America's "obsession" with pets

[meow2u3]

http://theweek.com/article/index/237151/americas-pet-obsession
?157

Obsession with pets, they say. It's no obsession--pets are family, just like people, but on 4 legs instead of 2.

[meti57b]

1. Exactly ... pets are family.

Although, sometimes I think they are the "owners" and we just exist to serve their every little need.

[Curmudgeoness]

2. Just because we love our pets

doesn't really mean it is an "obsession". Talk about a headline that makes me feel like a freak!

I look at the numbers, and how there are more cats than dogs, and I have to wonder (as a cat owner)----why do all the pet stores dedicate so much more space to dogs, and why are most of the ad items on sale for dogs with a small section of the ad for cat products?????

[KC]

3. it's definitely

not an obsession! Not only are mine family but they really are my best friends too. They are better than people !

[cantbeserious]

4. ADOPTED A SHELTER CAT LAST SPRING

He has become my best buddy. He is a cross between a Maine Coon and domestic short hair. Has all of the Maine Coon traits. He is a gentle soul.

[ginnyinWI]

5. Thankyou for adopting a shelter cat!

There are so, so many of them. You pay a nominal fee v.s. getting a free cat from some place, but they usually come spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, tested for diseases like FIV, and many have had at least some of their shots. So it really saves money. And it makes a huge difference in one little life!

[get the red out]

6. I'm not even going to read that drivel

I would get too angry. We are just now, some of us, waking up and treating these beautiful, sentient friends properly; and we get pummeled off and on for it. I'm waiting for someone to complain about America's obsession with cars, phones, fashion, shoes, perfume, and unlimited other non-living drivel, but it appears that's going to be a LONE WAIT. You can spend what you want on that shit that gives little in return and it's considered good for the economy.

[union_maid]

7. No reference to the health benefits of pets?

Considering what they can do for us - and that's not even going into the amazing variety of trained assistance animals - it seems to me that the "obsession" is completely justified.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health_benefits.htm