Dogs as "Family Members"... what do u think?

Question

i read a question on here posted by someone asking why people consider their dogs part of the family. it got me thinking... i really do consider my dog an active part of my family. i am not silly enough to think she is my genetic child like this person was making out people think, but my dog is my little girl. i love her as part of my family and do not look at her and think "shes a dog, i own her". i do not believe i "own" her as such, i just believe she exists and i am lucky enough for her to be living with me. i hate the term "own" when it comes to pets. i hate to think that we can actually "own" another living thing.

just wanted to get some responses about peoples opinions on how much u consider your dog a part of ur family and not just a pet. also conflicting views if u wish, if u DO look at ur dog as just a pet. i am not here to judge anyone, this question just got me thinking about dog lovers. answer away, i cant wait to read other peoples views on this subject! =)

ok, i thought i should add my own opinion about me own dog. she is wonderful. she had a very hard life before she lived with me and i think she deserves the best of everything, much like a child who has been through abuse beserves a good break. i dont have children, so for now, my dog Lilie is my "fur child". it just so happens she is a dog! i feed her, bathe her, brush her hair, take her to the doctor when she is sick just like i would a child. im not jaded enough to actually think my dog is my genetic child, but she realy is part of the family. my fiancee (who has only ever owned big, tough dogs) swoons over her like she is everything to him. (Lilie is a maltese x poodle). i couldne imagine my life withour her- she is amazing and we share so much together in our day to day life. we do everything together- she is like my best friend. shes not "just a dog" to me... well, there u go, thts my story!! =)

Answer 1

When I had both my dogs (I have one now, the other one passed away a few weeks ago), they were my family.I live half way across the US from my family and my boyfriend's family is sort of my family, but not really. All and all the only "family" I really had (if my boyfriend and I broke up) is my dog.

They are there emotionally. When i'm upset and crying and just want to sleep, my dog jumps up and licks me and finds a spot next to me and sleeps with me. When I'm angry and feel like I'm loosing it, my dog run in the room with a toy in her mouth ready to play and I forget whatever is going on and play with her.

I spend money on my dog like. When I had my older dog I paid money out and scraficed like crazy to make sure she recieved the care she needed for her arthritis. My mother said it was unecessary to get her X-rays, I said it was because I loved her to pieces and just needed to be sure, needed to know.

My puppy is spoiled. I enrolled in training course, not for her sake but for my so I can get educated on the proper care of a dog, so I will know what to do. I enrolled her in Agility because she's going nutty with attention and we both need something to do. So we can do it together (like mother and daughter).

My puppy sleeps with me in my bed. Although childrens need their own bed and she does too, but he I love cuddling with her and she needs to be near me.

I need her just as much as she needs me. Is she my "child," yes.
I get her in activities, I pay for her medical bills, I play with her, spent time with her, talk to her, I pay for toys, treats, food, clothing (it gets cold here), etc. I overreact and rush her to the vet for the simplest things (a bruise from playing around from her) or because I find that this isn't "just wax" but something else (end up being a yeast infection in her ear).

I say yes people can laugh at me because I call her my "daughter" or my "baby" or I'm her "mommy" because in a way she is. All that I ask in return for her is to love me and spent time with me.At the end of the day, I say I'm the luckiest person in the world to have her.

So YES my puppy (miniature pinscher 7 months old) is my family (more like my daughter).

Answer 2

Up until a few years ago, my dogs were just dogs to me. I was at a flea market & a couple people walked by carrying little black puppies that were about 2-3 months old. My wife wanted one, but I wasn't so sure, I already had an outstanding bird dog, and the last thing I wanted was a little anklebiter running around in the house.

Anyway, I found the puppy salesman and reached in the box containing 2 black furballs and one salt&pepper with ears like a rabbit. I thought the long eared little guy was different somehow, so after a bit of haggling the price, I had a schnauzer / jack russell mix for 5 bucks.

He turned out to be the dog of a lifetime, incredibly smart & active like a russell, fearless and protective as a schnauzer, and the finest watchdog I have ever known.
From that moment on, my dogs have been family members.

