What separates the REAL pet lovers from the pet owners....

**Toby's my baby** · 11-14-2006, 09:43 PM

I noticed today in class how different some people in class were then others. I just started my Small Animal Managment 1 class this week, and we were going over statistics. The statistics were on people celebrating their pets birthdays, having parties, giving them presants, and making them a cake, or letting them sleep under the covers with you at night. Well for ME and I'm sure most of you all on here, we are all guilty of this. You should have heard some of the obserd comments in class! "why would someone do that for their CAT?!?" "why would you bake a cake just for you dog, and have a party?" I laughed, and when she had us raise our hand if we were "guily" of this, I was one of the only ones.

Proves just how much some people care, and how others think it's crazy!!

Just thought I'd share.

**LilacDragon** · 11-14-2006, 10:14 PM

So - if you treat your pet like a child then you must love it more?

I have a dog and a cat. I have never thrown a party for them, baked them a cake, given them "presents" or let them sleep under the covers with me.

I do, however, vet them, give them quality kibble, make sure that they get plenty of exercise and that they are always safe. My dog is trained. Maybe not quite as well as I would like but better then most of the rest of the dogs that I run into in my neighborhood.

I have to wonder when we stopped treating our pets like pets and started treating them like people. They aren't people. They don't think like people or act like people. I wonder if that is part of the reason that there are so many puppy mills and dogs being euthanized in shelters?

**Argranade** · 11-14-2006, 10:20 PM

That's for the crazy pet lovers for sure lol,

The only thing I do out of those things is let my pets sleep beside me, I have a specail pillow and blanky that I use for my pets when they want to sleep beside me at night lol, I also give my pets presents sometimes ... I always buy them toys and treats for Christmas or just when I feel like it. I don't know when all there B-days are lol I only give my indoor pets toys cause my pigeons realy don't care for them but I'll feed them treats.

I geuss I do spoil my pets weirdly the odd times!

**Sophist** · 11-15-2006, 02:16 AM

I also find the "what seperates the REAL pet lovers from the pet owners..." title a little bit upsetting. I am not going to chastise you or anything since I trust that you didn't mean for it to be even remotely offensive, but I really and truly do not think birthday cakes and parties are what seperates the lovers from the owners.

**borzoimom** · 11-15-2006, 07:37 AM

(raises hand...) We also celebrate wins at shows..

**jackmilliesmom** · 11-15-2006, 08:16 AM

Jack and Millie have just had a joint birthday we got Jack this time 2 years ago and got Millie this time last year so they both had a joint birthday celebration got a new cushion each and some toys as presents had a birthday cake and some chocolate buttons for their party and had snowie my parents-in-law's dog down for the day and we played with them all day. They also had some roast beef, potatoes, veg and gravy for their dinner (not that that is unusual - they get whatever we get most days anyway and love it....)

They also have breakfast with us and for that they have tea and toast with butter during the day they have some dried food at night they have what we are having..... all in small amounts though

Sorry I must now be considered one of the crazy ones - but I don't care I love them dearly and so does my husband my signature picture is not always normal though this happened one evening when I turned my back to put away some items from the table and the two of them hopped up to lick the plates clean they got scolded but not before taking the picture because it looked so cute

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 11-15-2006, 08:27 AM

I don't throw parties for my pets but I do get them special food to mark their supposed birthdays.

Like LilacDragon mine are well looked after and loved but I try not to anthropomorphise them - doesn't mean I don't love them to bits though just because I don't dress them up and things

**BC_MoM** · 11-15-2006, 08:29 AM

That's funny.

But I don't agree that just because someone doesn't (or wouldn't) make a cake for their dog or cat, that they aren't a "REAL pet lover".

**Aspen and Misty** · 11-15-2006, 10:33 PM

am guilty as they come.

I have to agree with kay. My dogs are my kids. Konnor has a bear from Build a Bear that says "I love you" when you squeeze it's paws. When I come home from work with a bag they know it's for them and they wag there tails. I will take the toys out of the bag and they are SO exited. We have so much fun. I think my dog's get just as exited with new toys as a child would. They fight over them, play with them, and for the next week or two there new toy is there favorite.

And Konnor opens his own presents on Christmas, he LOVES that one day a year he is allowed to shred paper and through it all over the living room. Do I believe that he enjoys this? Yes. Am I crazy or ridiculous? Nope. I'm just a mom who loves her kids.

Ashley

**shais_mom** · 11-15-2006, 11:49 PM

welcome to 2006.
the pet industry has become a BOOMING business over the last several years. Like or agree with it or not it is the precedent now.
If someone does throw their dog a party doesn't mean they love their dog more than I do. And just b/c I don't throw them a party doesn't mean I love my dog more then they do.

**gini** · 11-15-2006, 11:58 PM

When my very first kitty, Sugar, turned 16 - I had a sweet 16 birthday party for him.

I think my guests had more fun than he did - they brought a tuna cake, candles, tons of gifts, toys and made such a fuss over him. Sure they gave me a bad time - but they were having a great time, because they had never been invited to a birthday party for a cat before and they loved the excuse.

Sugar was a heart kitty...........my very first...........and he was so well loved.

**JenBKR** · 11-16-2006, 03:40 PM

My pets are my kids also, and when I have kids I don't intend on loving my pets any less. I don't think you need to throw parties for your pets or anything like that to love them, but there's nothing wrong with doing it. And as for the parties, dressing up, and special food not making a pet happy.....don't quite understand that argument. Ever had a dog? Just the extra attention it would take to dress them up thrills them to pieces!

**kimlovescats** · 11-16-2006, 04:06 PM

I don't think it is fair to say that parties or gift giving makes one a better or worse pet lover / owner.

To me the difference is that a pet "owner" simply throws food and water in the direction of the animal, and doesn't give it attention, or health care!

A pet LOVER provides for ALL of the animals needs ... food, shelter, health care, exercise and ATTENTION!!!

**dogzr#1** · 11-16-2006, 04:24 PM

I may not bake my dogs a cake on their birthday or throw them a party, heck, I didn't even celebrate MY birthday! But, I still give them an extra treat and buy them a toy or something. Is it ridiculous to throw them a party etc.? A bit, but I'm sure if I had the resources I would do it too!

On the note of dressing up and getting presents etc., my dogs don't really like to do either. I sometimes dress them up with my clothes just because I think they look cute. They don't seemed to thrilled at it, and that's why I only leave the clothes on for a couple minutes, just enough time to take a couple pictures.
They don't like to open presents much either. We would always give them a present on Christmas but they would always need some help to get it opened first. If we got to Petsmart or something and come back with toys for them, you betcha they get excited! They somehow know it's for them and can tell the difference between regular groceries that we buy.

But, if that's the way you can tell if you are a pet lover...them I'm not one.