Do you think that we Americans have blurred the line between human and animal?

Question

Pet daycare, airconditioners in dog houses, gourmet doggie diners (I saw this with my own eyes on the Animal Planet channel), referring to them as our children, and even giving human names... I actually love animals and have an adorable calico kitty at home. But, I just think that most of the money and love that we lavish on our four-legged friends should be given to benefit the homeless, orphans, terminally ill...PEOPLE of the world.

Answer 1

l love animals too, & have 2 large 'escape-artist' dogs that neighbors weren't able to keep home ... (who chased off the stray cat I'd been feeding, which never showed it's face again). They were young & sweet, & breeds that are difficult to find homes for, so became our 'dear doggies' ...
I grew up with cats. Our cats weren't spayed, so I played nursemaid to several litters, & one became my special pet/friend/companion. So ...
I know how Important pets can be for the lonely/isolated/& otherwise disabled.
I've also learned that such is a situation that can lead to people developing Very strong feelings of attachment to their pets, sometimes going overboard. I now think of animals as the very near equivalent of 'disabled' children ... with feelings, needs, & development similar to children's. Their emotional/mental development depends on how much stimulation they receive, including how much affection & attention, also the consistency of appropriate training.
The following article helped me to balance my feelings toward animals. The rest that I've listed, do an excellent job of explaining how (& why) I feel about surrounding/related issues that your question has brought to my mind, which I feel you might also enjoy reading ...

Animals--A Gift From God
... Pets—Keep a Balanced View of Them
...... Animals—A Pleasure Forever
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2004/2/22a/article_01.htm

Bringing Up Baby in the Wild
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/1/22/article_01.htm
The Importance of Nurturing Your Child
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2004/10/22a/article_02.htm
Harsh Words, Crushed Spirits
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1997/8/8/article_01.htm

HUMANS--Just Higher Animals? :
... Humans-Who Are We?
...... In the Image of God or Beast?
......... Looking Up, Not Down, for Answers
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/6/22/article_01.htm

Can Man Bring an End to Poverty?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2005/5/15/article_01.htm
When Will No One Be Poor?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1995/5/1/poor_wait.htm
"Look! I Am Making All Things New"
http://www.watchtower.org/library/lmn/index.htm?article=article_01.htm

Answer 2

If Paris Hilton has kids, do you think she will get their clothes from K-mart so she can send the money she saved to a third-world country?

What you need to keep in mind here is that the type of people you are talking about. The type of person that can afford all of these extravagant arrangements is the same type of person who will spend $100.00 (or more) on a $5.00 t-shirt. The things you mention are for more to benefit the owner, who would remain selfish and self-centered even without a pet.

Answer 3

As Much as I love animals you are right! I work in a shelter and take alot of heat from the public because we have to euthanize unwanted,dogs and cats due to overbreeding and neglect...We simply run out of room...I take comfort in the fact that these dogs have been fed,taken care of at the shelter ect! And then I think about people in other countries who would give ANYTHING to livein our Dog runs...Its a Roof over there head! We have companies that donate dog food/cat food..medical supplies...Its a shame that their are children that dont have that in this world....Our animals die a painfree death...While people cant afford their pain meds! Very sad and wrong! Plus Drugs that cost humans a bundle...They cost vets pennies a pill...I dont know if its a lower quality or what!

Answer 4

I think that it is up to the owner if they want to than let them i feel sorry for all the starving people but there are just as many animals out there that are starving they do not make that choice and true not all humans do eather but some do how many animals say i am going to starve not work or whatever. If you have the money to do those nice things for your pet well than who am i to say no but also try to help out people too.

Answer 5

Perhaps people become so isolated or fragmented in their daily, stressful lives they can only depend on their pets for unconditional love and acceptance. Thus, they shower these indispensable animals with an unnecessary extravagance. On the other hand, animals are living beings who can feel pain just like humans. It is up to humans to watch out and care for their domesticated animals. Also, we need to care for animals in the wild. Do not feed wild animals or do them harm. We are all part of the ecosystem and deserve to live and do our 'thing" according to nature's plan. Of course we must be charitable in helping needy people whenever we are able.

Answer 6

While I agree that we should be more concerned with taking care of our fellow humans than with pampering an animal kept solely for companionship, I disagree with your belief that there is a sharp line separating us from the animals. Humans are animals. In fact, it is not surprising that a love of non-human animals (e.g., calico kitties) often accompanies a love of human animals, considering the lack of distinction. I commend the humane concern evinced by your question.

Answer 7

I agree, I also think this is at least partly responsible for how many nasty pets we have ( oh Fifi is the best "the owner coos" as the little dog is growling and snapping at everyone that walks by) I really don't think this is good for the dogs. How many neurotic dogs are there now? What happened to Training them? I have big dogs and trust me If the weren't trained no one would think they were cute. Why is it ok to have mean little dogs..... yes their teeth are smaller but If they ever got hold of one of my kids the damage would still be horrible....

Answer 8

Yes, we do. We treat animals like humans.

Also, whenever an anti-feminist contradicts a feminist he always compares her to an animal. Like:
"Female animals have/nuture their children. Female humans should do the same and only that!"

But, there are many paternal fathers: Seahorses and Peguins for example that always escapes that comparison.

So, yeah, we have a blurred line.

Answer 9

I totally agree with you as part of the money used in Animal luxury could be used to save people from starvation and poverty in the world...Animals are nice creatures to take care of..but not to the extinct that we put airconditioners in dog houses and leave people outhere to die.

Answer 10

Are you talking about the blurring the line between the NEEDS of humans and animals?

Personally, I don't believe there is a big line between humans and animals in a biological sense.