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dave2big
81 / male
somewhere, Nebraska, US
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am i just weird ???
ok, here is my question... why dont i feel very much for the "plight" of animals? have a friend whose dog was taken quite ill due to eating some of the tainted dog food. i was saddened by it, but really didnt understand what all the fuss was about. after all , its ONLY a dog!! my late parents had a cat that they BOTH adored(i could never figure out why,the damn thing had NO personality!!maybe as i have gotten older, i have lost perspective on this subject of being close to your pets.... i just dont get it, if it was a PERSON that was ill, i would feel much,much stronger about it. i would really appreciate some input on this thread........
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| April 2, 2007, 12:35 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: am i just weird ???
I just recently lost a 18 year old cat, I've taken in many abandoned, abused, and sick animals...it's just a deep respect for life and living things...in general....a kind of spiritual respect for all things alive and living.
A willingness to respect and cohabitate with all other life forms.
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| April 2, 2007, 12:39 |
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dave2big
81 / male
somewhere, Nebraska, US
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Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (Chazzy @ April 2, 2007, 12:39)I just recently lost a 18 year old cat, I've taken in many abandoned, abused, and sick animals...it's just a deep respect for life and living things...in general....a kind of spiritual respect for all things alive and living.
A willingness to respect and cohabitate with all other life forms.
chazzy, while i have the utmost respect for you AND your actions involving animals, and would NEVER harm, or allow anyone else to harm an animal, that doesnt answer my question. why cant i feel much when it comes to the plight of pets???
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| April 2, 2007, 12:44 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
Do you have a pet? Have you ever rescued one from the streets or a shelter?
I dunno doode...it comes naturally for me, there's no way for me to turn it off, maybe no way for you to turn it on...
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| April 2, 2007, 12:49 |
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Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (Chazzy @ April 2, 2007, 12:49)Do you have a pet? Have you ever rescued one from the streets or a shelter?
I dunno doode...it comes naturally for me, there's no way for me to turn it off, maybe no way for you to turn it on...
I'm a sucker for a lap cat or a dog that just looks up at me and begs to be petted. I accidentally ran over a dog when I was 16 y/o and it took me quite a while to get past it. Be they strays or gifted to me, I love them all...... 
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| April 2, 2007, 13:02 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: am i just weird ???
I'm trying to say something helpful to ya here....and I don't know what to say...there's just something about animals...you look at them, even speak to them..and they look right back you square in the eyes, even though the "noise" they hear comes from your mouth, they will still look you dead in the eyes...there's some real connection between most humans and animals...anything that will look you directly into yours eyes, surely must have a soul!
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| April 2, 2007, 13:03 |
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dave2big
81 / male
somewhere, Nebraska, US
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Re: am i just weird ???
the last "pet" that i had,was the family black lab,Jocko. he died on my 18th birthday and since he was actually my fathers dog and just a playmate to me, and dad was ill, i had to bury him. it meant nothing to me at the time other than he wasnt there any more. maybe i AM the heartless jerk after all, i just dont get WHY PEOPLE GET SO DAMNED ATTACHED to an animal.....
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| April 2, 2007, 13:03 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: am i just weird ???
You sound like someone who just has not bonded with one, one on one...not a cold hearted person, just a person who has yet to experience it personally ...
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| April 2, 2007, 13:05 |
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dave2big
81 / male
somewhere, Nebraska, US
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Re: am i just weird ???
dear chazzy, i think i see what you mean, and thanks for your input!!!
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| April 2, 2007, 13:28 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: am i just weird ???
Give it a try maybe...go to your local shelter and do a walk through, I'm bettin some sweet creature, cat or dog, kitten or puppy...will bond with you on site, especially if you go knowing that if these living precious things don't find a home soon,what the only options are for them...yeah, there are "no kill" shelters, but most humane animal shelters don't have the funds to run their organizations as a "no kill" shelter.
I don't think anyone can ever know the really true meaning of unconditional love, until they make room in thier homes for a pet.
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| April 2, 2007, 13:50 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
...and now for another one of my "soap box" moments...
Anyone who decides, wants to, or will rescue a stray or abandoned animal...google up "united animal nation" they will pay for the vet bills of an animal you rescue that is in need of medical attention...I can send you the link direct if you message me.
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| April 2, 2007, 13:52 |
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dave2big
81 / male
somewhere, Nebraska, US
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Re: am i just weird ???
while i DO appreciate what you are trying to do Chazzy, i live in a low-rent apt that doesnt allow animals. if i ever get to move to the country, i can and will go the humane society and adopt a dog. still cant think i could ever get close enough to ANY animal to grieve very long over its death tho.......
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| April 2, 2007, 14:04 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
I'm sure you can! And if it's your dream to live out in the country, I hope you acheive that soon...I sooo love my hillbilly life!
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| April 2, 2007, 14:07 |
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Liberalwife
47 / female
north, England, UK
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Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (dave2big @ April 2, 2007, 14:04)while i DO appreciate what you are trying to do Chazzy, i live in a low-rent apt that doesnt allow animals. if i ever get to move to the country, i can and will go the humane society and adopt a dog. still cant think i could ever get close enough to ANY animal to grieve very long over its death tho.......
You might think that way now Dave, but when that time comes, it's
heartbreaking.,,(well personally, it is for me anyway.) My dog, is like a family member to me. I love her to bits, spoil her rotten and don't mind admitting it. 