Answer 3

Any dog can be a great family dog, labs and retrievers are really well known for that but it really is how you raise and train the dog. When I was little I had a retired police dog, a Rottweiler who was amazingly gentle and tolerant, I used to stick my ballet tutu on him and ride him around the house. He was from a shelter, and he was a breed that doesn't have the reputation of gentle. Mutts are great, and usually have less health problems that purebreads, and you can get a history from the shelter as well as take the dog for a walk and introduce it to your children to make sure it is the right fit for you and your family. There are many shelter dogs who are still just puppies, or some that were born right in the shelter who just need a good home. I understand that you want the safest option for your family, and I would too, so just make sure you spend a lot of time with the shelter dogs, and remember that the people who work there are there to help you, they don't want the dogs to go to just any home, they want the forever home, so they will work with you to make sure the dog is a great fit for your family. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I agree 100%. I feel terrible if I can't bring Lola along. She is a little stocky 7 month old Boston. It is so cold that if I have to do major shopping and she will be in the car to long. I actually feel guilty. She is my baby. I don't have children yet. She is my girl thats for sure. She is everywhere I am. I also have a cat of 8 years. I love him dearly. If he is outside and doesn't come back for the day (he does this in warmer months) I have a hard time going to work. I just want him to be ok, not hurt or beat up. He is a lover not a fighter. I have clothes for the dog she gets cold so easy. I bought a plug in heater as she get too cold without it. I love my pets. I wish more people shared our view. Thanks for the questions.

Answer 5

Yes. I do the same. I own a Jack Russell terrier and he's absolutely part of the family. Sometimes he also thinks he's part of the family as he wants to be included in everything! Some people think its weird but if you are a dog lover you'll clearly understand it.

I even let my dog sleep on my bed. Because they give unconditional love and loyalty which makes them really part of the family.

Answer 6

well, until my dog starts paying part of the rent, the grocery bill, the energy bills, the direct tv bill, does laundry, vaccums the floor, does dishes, cleans the toilet, etc, etc, etc, i will continue to say i own him. that being said, i love my dog with every ounce of my being and do everything in my power to make his life a happy existence. i feel my dog adds a lot to my life as well and i sometimes actually smile and laugh when he is smiling and happy too. i do consider my dog part of my family just as, by nature, he see me as the leader of his dog pack. my dog does come into play when i make decisions about girls i will date (if she doesn't like dogs she is out quickly) and most generally his place in my life is considered when i make any decision that would affect him. at one point i was taking a job far from where i lived and considered giving him away to a very nice doctor's home but when the deal was all but finalized i cried so hard (about as hard as i did when my mom died) that i had to reconsider and tell the guy i couldn't give him away and instead alter my plans although i didn't turn down the job. i take pictures of my dog and place them in my house just like i do with my mom, dad, brothers and sisters. now, that being said, by nature (if i had a family) my dog would HAVE to be the lowest member of the family as any dog that thinks he has a higher place in the family tree will challenge other family members authority and place within the pack. so i guess what i'm saying is in my family the humans are full partners while the dog is a junior partner only.

Answer 7

My 3 Dogs and 1 cat Are My Great Family members

Answer 8

I work in a vet clinic, I see people from all shades on this rainbow of emotions! I am of the feeling that my dogs and cats are a very special part of my family. My husband and I have the responsibility to provide a good life for our 'children' but if it came down to it, the dog will go have to wait if he and my husband both needed surgery at the same time. but I did spend $800 on my old girl to get her through a medical emergency while our car sat in the repair shop and we both were walking to work. But others feel they are just an object and not worth investing money into. The emotional return I get from my dog and cats, it is worth more than money to me.

Answer 9

I think of my dog as part of the family! I'd be lost without him. I have a miniature schnauzer and we all think he's part of our family, and I know he thinks so too! We actually picked each other out when I was looking at puppies. :)
These days people love to spoil and pamper their dogs and just look at all the business Petco and Petsmart do. I know I love to spoil mine. And dogs are so faithful too and forgiving--such wonderful companions! I think most people out there think the same way! I hope so anyway. If not, they're not getting all they could out of life. (Can you tell that I love dogs?!!)

Answer 10

Of course your dog is a part of your family. And it is a pet. But it's not a pet rock. A dog needs training and discipline and love, and needs to know that it's part of the pack that you lead. If any of those elements are missing, you are in for trouble.