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Pet ownership. Do you ever think about how arrogant it is of us to breed and enslave another species for our own personal enjoyment? We keep them locked up, behind fences, on leashes. We dictate what they eat, where they go, with whom they interact. We strip them from their mothers and siblings as infants to be raised as our own companion and servant. I make this observation as someone who has a dog (dachshund) and whose partner has two cats.

Jlangston70 7 Apr 13
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34 comments (26 - 34)

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I have thought about that, but, I also think that my cat and dog would not survive without me. the horses would do ok. They are gypsy cobs, so are easy keepers, can live on anything and stand extremes of weather. My other horse is a gypsy/fjord cross and is also very hardy. My cat would definitely not make it. She is a tiny, little cornish rex, and has very little hair, so would freeze to death in the cold weather. My dog is a Cane Corso, and might be ok for a while, but I don't know how she would do in a hard winter. I also feel like we have a symbiotic relationship. I give them the best food, the best vet care, love and adoration, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and they give me love, cuddles with my cat, protection of my home from my dog, and my horses let me ride them, and can pull carts or sleighs.

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Do these two look like enslaved animals? Not sure where you have reached such a conclusion.

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If you mean that it would have been better for humans to have left wild animals alone and never try to domesticate them, I agree.

These domesticated breeds couldn't survive in the wild, and feral dogs tend to form packs and attack livestock. We literally breed animals to be our companions, and the original wolf ancestors made their own decisions to trade freedom for free food.

Here in Thailand they have wild Thai Dingos that live amoung people are semi-tame, and fed by Thai people, but have no masters and breed and fight at will. I have my favorites, and they are excellent hunters.

Once they start seeing me around they tend to start following me at a short distance, pretending they're with me, and even drive game (wild birds) toward me to kill. I only take photos of the birds, but appreciate their help in flushing them from deep cover. I respect the dogs and never try to touch them.

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In our house we have cats. We dotn' enslave them, but they tned to try to enslave us.

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NO. Fences and leashes are for our pets well being, safety, both for them and others.
I own two purpose bred dogs, one a rescue, probably my last rescue, and a well bred one from a breeder of the highest ethic. I searched long and hard for him. He had plenty of time with his mother, we didn't pick him up until he was 14 weeks old.
Funny story I'll never forget. For the first time in my life I witnessed a family reuinion with his dam & siblings at a year old during a breed national convention. They all remembered each other. After a cordial Hello from Mom she was done with my boy, snarled as if to say "I remember you you little shit GTF away from me"... LOL

Dachshunds are purpose bred dogs, meant to be vermin control and companions.

My breed is one of the few created specifically to be a personal dog and protector.

And btw, even wild animals sometimes have companion animals of other species. There's nothing weird about it. I don't know what I'd do without mine. I love doting on them. They sleep with us. When they're doing well I'm happy.
Now is that to say that everyone who has one should own a pet? No. There are no shortage of people who shouldn't have so much as a pet rock. Furthermore I feel sorry for kids who aren't allowed to have pets and aren't taught good animal husbandry. There always seems to be something off about them. Case in point my MIL. She shouldn't be around anything living, period.

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My pomeranian wouldn't survive if I didn't tell him what to do. Anyone who owns cats knows they own you. I don't think of it as arrogance. It's a partnership

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In fact, the opposite is true. Humans didn’t domesticate dogs and cats. They domesticated themselves—and us.

[news.nationalgeographic.com]

[news.nationalgeographic.com]

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I evidently hoard/adopt cats ( 6 ). I also have 2 dogs (Husky and a hound.) They're family. My cats weren't stripped from anything, They were rescued from a crappy life in a cage at a no kill shelter. Now they all have a reliable food source, a safe house to call their own, acres to raom and rubs, pats, cuddles, toys, treats, etc., whenever they want. The hound dog was also a rescue. His future before I adopted him was a death sentence. He now has regular food, gets petted and played with every day, sleeps on a big ole bed, or anywhere else he wants. He's friends with all the cats... ok, there is that 'one," goes to Day Care once a week and plays with a dozen other dogs all day long. Has a kick @$$ Siberian Husky for a "sister" who plays with him all day long. Enslaved.... no way. At least, not them. I'm more of a slave to their whims at times. I love all my critters. They are my family.

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Dogs give unconditional love I think all pets do that
in a way they comand us around if you notice we pick up thier poop when they have done, we give them water so that they do not get thirsty and we give them food on time so they do get hungry and we take them for walks and thanks to them we make more friend in the park then if you go out for a walk on our own.

Rosh Level 7 Apr 13, 2018
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