I probably would for my cat but not for my dog - she's too old and fat.

That's up to you. I do accept that not everyone has as an emotional attachment as some to animals.

But, would you tell someone who had a baby die that you can just have another? Or if they had a friend die, then just find a new one? I doubt that you would.

And someone from the rescue services would probably have to risk his/her neck, saving you.


I wouldn't.

I'm a weak swimmer and actually quite scared of the sea so I doubt I would jump in after the dog, although I would be pretty hysterical if I saw it drowning.

It's hypothetical anyway as my dog isn't allowed off it's lead as it has no common sense

No, I just can't agree with that, not for me and my animals. Not saying everyone is (or should be) the same though.

Well it cheered me up on a cold January night

What an awful statement that is, If you think a pets life has the same worth as a humans,Then there is something sadly lacking in your life.

Rubbish!

A dog will adapt to its environment same as any other animal and displays no more loyalty than a cat, other than making stupid expressions and barking.

My cats always jump on the sofa and try and cuddle me. Stop stroking them and see what a reaction you get! No different to a dog in that respect.

Put a dog with a new family and after a few weeks/months it won't know the difference any more than a cat will.

Kittens and puppies have always been weened in the same way. Hot water bottle under a blanket in their box and a ticking clock was what my Mum taught us. The warmth from the hot water bottle and the ticking clock representing the heart beat of the mother.

My cats spend most of the day outside when I'm at work. When I come home there they are at the back door. I let them in and it's all purrs and rubbing all over my legs wanting me to feed them. No different to a dog bounding up and down, drooling and barking waiting to be fed.

Cats are natural hunters though and will forage for food if they are hungry, whereas dogs eat their own....

Well I'm not asking them to .I couldnt stand by and watch my dog drown or be swept away and i didnt lift a finger .How can people rationalise that .

A weak swimmer and actually quite scared of the sea?
What a strange dolphin you are

No, it's just the basis of one kind of attachment.

They'd have no choice.

It's their duty to go to the aid of anyone in difficulties, even if they got into those difficulties by their own recklessness/stupidity.

Do you not think you are being the slightest bit overdramatic?

My point was that because you can get another of something doesn't mean you can replace the original. I can't believe someone who has a cat can be so cold about it, tbh.

I think that is the issue. Not many people could stand by and watch their dog die without helping, sometimes rational thinking goes out the window. Especially if perhaps the child was upset.

I do not underestimate, or belittle any cat owners affection & bond to their pet.

That is not my intention. I do not doubt your love for your pet. I know it is love too. There is no other way to describe how we feel about our pets.

My dogs are my children, sad I know, so I'm sure my natural instinct would be to save them.

I would try and rescue my dog.

It's not 'sad' in the slightest.

It can appear rather tragic to non animal folk though

It's completely understandable why people do it.

To some people, their pets are members of the family. You may not see it this way with your own pets, but you can't tell someone else what the value of their pets is to them.

Well, sod them!

If my cat gets injured in anyway i take him to the vets, I feed him, stroke him, basically care for him in every way that a pet owner should, That's the emotional attachment i have with my cat.

Yes, it would be sad if he died, We've had 2 cats die in the last year, 1 was run over, 1 died of cancer Sad? yes definitely.
Am i being overdramatic? Not in the slightest.

You see, I hold a humans life way way above the life of a pet.

Now, no matter how much i care for that cat, if it came down to it drowning, and the possibility of me drowning too ( if i jumped in after it ).
Here's my choice , We lose the cat, My kids get to keep their father. If i jump in, my kids lose their father and the cat.

It's not really that much of a choice, The cat drowns everytime. I get to go home to my kids

Why? Because my kids mean more to me than a cat.

People who jump in rivers or the sea after their pets, Really need to stop and think, Is it really worth it? My answer is No, never

Am i being cold? Probably to some people like yourself, But i don't think i am

If it means having a cold heart and ensuring my two children dont see me coming to an early end then so be it.

I am a mother of 2, have 2 dogs and numerous other animals and although I would hate to see any of them suffer in any way, I would not risk my life for them and possibly leave my children motherless.

MY OH has said he would save the dogs from a raging fire and I have stated if he ever risked his life for the dogs (or other animal) I would never speak to him again (assuming he lived that is), yes it may make me cold, unfeeling etc etc but in all instances my children are my priority.

Well, thats good, for you.

And if it came down to saving a kid and saving a cat, the cat would win hands down. After all, the parents can always have another.

He did the right thing? So the poor daughter now has no Dad but not to worry, she still has a Jack Russell that will last all of 10 years.

I pity your family if you value your pets lives as much as theirs.