I felt like punching my sister in-law yesterday!

In class on Friday, somehow the discussion of animals passing away cam up, I can't even remember how. Anyway. She said that she wouldn't get a dog, because she would be too upset if it died. She then proceeded to say that is why she gets cats, because it doesn't matter if they die or not!
She then went on about how her Avon lady called her one day, crying because her cat she had for 16 years had just passed away. She then LAUGHED at her and told her it as JUST a cat! And then she said that dogs and cats are two totally different animals.

They may be DIFFERENT species, but they do not in any way require less care or love!

I asked her why she thought that cats and dogs were different.. trying my hardest to keep my cool. And she doesn't even know. She just said. "I don't know. They just are.'

It's a good thing I took Nacho and Orion from her when I did! Who knows what would have happened to them, living with her.

Some people ... I think I know what she means, though—even though I totally disagree; I hate to even think about losing my kitties.

The thing is, dogs require—demand—very frequent human contact. Cats, when ignored, will seem to become self-sufficient, though really all they are doing is responding in kind. I bet your sister ignored her cats for the most part. And because she didn't interact with them, she has no idea how rewarding the cat-person relationship can be.

WOW What a thing to say! Personally, I'm a big softie and love all animals. Does she say this sort of thing to hurt you? How did the rest of the class react?

My word I don't think I could have kept my cool if someone said that to me! Of course Cats and Dogs are completely different, but we love them equally for different reasons.
There is no point in trying to argue with her, she isn't going to get it. Does she have any cats? I feel sorry for the poor Avon lady, 16 years is a long time - she must have been devastated, and to be laughed at, just defies belief.

Geesh, how wrong of her to say that! I would of probly said something(I tend to do that,lol) I do think cats require less care than a dog, but they still are a living being~no matter what! And whether you have had them 6 mos or 20 yrs, losing one is a horrible thing! I hate it when ppl say that "its just an animal"

How can people say things like that?!

Originally Posted by Catfriend

WOW

What a thing to say! Personally, I'm a big softie and love all animals. Does she say this sort of thing to hurt you? How did the rest of the class react?

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I think she regretted saying it to me after she saw that it hurt me. So I don't think she intentionally said it to hurt me.. I think she was just stating her opinion.

The class wasn't really paying attention.. just 3 or 4 of us were talking during a break.. the other people were dog people and didn't really say anything.

Though I am a dog person just as much as a cat person. I think they should be treated equally. Vet care, love, and all.

Mayeb her cats didn't love her. But mine love me and I love them back. And I wouldn't give them away for the world.

Cats and dogs ARE different, but her saying they have more emotional value than cats is just wrong.

After being so insenitive she'd be getting naff christmas and birthday presents from me thats for sure!

It's awful but it's such a common attitude. People will move heaven and earth for their dog but can't even be bothered to take the cat with them when they move.

Every time I see someone come into the store where I work with their grocery store bag of Purina Cat Chow when they're picking up their bag of California Natural for their dog, I secretly hope their cat is the one who will be responsible for choosing their nursing home. Not gonna happen, of course, but one can wish.

Though I secretly like the cats more (don't tell the dogs!) all my animals deserve and get the same treatment.

I would have lost it on her. I know she is your sister in-law but, people like that make me sick.

THis is just wrong. I love all my kitties. And they love me too. Stinker is so cute. Sometimes when I am on the computer, she jumps up on the back of my chair, put her front paws on my shoulder and just leans her face against my cheek. I will reach back and give her a quick scratch or pet, and then she jumps down. It is sooooo cute!!

Originally Posted by Cyber Cat

I would have lost it on her. I know she is your sister in-law but, people like that make me sick.

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I would have too if I didn't have to see her everyday.

She isn't really my sister in law.. I just call her that because I don't know what to call her. She and my brother used to go out.. and then they got pregnant and had a baby. But they aren't together anymore.. but she lives in the apartment right next to ours now.. so =\\

The only reason she's even living here is because of her son, my nephew.