Are pets family?

Bebi · Are pets family?

I was just wondering how others see their pets.

For us our pets are an extension of our family, they're just like children to us. It devastated us when little Davith died, we still miss him badly. Yes, we talk to them too. Our eldest (Cuddles) will be 11 early next year and I swear he understands most of what we say to him. It doesn't matter what tone of voice we use it really does appear it's the actual words we use that he reacts to. Margaret and Moses "talk" back to us. Margaret will often enter a room, walk up to someone, and let off a whole stream of cat language as if he's telling them something. Moses also does this and will miaw at someone until they "reply" to him.

All three have totally different personalities. Cuddles is a typical "grumpy old man" and sits by the fire all day, Margaret likes to be out and about but when he's in he likes to cuddle up to someone. Moses enjoys going out, and likes to sit in the window or on the computer desk most of the time. Both Cuddles and Moses do like a fuss, but they seem to prefer to sleep undisturbed while Margaret will lie on the sofa right behind someone's head. Moses is quite aggressive and likes starting stand-offs with Margaret, Margaret prefers to stay out of trouble unless provoked, and Cuddles will only step in if he feels Margaret needs help. I've seen him do this when Margaret is attacked by a strange cat outside, but when Margaret and Moses are grumbling at each other he'll just watch unless he feels Margaret is on the losing hand. Cuddles isn't afraid of a fight though, but he too only fights if provoked. Unless it's a dog that is - Cuddles hates dogs and will often be the aggressor. I've seen him see off a german shepherd more than once, the most recent being not long ago. The dog came up growling at Margaret and Cuddles put himself in between them, splayed himself out and growled. The dog ran off immediately, I can only assume he'd met Cuddles before LOL he's not afraid to use his claws. I used to have a border collie cross, and she was scared sh*tless of him, she refused to stay in the same room as him. All he had to do was look at her and she'd ask to be let out of the room.