animals vs. children.

[2eclipse]

question of the day.

some people claim to love their animals as much as they love their children. some people find this idea offensive - how can an animal mean as much as a child or be as worthy of love? on the other hand, when has human love had anything to do with worth?
what do you think?

Comments

[plsurkity.livejournal.com]

i think that it's likely i will be beaten over the internet by someone for saying this, but...

i think that the love one has for their child is a fierce love, but one more akin to the love one might have for some wonderful thing they have created. of course, as i have no children, this is just what i think. *shrugs* the love of a pet, however, is one that i believe is far greater. the love i have for my babies is one that in some cases was given at once, as with the trusting pug, but sometimes it's one that i've had to earn, and often at great time and personal cost. the trust built between my rats and i was a long road, and we're still getting there. this bonding is, to me, far greater than anything i might get with a child. sure, there are messes to clean and vet bills to pay, but the commitment, i believe, is a far greater one. a child will learn to speak and can speak for itself. an animal has only us to speak for them, though they talk to us every day. we are wholly resposable for the animal, where the child, at least in time, is expected to be responsable for itself.

i think that to love a pet is a love of constant giving, and getting that love in return. to love a child is a wonderful thing, but the giving does stop, and the child is expected to go forth into the world and do great things. the pet, however, holds little expectations in us, nor us in them, yet gives love so willingly. i far prefer the love on an animal to the love of a child, and i do firmly believe that they are our kids. we have five wonderful furry children, and i love them all as if they were indeed my own flesh.

[rumpleteazaer.livejournal.com]

I would have to disagree that the giving to a child stops. Maybe the physical giving of stuff eventually stops. If things go well, it means you give to them things that will be nice touches on an already good life. If they do not go well, you still do all you can to help them as long as they continue to strive to help themselves.

The emotional giving of support, advice, a safe haven to turn to and guidance on the path of life never stops.

The care and attention you have given to your animals are the same as the care and attention that goes into a life-long relationship with a child. You do not get love and trust from a child just because you gave birth to him or her. It is through the work you put into the cultivation of the relationship that determines whether it ends when their butts are out the door or continues to a special kind of friendship down the line.