From a serious topic of man's inhumanity to man, to a lighter, more agreeable and gratifying theme - Our Pets, and the immense value they have in our lives ?

At age seventy five, I can't really recall a time, our family has not had a pet in the household ? Always a dog. The current count consists of a; fantastic, really brilliant pure bred, golden Labrador. His only trouble being his age, 13 1/2 years, which is very elderly for the breed I'm reliably informed ?

Our other dog is a pure bred Kelpie, who is 5 years of age, and she's a she. Both get on marvellously well, with our Lab naturally asserting his position 'within the pack', but he does need to endure tremendous patience with our Kelpie, who can be a little too boisterous for him, on some occasions ? They even share their food in their respective bowls, which is truly amazing ?

They both provide us with so much joy, together with barrels of joyful happiness and laughter at their peculiarities and the nonsense they get up too ! Nevertheless, one day fairly soon I expect, we'll have to confront that awful realisation that our fantastic Labby leaving us I guess - given his advanced age and current level of health ? How we'll deal with that....I really don't know ? We'll simply enjoy every single minute we have available with him, and hope we don't lose him quite so soon ?

Inversely,the over importance of pets reflects the breakdown in human relationships and that is not necessarily a good thing.

Arjay, you are a killjoy!
Humans have had animals as pets for centuries, so your little theory is rubbish.

I have 2 King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, girls aged 3 and 6 .
They are surely the most spoilt dogs in the world :)
They even sleep in the same room as us.

My daughter has a 1 year old cat living with us now, who is a cheeky devil.
She runs the whole house, including the dogs.

O Sung Wu I do understand how you feel about your dogs.
We lost our Cavalier boy, at the age of 14 years, 2 years ago. I can still hear his footsteps tripping around our house sometimes, and I don't believe in ghosts!

Hi there ARJAY...

I was wondering if you have pets ? Or did you ever have pets at any time ? I'm not sure if I agree with your theory concerning the breakdown of human relationships' ? I believe most of our relationships can be effectively strengthened or 'value added' if you like, by having a pet within the household ! Still you have an opinion, maybe you're right, I don't know ?

Hi there SUSEONLINE...

They're beaut little dogs those King Charles Cavalier Spaniels ! I can only imagine the immense joy, happiness and the companionship they must add to your household. They're such happy little 'bow wows' and so affectionate, and despite how uptight you may feel coming home from work, to be greeted by those two, could put a smile on the face of the most mercurial and sullen of characters ? Whenever they're met at the door, by your two lovable pooches !

I honestly believe to lose a pet that's been an intrinsic part of the family for many years, is nearly as emotionally painful as losing a family member itself ! I will freely admit, I don't handle things all the well, I really don't. And you're right SUSE, their presence is felt about the house for years to come, after their parting. But we don't mind ! Thank you SUSEONLINE and ARJAY for your contributions.

SOL ,I'm stressing over importance. We have pet psychologists, pet clothes, pet walkers, pooch washers, pet schools of obedience and some even wanting to marry their pets etc. There has to be a balance and our humanity generally in my view has lost the plot.

Many years ago on my cousin's farm near Bourke,I was chastised for patting one of his working dogs. "Don't spoil him" We are losing a sense of reality and survival. This is not good.

In many people's lives their relationship with their pets are more important than their own family. Once human relationships are trashed, civilisation breaks down and all our pets will die. People are retreating to the easy option of an obedient pet,rather than confronting human relationships that really matter for our freedoms and survival.

Arjay, you need to lighten up.
The world is not really out to get you....honestly.

Maybe you need a pet to focus your attention on, rather than all these dreadful sinister theories you come up with?

Cheers,
Suse. : )