Why do people cry like they lost a relative when their dog dies?

Question

I just don't get it. They are dogs not humans!

Phew... 27 answers in two minutes! I actually love dogs but... they are dogs!

Answer 1

True pet lovers do because our pets ARE part of our family!

Answer 2

You simply don't understand. I would like to share a small article that I read yesterday in a local publication. I found this article to be 100% true, and maybe it will give you some incite as to why people feel so strongly about their pets.

"From time to time people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog, " and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend, " just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog," but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me, and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man." So the next time you hear the phrase, "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."
~Richard Biby

Answer 3

Because in many ways they did lose a relative. For people who build a relationship with a dog, nothing can compare. If I lose one of my dogs, I would probably cry harder and longer than if I did in fact lose one of my human relatives. No relationship I have ever had with a human can come close to the trust, love and devotion I have received from my dogs. Humans are flawed and imperfect, yet somehow we think we are better than dogs. I think not, it is dogs that are better. I have never been hurt or let down by one of my dogs. One of my dogs would NEVER betray me, abuse me or take advantage of me, yet almost every human I've ever known or loved has in one way or another. Someday if you are blessed to know/experience the kind of relationship I have described with a canine, you too will understand why people cry the way they do and mourn the loss of their dogs. It took me 6 years to get over losing a dog I had only 7 months...(I'm not saying I cried everyday but that is how long it took before I stopped feeling this hole in my heart where he used to be). If you truly love and care for a dog and open yourself and your heart up to receiving what they give you in return, perhaps you may feel the way I do and never want to be without a dog in your life as long as you live.

I hope this helps shed some light??

Answer 4

I hope this sincerely helps you get it. For as long as i could remember..age 3 or 4...a dog for some reason held a special place in my heart. I always got along with them...none ever bit me...I could pet any dog anywhere...why I don't know. I've never had children...my choice. I've had multiple dogs all my life. To me...they are more precious than human children. Why...I don't know...it's just the way I am. So when I lose one of my own...it is very, very hard. It's as hard as if you lost a human child. I'm/we are just different people...with our hearts going out to animals. I figure somebody needs to...I'm glad I was picked to be like this. I love my dogs like you love your kids. I don't question your love or make rude remarks like you have done. Is it so tough to be kind? And even if you don't understand...i was taught, if you can't say something nice...don't say anything at all. I really hope this helps. We are normal people...we don't know why animals affect us so...it just is.

Answer 5

A lot of people have issues dealing with human beings (even their own families), animals are far easier to love, they return affection without question, you can yell at them scold them and all but beat them and they'll never disapprove of you or think badly of you, they will still think their owners hang the moon and the stars. My stepmom has no children of her own, although she is like a mother to me, and she would never put one of her pets above me or my sisters, she has a deep attatchment to her dogs, probably because they fill some "primitive need" to mother something when she knows she will never be able to have children of her own, people like her, or people who's children have grown up and left the house, can fill the void of having children in their lives by having pets. Pets are the children that never grow up or leave home, or tell you they hate you or that you're uncool. For me my pets are special, my dog Isabel makes me laugh, and is my companion (and security guard) when my husband is not home (and he's frequently NOT home, he's a US Soldier currently serving in Iraq), I'm never afraid to answer the door (at ANY time of the night) as long as she is beside me (she's a Doberman Pinscher). When my first dog died I cried (someone hit him with their car, and it wasn't an accident), but I think I cried more for the cruelty of it than for my dog. For a lot of people (and for me) their pets ARE part of their family, have you seen people cry over a lost necklace that had special value to them, or what about a house that burns down, are you really so callused to say, why are they crying a house or a necklace in the grand scheme of things is NOT important, those things are not people, they aren't FAMILY, but obviously to those people those things ARE important. And you have to remember different people have different emotional levels, while one person will cry to a sad song, or commercial, others eyes are dry. What makes one person laugh another person "doesn't get" We're all different, and we place different values on different things.

Answer 6

Because they did lose a family member. Just because you don't like them, doesn't mean the rest of the world shouldn't.

Edit: There is no such thing as "just a dog". Dogs are so many things to their people. Best friends, confidants, courage, self-respect, comedians, protection, and it goes on and on. I don't trust another human being with anything, but I know I can trust my dogs. I don't believe in the truth of the love I get from other people, but I know my dogs will *never* abandon me. They never talk back, insult me, hurt me, or say nasty things about me, and they never, ever laugh at me. How could you NOT love someone like that!?

They depend on me to feed them, just as my children do. They depend on me to make them feel better if they are sick, safe if they are scared, and proud when they've done well, just like my children. Why are their souls worth less to you just because they lack the essentials of the human form? (Humans are not the most valiant of species, in case you never watch the news...)

I agree with the others. It is a sad, sad thing that people like you don't understand how to bond with a dog, because it is a gift that changes your whole life. Open yourself up and love a little.

Answer 7

Let's say you were keeping your best friends pet while they were on a trip for a month. You become attached to the pet through no fault of your own. When it was time for your best friend to come and pick up the pet how did you feel? If you at least like dogs, cats then you'd somehow become attached to the pet. Losing something that's dear to you tears you up emotionally. People treat animals better than they do people. That's why there are animal rights.

Answer 8

Have you ever had a dog? Dogs have thier own personalities and are usually accepted as family members rather than 'just a dog' I for one would choose the company of a dog over a lot of the humans I've met in this world....

Answer 9

You must have never had a pet before. When you lose someone you love it hurts. A pet is a wonderful thing to have. Just because it is not a human doesnt mean it doesnt hurt. I had a dog since I was 5 years old. And he just passed away and yes I did cry, I miss him alot. I loved him thats why it hurts so much and thats why you cry. I don't mean to be rude at all, just wanted to say my peace.

Answer 10

Our dogs treat us better than a lot of so called human beings do.
Dogs don't leave us for someone else. Dogs don't physically and mentally abuse us. Dogs don't yell and swear at us and humiliate us in front of others. Dogs don't go out drinking with their friends and then come home drunk and become abusive and think we should want to become romantic with them. Dogs are always happy to see us when we come home whether we've been gone 5 minutes or 5 hours. Dogs love us unconditionally and you never hear a dog say "If you really loved me you'd do ..............." Gee, I don't know why we cry when they die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

Because once you have raised a cat from first born (i.e. my cat Smokie) to a beautiful adult, it becomes a part of the family. No matter if you have raised it since it was a baby or you got it when it was an adult, they embedd their love on you. A part of them are always with you. So when they die, it's like losing your family member. Try having a pet for 10 years and then losing it to cancer 2 weeks before Valentine's. See how you feel then.