the grand scheme of things ??

[Fox-Gal]

We had a friend stop by last night, that thinks we are a little nuts to have as many pets as we do. He belives they serve no purposes.

This was his questions to us "How does the domestic pet fit into the cycle of life?" "What is thier purpose in the world?" "Would the cycle of life be effected if there was no more domestic pets?"

So I bring the question to you at PT. How do they fit into the grand scheme of things?

[Rio and Me]

Well my view (may not be politically correct) is that We have grown to love our pets and if they were to disaper we would become depresed, lonely, and tubby (from lack of walkies,lol)
Ky and Rio

[2kitties]

This person doesn't have very many friends does he?

[RICHARD]

It's unconditional love....


I have yet to date a girl that meets me at the door every single time I come home....

My cat doesn't cook very well, but I am willing to overlook his shortcomings.....

[dukedogsmom]

Same here, Richard, except for me, it would be a guy To have a wonderful animal in your life is to open your heart to total love. He just hasn't met the right dog! Ask him why his view is the way it is. Maybe his parents were also like that? He sounds cold to me. Sorry.

[Fox-Gal]

Originally posted by 2kitties
This person doesn't have very many friends does he?

LOL Honestly, beside this one fault of his, he is a wonderfull man. He'd give a stranger the shirt of his back if he belived they needed it more then him. He has more friends then I could ever have.

And he does have pets, sort of, they all have to serve a purpose. His rabbits are good for fertilizer for his plants, the droppings not the rabbits. The chickens keep the bugs down and supply him with eggs. His one dog is good for protection. He also has 2 cows, that he says is good for helping to keep his grass cut.

He says everything in this world has to have a purpose to be worth keeping and investing the time and money into their propper care.

[Uabassoon]

"Would the cycle of life be effected if there was no more domestic pets?"

Well if animals had never been domesticated I think the world would be so much different. Originally animals were domesticated because we needed their help. Dogs were domesticated so they could help protect farm animals that were domesticated for easy hunting. Even know if there were no domesticated animals people would suffer. There would be no guide dogs to help those that need them. And if cats hadn't have been domesticated there would be a very lonely Laura sitting in her apartment all by her lonesome

[dukedogsmom]

Hey, ask him what his purpose is........

[slick]

In addition to Richard's statement about unconditional love, I also believe that pets contribute to our own health and well-being. I read somewhere that those with pets have lower blood pressure and live longer. Having a pet gives me something else besides myself to look after. Look at all the pets that visit long term care homes; the benefits are plenty. Residents are happier and it perhaps brings back memories of dogs or cats they used to have.

Why do people need a purpose to have pets and why do pets need to have a purpose to be cared for??? They are all God's creatures and so should be loved unconditionally just like us hoomans.

[lizbud]

Originally posted by Fox-Gal


He says everything in this world has to have a purpose to be worth keeping and investing the time and money into their propper care.

Does he include himself in this statement ? Has he ever asked
himself what his purpose is in the grand scheme of life?


I guess to answer his question, I'd have to agree with what
Uabassoon said.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by dukedogsmom
Hey, ask him what his purpose is........

LMAO!

I agree with Laura. Except in my case, it would be a very lonely Julie without her pups.

[Denyce]

I believe the bubonic plague was brought under control finally by cats. Cats catching and killing the rats that had the fleas that were carrying the plague. If we didn't have cats to keep the rodent population in some kind of check we wouldn't have the human population we have now..... ...ok....now that brings up a myriad of confusion...is that a good thing or a bad?

Denyce

[RICHARD]

Wait a second!


Does unconditional love make up for my cat lying around, eating and pooping at will, making me clean out his box, getting cat hair off my clothes and generally being a pain??????




Yep.

[slick]

And just what does my Daddy do for me???

-squirts mustard all over my white fur
-drags me away from the fireplace when I'm nice and cozy to go home
-won't cut a hole in the screen for me to escape from
-won't let me chase that pesky dog
-insists that I be his doctor by curing all his illnesses, aches and pains
-gets upset when I poop on the 50 cent coupon that dropped in the litter box
-gets upset when I wake him in the middle of a dream

The list goes on and on, but do I love him? Of course I do. He feeds me.

[K9soul]

I suppose it is all relative to how you look at it. To me, pets serve a vitally important function to those who take them into their heart and home. Besides making us happier and healthier, they are our companions. The role of companion is different for each situation. A pet can help that depressed person come out of themselves with their gentle love and acceptance. A pet can help someone get motivated to get out and walk and do things. Some pets help guard the home and their people from harm. Many pets of different species have helped alert their people to trouble. I have seen testimonies of a parrot that woke his family when the house was on fire, and a cat waking her people when someone was trying to break in their home. Of course there are hundreds of stories of dogs that have helped keep their people from harm.

Unconditional love is very addictive. Once you have experienced it, it is like experiencing a bit of heaven. It is a high or utopia far better than anything a drug can make you feel.

Simply put, they enrich our lives in many, many ways. Too many ways to even try to list them all. Maybe to some people, that does not seem like a real "function." As for me, I wouldn't want to try to function myself in this world without them by my side.