Hi, Rambi. Thanks a lot. I sure hope your cat returns safe and sound.
I don't especially disagree with anything you said. I do think, though, that we get on shaky ground whenever we talk about (and especially criticize) how people should "feel." Feelings are matters of emotion that none of us really have any control over. I have no doubt that there are people out there who love pets more than love children. Hey, that's how they feel. I would be far more grieving over the death of my dog than I would over many people that I know and like. That's how I feel, and there's not much I can do about it, unless to practice self-denial. On the other hand, I agree that it would be most insensitive to make a remark such as you mentioned, appearing to equate the death of one's dog to someone else's child. For my money, any remark that begins with, "I know how you feel ...," is insensitive, arrogant, and inappropriate.
In the same vein, I don't have any problem with people who are not particularly fond of animals. I just think they are missing a lot in life. But what do I know.
JC |
