Do you think of a pet as a member of the family?

Of course. It's a living thing that needs love, care and warmth...minus the trimmings of dressing them up like humans,etc.i own a golden retriever, and she's become the priority in our lives as he's helpless if we leave her alone to do her needs..so, yes..pets should be treated like a member of the family, and the priority as well!

ABSOLUTELY !

"pets ( animals ) should be treated like a member of the family, and the priority as well!"

The heck with less fortunate human beings, lol.

This question is on a level with 'Is the Pope Catholic?'.

Duh.

Of course. I repeat, duh. That's what pet means, a non-human member of the family.

I wouldn't go that far. "Putting them to sleep" isn't often considered a reasonable medical option for most family members if treatment is too expensive or unproductive.

Cleo, I couldn't agree more.

cabadajeMar. 16, 2013 - 11:20PM JST I wouldn't go that far. "Putting them to sleep" isn't often considered a reasonable medical option for most family members if treatment is too expensive or unproductive.

I've had to "put to sleep" four dogs in my life-time, and every time it was because life was simply too painful for the dog and there was no hope of recovery. I've also probably spent more on vets bills than I've spent on hospital bills. If my parents were in constant pain with no hope of recovery then I don't think any reasonable and loving child would oppose "putting them to sleep".

@Frungy

I've had to "put to sleep" four dogs in my life-time, and every time it was because life was simply too painful for the dog and there was no hope of recovery. I've also probably spent more on vets bills than I've spent on hospital bills. If my parents were in constant pain with no hope of recovery then I don't think any reasonable and loving child would oppose "putting them to sleep".

What any reasonable or loving child would do is up to them. It doesn't change the fact that no doctor is going to advance "putting them to sleep" as an option, nor would the neighbors, friend, and family be quite as casual or sympathetic about hearing their choice to do so to their parents, as opposed to their beloved puppies (which is really rather backwards, if you think about it). Would some understand? Of course. But when all is said and done, a pet is a pet, and we love them, and we go through great pain and struggle to make them part of our family...but no matter how much we love them and no matter how much we tell ourselves they are just as valuable as any other member of our family (and in some cases, more), there will always be limits and values placed on their lives that are rarely even considered for humans.

Yep, so I guess you could say I lost a family member 6 months ago. I still miss my bud. Sickens me when people get pets for status and then abandons them when they are no longer interested or the pet no longer fits the bill.

Im going to be honest here.

While I bear no judgement whatsoever on those who do feel like losing a dog is the same as losing a child, (I would never mock them or say they are wrong) I absolutely do not understand this sentiment at ALL.

I like dogs as much as the next person, would never want to harm animals, but in the event of a massive natural disaster, where resources are limited and I had to dish out the rations, It would be my children and husband getting the food and water over that of an animal.

no matter how much we love them and no matter how much we tell ourselves they are just as valuable as any other member of our family (and in some cases, more), there will always be limits and values placed on their lives that are rarely even considered for humans.

So they're not family members because they're not treated exactly the way humans are? Well, when my kids were little they weren't treated the same way my husband was (no consultation over family finances, no power to dictate family 'rules' or even decide their own bed time). Thankfully they never needed medical treatment for a life-threatening condition, but if they had, they would have had no say in their treatment, it being the responsibility of their parents to make decisions in their best interests. Same with furry/feathery family members. No one says they have to be treated exactly the same.

Like Frungy I've known the pain of having to release a dog that had no quality of life left to her - blind, deaf, epileptic, in constant pain and marginally senile.

I wonder if kimuzukashii has ever had a dog in her family? If you haven't walked in a person's shoes.....the loss of a beloved animal is shattering.

We have a stockpile of critter food in readiness for an emergency, so they would not be taking anything from humans in the event of a disaster. While I would not allow my kids/grandkids to go without, I would gladly share my water with my dog and cat, and imagine Mr cleo would do the same.

I have had a dog in my family, and a cat too. And admittedly, when they died it was fairly sad.

I have also lost a child through miscarriage , and my mother and sister have both had premature and stillborn children, who were sadly born sleeping.

To compare any of those three situations with the death of an animal, is just unthinkable to me. It makes me incredibly angry to hear people describe "losing an animal" like "losing a child" because frankly they are incomparable.

kimuzukashii, first let me say that I am sorry for your loss. I imagine the pain of losing a child is something that has to be experienced to be truly understood, and for most of us it is, thankfully, an experience we are spared.

But as I tried to explain before, family members don't all have to be the same or equal to be family members. Children start off totally under their parents' control, and gradually develop and grow into independent human beings; dogs and cats stay forever 'children'.

We understand when we welcome an animal into the family (if we have any sense) that it will not be as long-lived as a human member: so a dog dying at age 4 or 14 is of course in no way comparable to the death of a 4-year-old or 14-year-old child. At the other extreme, while losing a parent is traumatic at any time, we (again, if we have any sense) are more prepared for the loss of a parent who has reached old age, and may even feel a sense of relief if death brings an end to their pain or suffering. Of course it's sad when they die, but I doubt many people would claim a parent was not a family member just because our response to the death of an octogenarian or a nonagenarian is not comparable to our response to the premature death of a parent in the prime of life.

kimuzukashiiiii

I understand where you are coming from. But this is just me, if I was stranded somewhere with food and water, I would of gave my pet a bit of it as well as my family, even if I had to take from my own portion. While I am maybe fed and rested, I would be mentally sick, no way I could sit there and watch it suffer. I mean it doesn't take a whole lot of food to feed an animal compared to a human.

We had to put my dog to sleep 25 years ago, and I don't go a month without dreaming of running about in the park together. The happiest times of my life, without a shadow of a doubt, and anyone who wants to try to tell me animals are incapable of love can kiss my ring.

I can think of a number of family members past and present I could have jettisoned with much less soul-searching than I had to give to reach that decision.