In the reading
for today the question of why humans (and only humans) love pets was posed; unfortunately,
as the author illustrates throughout the chapter, there is not one clear-cut
answer. Instead, this chapter provides several different explanations for the
human-pet relationship we see today: pets can make people happier and
healthier, pets relieve stress, a love for pets could possibly be genetic,
loving and having pets could also possibly be an evolved or a cultural adaptation.
However, the chapter also points out the flaws associated with each of these
arguments. So, why do we love pets? Personally, I love pets because they are
inherently better than people. What I mean is that animals, and thus pets, act
based on their natural instincts in order to survive, rather than on any
malevolent or petty intentions—as humans sometimes do. In this way, animals are
innocent in a way that not all humans are.
Furthermore, what
is really fascinating to me is that, as a culture, we are now trying to turn
our pets into people—as was illustrated in the section of the chapter concerned
with this exact phenomenon. In the text, the author says that this “new phase”
of the human-animal relationship is indeed occurring but he really does not
address why. What is going on in our culture that suddenly has people spending
such exorbitant amounts of money on things their animals really do not need? I
think there are three factors that have led to the evolution of this trend: the
growing interest in animal welfare, the present consumer mind-set of our
society, and the continued and growing desire to anthropomorphize our pet’s
behavior. In conjunction, these three elements have led people to pay for
superfluous items in an attempt to give their animals the “best possible lives”—as
seen through the eyes of their owners. As I mentioned above, I basically love
animals because they are not people; therefore, I can only hope that this
current trend does not get too out-of-hand (if it has not already).
- Caroline Thrasher
- Caroline Thrasher
In 2008 my mom and I bought a Chihuahua. Since then we have, unconsciously treated her more like a person. My dog (or more my mom's dog) has a closet of her own bursting at the seems with sweater, costumes, bathing suits, and I will add she even has Tommy Bahama and Juicy Couture clothes. We even sign all our Christmas cards with the names of our beloved pets, and they too get Christmas presents. As I was reading this chapter I thought why do we do all this stuff for my dog? She likes her sweaters, but certainly doesn’t need a closet full of them. But, Cassie is apart of our family, and we treat her like we would treat ourselves. We have humanized our pet.
ReplyDeleteI have also been interested in the amount of money people spend on their pets. Such as this article:
http://www.incrediblethings.com/lists/14-ridiculously-expensive-pet-products/
I also found some people who cloned their puppy for a high price tag:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141574/First-couple-clone-pet-dog-paid-155-000-job-say-new-pup-mannerisms-dead-Labrador.html
Not to mention this person who spent 1.5 million dollars on a dog:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tibetan-mastiff-big-splash-sells-for-15-million-worlds-most-expensive-dog/
I too am on the side where I enjoy animals more than people, but I don’t think I will ever hit these extremes.
-Heather Gosnell
ReplyDeleteI found your three factors leading humans to spend large quantities of money on their pets was interesting and I agree with them. I particularly liked the last two factors, the present consumer mind-set of our society and the continued and growing desire to anthropomorphize our pet's behavior. I think there is a difference between spending money towards an animal's health and spending money on animal clothing and accessories. As Herzog claimed if you spend 20 dollars on a dog coat the coat is for your dog but if you spend 200 dollars on a dog coat the coat is for you. I think the underlying factor is what we feel, think or understand to be important based on our culture and personal opinions. If you find labels to be important you are most likely going to transfer that opinion in some way or form onto your pet.
In some way animals are simply accessories for some people although I do not like to think of my pets that way and I do not think most people do.
When I visited my brother in New York I was astonished at the amount of stores that only sold dog clothing. I could not believe when Professor Highfill talked of plastic surgery for dogs. But then I realized this has been around for many years for example the docking of ears and tails. I worked for a vet who greatly hated performing those procedures and started to refuse to do them all together. Spending money on health over beauty is probably a better way to help your pet.
Respondent: Ann Marie Arnold
This video and article are a little silly but I thought it went along nicely with the anthropomorphizing of pets. I am not sure if it is a phenomenon but over the years I have heard of people leaving their fortunes to their animals. This article starts off discussing a cat whose owner left him with a $13 million fortune.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong but I think this is a relatively new occurrence and it is happening around the world not just in the United States. I think it is great the owners want to secure happiness and good health for their pet's future but $13 million? I guess this could be done out of spite for relatives but I find it really interesting that animals are left with these fortunes and so far it seems as if countries acknowledge this fact.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/woman-leaves-13m-fortune-to-pet-cat/
Researcher: Ann Marie Arnold
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI found this article titled, “Do Americans love their dogs to much?” We talked about buying our pet’s clothes and toys in class, but this article talks about a TV station specifically for dogs, not dog owners, but dogs. Direct TV offers DOGTV for “stay-at-home” dogs, which supposedly stimulates the dog while he or she is home alone.
ReplyDeleteAnother fact that they bring up in this article is that during the beginning of the recession, spending for our pets increased while donations for charities decreased. With all of the money spent on pets, people could have provided for the homeless and completely eradicate homelessness.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/0906/Do-Americans-love-their-dogs-too-much
I found it incredibly crazy in this chapter the amount of money people will spend on their pets. I love my pets as much as anyone. I would probably spend excessive amounts of money on vet bills. But I would never pay for spa treatments or fancy clothes. I don't even think animals should wear clothes and I'd be willing to bet anything they are happier without them. The exception might be a short-haired animal that lives in extremely cold temperatures. But otherwise, every time I see an animal wearing clothes it looks, in my opinion, miserable.
ReplyDeleteI consider my pets to be family members. When my dog died almost a year ago it really did feel like losing a family member. I have cried for every pet I have lost, but there are some family members that have passed that I never shed a tear for. I feel a little guilty about it, but my connections with my pets (whom I consider family members) were much stronger in some cases.
I sometimes think about if my pets really care about me or miss me when I'm gone. I like to think they do, but knowing what I know about anthropomorphism, I'm not sure. I think people desire this connection with an animal. Even if the unconditional love we interpret from our pets is just a mere reliance on us for their basic needs, it still means we are needed, and in that sense maybe it makes us feel fulfilled and gives us a sense of purpose.
Jill - Responder
ReplyDeleteI personally think it is insane how much people on average each year spend on their pets. Even when we had the guest speaker come in an talk about his non profit organization, he was shooting out these numbers and I was astonished. but on the other hand I agree with caroline that humans are beginning to treat their animals and pets more like people. I can agree that I am guilty of it. I don't call my two dogs my pets I call them my brothers, and we also dress them in little shirts and even jackets when it becomes cold out because I figure if I am cold so are they. I think it is easier for people to think of their pets as part of their family rather than just an accessory or a past time animal until it grows old and eventually passes away. People live with these animals, they experience life with it, and they love them usually more than they love people.
-Jill Willig