Why do dog people always equate dogs with children, it's just a dog.?

Question

Dogs can be nice to have around but they basically hang around for the free food.

Answer 1

Please take time to educate yourself on the human animal bond and the role animals play in many peoples lives. I have several clilents that say their animals have kept them from commiting suicide and have helped their mentally handicapped chidren develop. I guess some dogs just have a greater compassion and ability to love just like humans.
-a dvm

Here's one link by the way
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/chab/bond.htm

Answer 2

I don't think that most "dog people" do equate dogs with children- they're an intregral part of their lives and well loved but not children. I don't have any kids and I do have a dog that I love dearly and would do anything for. She's not a replacement for a child, she's just a great dog that has been with me and loved me for 11 years. Responsible dog owners know that dogs do form attachments. Even though my dog loves my parents, she gets upset with me if I leave her with them for a week or so while I go on vacation. She knows when I'm upset or happy- not just when I might feed her food. Although there are some people who do go overboard in treating a dog like a child, most just treat their dogs very well because they are great (and sometimes the only) companions!

Answer 3

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, its 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 makes 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 others 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 is 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 is not “just a dog”, but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a man or woman”.

So the next time you hear the phrase, “just a dog”, just smile - - because they “just don’t understand.”

Answer 4

I can tell you right now, you have never had a dog that was a loyal and faithful companion. My dog would die of starvation and never leave my side should that become necessary. They may be dependent upon us to feed and care for them, but in return you get unconditional love and loyalty and friendship that does not exist in any purer form. When the world seems to turn it's back on you, they will be by your side. When you take a dog into your family - that's what you are making it - a family member. If you have a dog for any other reason, you have no business owning a dog

Answer 5

it's obvious you no nothing about dogs. I am a dog person. we equate dogs with children because in ways, they are alike. Taking care of an animal is a responsibilty. They can't bath themselves, feed themselves,etc. They need constant care just like a child. Animals replace children for people who don't have children. They also become part of the family. It is not just a dog. It is a living and breathing thing. One of God's creations. I personally don't want children and never did. My animals mind better then most kids i have ever seen

Answer 6

Dogs fufill a basic need to nurtcher in people. It is not always the best thing for the dogs as the ones treated like children are often spoiled and have behavior problems.
I have them becasue I like to spend time working and training with them and mine are hunting dogs we hunt so we need some thing to point and flush game. Dogs work cheap in opinion.
They take love and care but give back unconditional love to the owner.

Answer 7

You're obviously not a dog person! They don't hang around just for the food. Dogs are social pack animals & the family is its "pack". They are protective of the pack members and affectionate with pack members. Besides, husbands seldome dance in circles when wives come home from work, like the dog does!

Answer 8

Dogs are awesome as they give you unconditional love and I was thinking if only they could talk but talking would make them human.........and who wants to be human as we think we are the top of the food chain and all else reigns under us.
Dogs can replace something that you have missed growing up as a child and can be your best friend. It is true,dogs can be a mans best friend as the saying goes and why we equate our dogs as children because dogs can be the one thing we keep in our control until they die as yes we feed, love and train them to patronize us. Children grow up and leave the nest so to speak and are not in your control anymore even though you are still their parent. Dogs remain as our children and psychologically this aspect is very comforting to most animal lovers.

Answer 9

Young people and ones without children do this the most. They need a child stand in basically. Once people have a real child they begin to understand there is no comparison. I love all my animals but I would give every single one of them up in a second for my kids if I had to. Anyone who has kids should feel the same way or they should have just stuck to animals.

Answer 10

I treat my dog like a child because I an very attached to him. It has less to do with the dog and more to do with me. I just love him too much to make him stay outside or eat cheap dog food, for example.

But, I do think that he hangs around me for more than just food. I think that he is attached to me- he gets depressed everytime that I leave.

Answer 11

you are crazy! my dog is a member of the family! she rides the golf cart and boat alot. eats at the same time as us. sleeps in my parents room. and i spend as much money on dogtreats as i do candy! i know that dogs arent children but my dog is like a sibling to me and i couldnt live without having a dog. if you realy want the answer to this question live with a dog all your life and then imagine not having one!