Exactly how many pet lovers are we really speaking about? According to the American Pet Owners Manufacturers Association, from a 2007 survey, two-thirds of American households (about 71.1 million) have at least one pet.
Don't worry, friends. There are pets in the Tesh household. There's Lucy our all-time favorite dog . . . once a stray and now a cherished member of the family and our beloved Coco, our feet-nipping bird.
Pets, especially cats and dogs are increasingly being considered an essential part of the family, with U.S. pet owners spending more time and money (estimated at $14 billlion in 2007) on the health and happiness of their pets in recent years.
Today the family consists of Mom and Dad, the kids and a dog and cat. Pets are now an essential part of our American home life . . full fledged family members. In many homes people keep photos of their spouse and children in their wallets along with their pets.
However, a different story emerges when pet owners want to bring their dogs to work or bring them into public places. A purse dog is one example. For those living outside Los Angeles, a purse dog defines a category of dogs so small that they fit into a purse-sized carrying case.
These purse dogs are very popular with celebrities. They carry around their toy size dogs such as a poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas. Since American culture often likes to imitate Hollywood, purse dogs are cropping up everywhere especially in the malls. It has become a sign of the wealthy.
If I allow my imagination to get the best of me, I have to assume that toy dogs have "toy bladders" and bladder control can only last for so long. You have got to wonder whether these toy dogs are using the toy purses as their bathrooms, which can soon become an irritant to other partygoers or shoppers.
Some stores, restaurants and bars prohibit dogs to accompany their owners inside. One establishment I entered this week displayed a sign saying "Service Animals Only." But the sign did nothing to stop people from bringing their dogs into the restaurant as they sat nearby while the owner dined.
Why are people caught up with their pets? One answer: companionship.
In a thoughtful article by radio talk host Dennis Prager, he admits humans and animals share a similar biology. Whether or not you believe God created this universe, humans and animals are similar in their physical natures. They are both made of flesh and bones and muscles, etc. However, humans are more like God when it comes to their spiritual and moral nature (at least they try to be).
If we observe a person eating food with his face in a bowl, we would not say, "he eats like a human," rather we would insult that person by saying he "eats like a pig". We recognize that humans are elevated above animals and should display better manners.
However, if an animal is face-first licking his food out of a bowl, we would think nothing of it.
If we are exactly like animals, would there be anything wrong if we paraded ourselves in public in the nude (save for nudist colonies and covers of certain Hollywood tabloid magazines)? Clothing provides a human a sense of dignity, says Dennis Prager. It elevates them above animals whose private parts are always uncovered.
In a positive sense we are not meant to act like animals or think of ourselves on the same level. As humans we have a greater desire for achievement than animals. Pets don't graduate college to go on to become doctors and lawyers or accountants nor do they demonstrate any desire to do so. Though we value our pets as "one of the family," we need to be careful to recognize our differences.
What do you think on what some are calling a "pet obsession"? Here's your chance to weigh in on this matter. I want to hear what pet and non-pet owners have to say.
Have we gone too far with our dogs and cats? Is your pet a full fledged member of your family? At the loss of a cat or dog, would you grieve the same way you would at the passing of your own mother?
John
Email John: johnsblog@teshmedia.com
You can read more about the impact of the culture on our personal lives in my new book, Intelligence For Your Life. The book can be purchased at your local bookstore or online at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
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