Are pets better than partners?

Question

I was more upset when the dog died than when i split with my partner of 10 years.

Answer 1

I think that makes sense.  Things were finished with your partner and that part of your life was over.  You probably had closure there because you were done with the relationship.  

On the other hand, you weren't ready to say goodbye to your dog.  That wasn't your choice to have him/her die, where as you had some say in whether or not your relationship with your partner was over (just assuming).  Plus, dogs are the best and you never get in fights with them or have hard feelings towards them, so when you loose them it's super tought.  Been there, and it SUCKS!

Answer 2

I think that some people feel a stronger bond to their pets than to a partner; but I wouldn't assume this would always be the case....even for the situation you describe.

It could be that you were ready to separate from your partner; you made a choice. You may not have been ready to lose your pet; but you had no choice, and so it hurt more deeply.

Answer 3

No, partners are much more obedient.

Answer 4

At least a partner won't sh*t under the desk like my old cat does.

Answer 5

A good pet is better than a bad partner.

But a good partner is better than any pet.

Answer 6

Yes they dont ask you when you ll call them back.

Answer 7

The dog dying (I assume) was beyond your control. You may have wanted to the split from your partner. If a partner is less enjoyment than a pet, it's time to get a new partner.

Answer 8

i think you just hit a bump in the road. that's all.

Answer 9

But your partner didn't DIE... did they?

Still, dogs give unconditional love and only ask for food and attention in return. That's very hard to beat. Still, I need the s*x, and the social side of a relationship and a dog just wont cut it in that department.

Answer 10

It depends on what you get from pets vs partners.

Pets give back in love and adoration and loyalty 10x that which they receive. You got a lot more love and appreciation from your dog than I suspect from your partner.

A lot of people get more from their pets than their partners. I know of lots of people where the dog or cat gets more love than the couple give each other.

There is something to be said, however, for relationships where 2 people give each other enough love and appreciation for each other's needs. Such relationships are rare, but fulfilling. How do you really define or explain deep commitment and precious shared intimacy? I can't, even to my husband of 14 years. I can say that both people need o be equally concerned in giving to the other the love they need from each other. Hard to find, but when you find it, learn next time around how to hang on to the kind of precious love sung about in countless love songs that really does exist.

Answer 11

While pets are nice to have, and it is sad when a pet dies...I would still say that overall a human partner is definitely better.  

Sometimes I can't help but wonder if the real reason why some people prefer a one way animal companionship over a two way human relationship is because it's easier to control an animal than it is to have an equal relationship with another person whose ideas, thoughts, opinions, etc. may conflict with the other person.

Interacting with humans requires a lot more give and take, and yes, there are times when other people hurt our feelings and what not, but  IMO it's still far more rewarding than merely having an animal who really can't speak to you, or give you feedback. Sure the "love" an animal gives may seem unconditional, but that's really something that the owner interprets and not necessarily the case since animals cannot actually say "I love you" in the way that a person can.

Plus, let's face it, there are certain types of fulfilling and satisfying "communication" and demonstrations of love that can only be done with another human being *wink*

Answer 12

It varies from person to person. I will say this though: On the news if i hear

"Man passed away from heart attack while driving down the road" i'll be like aww that sucks....

"Tractor full of cattle overturned on the road and one of the cows died" It bothers me more so.

I love animals WAY more than i love humans. People are jerks, they only care about themselves. Animals have a lot to give. when i get home from a long ugly day at work, i have two dogs greeting me and excited to see me. Its a beautiful thing. Me and my husband feel the exact same way. We come before our animals since we are the ones who take care of them. I would be more devastated if something happened to my husband than my dogs, But i can see where you are coming from totally. I respect animals more than i do people.

Answer 13

A pet is just safer than a person.  When you love another human being, you risk more but you gain more as well.  If you were more upset when the dog died than when you split with your partner of 10 years, then obviously you'd mentally left that relationship far before you physically left it.

Answer 14

No, you must not of had a good relationship.

Answer 15

Dogs are the nicest people.

Answer 16

I'm pretty sure you can't treat them the same; because it's illegal...

Otherwise: no, they are not better, overall. There is the chance of greater connection to a human that to an animal, though (we like to "see" human expression and personify our pets, that is normal. Objectively though, they are not on the same level and cannot give the same understanding or emotional response as a human can, and by objective I mean as shown by about fifty years of comparative psychological studies).

But overall doesn't really matter, it comes down to individual choices. If given the choice "either the dog goes, or I do" (or cat, or rabbit, or python... whatever) - then it depends which you feel more attachment to. Not on the overall opinion.

Answer 17

Better in the respect that they love you unconditionally and never stop loving you no matter what, but a human partner is better company someone you can talk to and be emotionally supported by. I prefer both!

Answer 18

No. A partner is much better than a pet.