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To: Rambi who wrote (866)	7/16/2001 10:47:11 AM
From: J. C. Dithers	Respond to of 1857

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

To: Rambi who wrote (866)	7/17/2001 9:15:51 AM
From: Lady Lurksalot	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1857

To turn this around a bit, please allow me to relate the following: A few years back, I had to have both my "boys" put down within the short span of two months. (The younger literally grieved himself to death at the loss of his longtime pal, but that is not germane to the matter at hand.) At the time, many of my friends asked me if I was going to get another dog. My outward and unfailingly polite response was that it was too soon to think about getting "another dog." My inward and righteously angry response was that I didn't think they would be offhandedly asking such a question had I lost a husband or a child. Had I lost a husband or a child, would anyone deign to ask if I would be looking to secure another? A replacement? Can such be replaced? I think not. For the record, I think the dog-tosser is getting a walk in the spring rain and I entertain myself with thoughts of him being regarded, by his fellow inmates, in league with child-molesters or killers in the traditional prison pecking order. Best regards, Holly