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

[RICHARD]

People don't let thier cats lick the salt off the fresh french fries?

[Blue_Frog]

People don't let thier cats lick the salt off the fresh french fries?

Yours does that too?

Hobbes has been known to sneak the table when no one's looking and steal french fries (he has a particular liking for Mcdeath fries, but since i'm not eating there anymore, hes been rather put out)

[Queen of Poop]

Guilty, guilty, guilty. We have cake, sing happy birthday, have presents. Just like for the people. Over the top?? Maybe. But it makes me happy.

[Sevaede]

My cats are not picky and would prefer that I don't do anything! This upsets me a great deal but I suppose that I shall live with what they would prefer to have. (AHH! Preposition!)

I am sure Spanky will be absolutely *thrilled* when I bake her a cake, bake her some treats, etc etc. I mean, it's her special day, why not?

I feel that they are just as deserving of everything that I have as I am. I work, they give me unconditional love, it's really a win-win situation for all involved.

[gini]

I found myself thinking about this thread, so I came back to it to post.

Yes, I celebrate my pet's special events - their birthdays - the holidays.
No, they don't come running out on Christmas morning saying "what did Santa bring me?" I usually have to lure them to their stockings with the enticing new catnip toy or treats.

Yes, they sleep on my bed - there isn't anything quite like waking up to a very warm kitty snuggled at your back or your side.

Why do I do this? - They don't know it is Christmas or their birthday - but it is my way of honoring them with special attention as a thank you for all that they give me every day - all year long. All three of my kitties are very loving - and I always feel as though I am getting back so much more than I give to them.

[popcornbird]

You know what? I don't believe people throwing parties for their pets, buying them presents, singing 'happy birthday' to them are doing anything special for their PETS. Why? Because the pet doesn't understand. The human does. It doesn't make the pet happy. Pets don't know when its their birthday, nor do they care. All they know is "Yippee...I got a special treat! Yum!" The owners are not doing it to make their pet happy, even though they may believe that. In reality, doing these little 'spoiling things' for the pet is making the pet's humans happy. People do it for 'their' happiness. The pet would get happy if it got an extra treat on any day. Its similar to someone giving a 3 month old a lovely gift. The baby doesn't understand, but it makes the parents happy.

I don't do any of those things for my pets. My pets are birds, and thus, cannot sleep on my bed. I am too scared of rolling on them at night...however, if I had a cat, I would allow it to sleep in the bed with me. I would not do any of the other things listed. Does that mean I don't love my pets? Absolutely not! I buy them treats and toys whenever I feel like it. It doesn't have to be on a particular day. They don't need a party...that would upset them, not make them happy. I just find doing some things for pets ridiculous. Why do animals need to wear costumes, or get 10 toys every birthday? These things make their owners happy. I doubt there's any animal out there who ENJOYS dressing up. It makes their owners happy, so they do it for their happiness. Animals are animals. They are not children. They will never be children. And even though we love them like babies, (I do too), the fact is, they're not. They're our beloved pets, and should be treated that way. Likewise, a child should not be treated like a pet.

[elizabethann]

You mean to tell me Fenway, Maxie & Cosmo are not little people in fur coats?!

I buy my pets presents, give them special treats and let them sleep with me because it makes me happy. And in return, I get unconditional love (and a very warm & cozy bed).

[chocolatepuppy]

You know what? I don't believe people throwing parties for their pets, buying them presents, singing 'happy birthday' to them are doing anything special for their PETS. Why? Because the pet doesn't understand. The human does. It doesn't make the pet happy. Pets don't know when its their birthday, nor do they care. All they know is "Yippee...I got a special treat! Yum!" The owners are not doing it to make their pet happy, even though they may believe that. In reality, doing these little 'spoiling things' for the pet is making the pet's humans happy. People do it for 'their' happiness. The pet would get happy if it got an extra treat on any day. Its similar to someone giving a 3 month old a lovely gift. The baby doesn't understand, but it makes the parents happy.

I don't do any of those things for my pets. My pets are birds, and thus, cannot sleep on my bed. I am too scared of rolling on them at night...however, if I had a cat, I would allow it to sleep in the bed with me. I would not do any of the other things listed. Does that mean I don't love my pets? Absolutely not! I buy them treats and toys whenever I feel like it. It doesn't have to be on a particular day. They don't need a party...that would upset them, not make them happy. I just find doing some things for pets ridiculous. Why do animals need to wear costumes, or get 10 toys every birthday? These things make their owners happy. I doubt there's any animal out there who ENJOYS dressing up. It makes their owners happy, so they do it for their happiness. Animals are animals. They are not children. They will never be children. And even though we love them like babies, (I do too), the fact is, they're not. They're our beloved pets, and should be treated that way. Likewise, a child should not be treated like a pet.

My 'pets' understand they are having fun at these *ridiculous* partys. My 'pets' are my children. It doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks about that. If you don't think it makes my 'pets' happy to have a party, you may come to the next party and see for yourself. They sure don't seem 'upset' to me.
As for the question, who loves their pet more? I don't believe you have to have partys and buy them presents to love them. But it is what I chose to do.