Do you describe/treat your dog as a pet or a friend & why?

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   Ken R. Abellposted 14 years ago

   Do you describe/treat your dog as a pet or a friend & why?

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   L a d y f a c eposted 14 years ago

   Both I suppose. She is my pet. However, I'm close to her like a friend. I talk to her and review movies with her, and play with her, and she makes me smile. But I don't make my friends use the washroom outside...lol

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   Seeker7posted 14 years ago

   Hi Ken,
   
   A bit of both. When I have to take a step back from him, like when he is unwell or I need to do more training with him, he is a pet, as this ensures that I look at the situation objectively and do what is best for him not for me. But most of the time he is a friend, as all my dogs have been. When you are able to tune into animals and get someway to being on the same wavelength, it is not only soothing but renews my energies and spirit. My faith in this old world is kind of restored for a while.
   
   Seeker7

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4. 60

   sabrinaaqposted 14 years ago

   More of a friend because I love animals and spoil my dog to death, she has the best life a dog could have hahah

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   Toby Hansenposted 14 years ago

   My Rusty is pretty much a child to me. He evens answers back and sulks when he is told that he cannot have/do something.
   He is always here for me, knows when something is wrong, and does not put conditions on his love.

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   fiksy02posted 14 years ago

   My dog is a friend more like family because i love animals and dogs are just the best. they are very loving and loyal. they's stick to you come rain come shine

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   jasper420posted 14 years ago

   I treat my dog as a family member because thats what he is to me

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   Tammy Lposted 14 years ago

   Although I don't have a dog, I do have a cat.  He is more of a child to me than an animal.  He has been raised by my family since he was an infant (5 weeks old anyway).  I think more of my cat than I do most people I personally know.  He definitely has more sense.

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   onegoodwomanposted 14 years ago

   A pet should be your friend........
   worthy of care, respect, your offerings, your humility, your hospitality.......etc
   
   In the end, it is my dog who lets me cry without telling me to 'hush' or to 'quit crying'.  He never tells me to shut up, when I express rage or disappointment.
   
   At the end of the day.......he is still a dog.  He, as a domesticated animal, is dependant on me, not I on him.  I allow him all the protection and care that a dog should have, but he is not a person.

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    Missy05posted 14 years ago

    After 15 years with my pet, she is like my own child. Plus, I bottle fed her. She thinks I'm her mother too, so it all works out. I don't think it's bad for people to love their pets, they are creatures too and I really wish more people would adopt needy pets, there are so many needy, homeless creatures where I live.

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    mandyfposted 14 years ago

    Absolutly! We have lots of family around in this house and out in the barn. They are treat just like family! NOT PETS!

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    Rosemary Banksposted 14 years ago

    If I had a dog I would treat it as a pet and not a human. Too many people treat pets like or better than a human beings.  A pet and a human being are not on the same level. If I saw a  person and a dog drowning I'm going to save the person.

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    CarolineChicagoposted 14 years ago

    
    
    Our dog is one of the family. She's our furry 4th child. And at a 125 pounds, she certainly is a "large" part of our family!

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    Don Shipposted 14 years ago

    I love dogs and I think dogs love me too! Lol. I have four dogs and they make me smile every time, just by looking at them.

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    Mark Ewbieposted 14 years ago

    You have probably had enough answers already but.
    
    Before dog ownership I thought "yeah ok, they are probably a nice pet". After ownership, and it took a few months, we suddenly realised that the dogs are part of our family.  They are not 'pets'. 
    
    I could, and probably will one day, write a hub on how much a dog can mean, how perfect they are, how much they offer in a world that is mainly trying to rip you off and do you down.

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    Tigercrabposted 14 years ago

    Technically, she's not even my dog but my nephew's. 'Cos my sis-in-law won't allow dog in the apartment, she's staying with us.
    
    Anyway, back to the question. I love the dog and she's both a pet and a companion of sort.
    
    Dogs are smart. When you shower them with love, they'll reciprocate in some ways. Like our dog will happily welcome me home but not my brother, who doesn't really like her. She'll look to me for comfort when there are thunders or loud noises.
    
    Dogs are very direct and will show their feelings openly. Sometimes I can't help but feel that they're more human than some humans.

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