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| April 2, 2007, 15:20 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
Many people feel pets the same as their children.
In some cases, the pets are a replacement because the person never married. Is about companionship and being able to care for something alive.
That and pets are more honest and loyal than people.
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| April 2, 2007, 16:33 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
It's more than just a secondary replacement for those without children, even families with children make pets a part of their family.
There's just something about those living breathing souls that love you the same day after day, even when it seems the whole world forsakes or hate us...we are never overweight or ugly in their eyes, they don't care what we look like, what we drive or what our net worth is...they depend on us for everything and expect nothing from us but companionship .
When a pet dies of old age, it's acceptable but sad, we gave them a good long life..but when one dies suddenly too young, it's painful, we feel we have let them down...
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| April 2, 2007, 19:38 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
I took in a kitten that was a sweetheart. WE already had a dog named AMOS so I named the kitten ANDI. Get it, AMOS and ANDI? What a pair! Sometimes the dog would pester and chase the cat around and sometimes the reverse would occur. They would sleep together. They genuinely liked each other. ANDI unfortunately, got hit by a car and died. AMOS would whine because he missed ANDI! When AMOS died of old age, I cried like a baby. 
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| April 2, 2007, 21:23 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
When I was a child, I would cry everytime I lost an animal. But now, I make them a big part of my home, almost like another child, and just do my best to protect them and give them a good life. When one dies, I am sad, and will normally go buy or find a replacement for the lost one. But, I can honestly say, that the first Sharpie that I had will never be able to be replaced. I went out a bought another after he was stolen, but he just was not the same. He was the best dog I ever had. They are very protective over children. He was pulling my trailer Bar-B-Q pit up the inclined drive to protect my son from the mailman. Now that was a sight. I will forever miss that one.
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| April 2, 2007, 23:37 |
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slowpoke2
52 / male
aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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Re: Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (Liberalwife @ April 2, 2007, 15:20) QUOTE (dave2big @ April 2, 2007, 14:04)while i DO appreciate what you are trying to do Chazzy, i live in a low-rent apt that doesnt allow animals. if i ever get to move to the country, i can and will go the humane society and adopt a dog. still cant think i could ever get close enough to ANY animal to grieve very long over its death tho.......
You might think that way now Dave, but when that time comes, it's
heartbreaking.,,(well personally, it is for me anyway.) My dog, is like a family member to me. I love her to bits, spoil her rotten and don't mind admitting it.
i agree with you honey, i was in tears and heart broken when i lost my dog after having it from the pup till it was nearly 10 yo, it was a family member
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| April 2, 2007, 23:54 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
Dave, I have a niece that feels the same way you do about animals. One of their chihuahuas was attacked by a large dog when he ventured down the road to check out some goats (he's fascinated by them for some reason lol). He was ripped open from stomach to back. My brother and his wife were heartbroken, took him to the vet and got him fixed up. My niece was neutral about the whole thing. She couldn't understand why everyone was making such a big fuss about it. By the way, she's in college studying forensic science... I can see how it wouldn't affect her in a certain way, I guess.
I think what I'm trying to say is this. You're not alone. There are a lot of people that think of an animal as just that.... an animal. Take certain farmers, for instance. Their dogs are meant to work. They sleep outside and the farmer only has content with them to feed and work with them. That's it! When the dog passes away, they replace it with another working dog.
You may never feel the way some of us feel about our pets. That's fine. Especially since you said that you would never harm or let anyone harm an animal. BUT! There may come a time when you look into the eyes of a dog or a cat and something will click.... and maybe you'll feel it.
I sure hope this helps. 
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| April 3, 2007, 10:06 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
Good job, Moon!
I just love Dave for asking about this...wonderieng about it...it really shows that he does want to understand about people and their pets, and understand and respect thier grief when they have lost one.
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| April 3, 2007, 10:45 |
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Re: am i just weird ???
Lost a toy dachsund when I was a teenager. Truly broke my heart.
Since then, it's only been a couple of ladies who've done as much damage.
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| April 3, 2007, 12:22 |
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lizonya
64 / couple
lake elsinore, California, US
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Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (Chazzy @ April 2, 2007, 13:03)I'm trying to say something helpful to ya here....and I don't know what to say...there's just something about animals...you look at them, even speak to them..and they look right back you square in the eyes, even though the "noise" they hear comes from your mouth, they will still look you dead in the eyes...there's some real connection between most humans and animals...anything that will look you directly into yours eyes, surely must have a soul!
omg, i couldn't have explained the connection any better. i lost my uncle and my 4 year old vizsla one month apart from eachother. it may seem weird but i grieved more for the dog. maybe because i saw my uncle's death coming and the dog's was such a freak death. he was only 4 years old. and since i don't have children these guys are my furry kids.
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| April 3, 2007, 14:18 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: am i just weird ???
QUOTE (MoonHowler @ April 3, 2007, 10:06)
...Take certain farmers, for instance. Their dogs are meant to work. They sleep outside and the farmer only has content with them to feed and work with them. That's it! When the dog passes away, they replace it with another working dog....
That's true, people who depend on animals for their livelihood, whether it's livestock that goes to market or the barn cats that keep the mice population down, and the dogs that have their jobs to do...these people can detach themselves from THESE animals, but still have a house pet that they would certainly grieve over if they were to loose them.
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| April 4, 2007, 10:35 |
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