I was telling my husband about this and he said that would be something like his friends would do. He is frm Italy BTW. He said that it seems that animals are not as big a deal there. A lot of people love their pets don't get me wrong but it seems they are not so much a part of the family as a possession. He said that this is something he loves about North America. How people are soooo dedicated and involved with their pets and how they are such a big part of our lives, just like our kids. He told me that is something that will drive me nuts about being in Italy. The total lack of respect people have for pets and how people think "we" are strange for being so involved and so dedicated to them. I guess it could all be a cultural difference. It comes second nature to most of us.