Is it weird when pet owners refer to themselves as parents?

[jhu]

You are, more or less, the dog's dad...you SHOULD be the alpha male in the house...and since you've presumably raised the dog from a pup...and are responsible for his housing, care, and feeding, that makes you the dad.

Personally, I don't consider myself to be the "dad" of our dogs...I had NO part in their conception. (no one saw a thing...you can't prove ANYTHING!) BUT, I am still the male parental unit...sort of.

My cat, however, I raised her from a pup. She was about 2 days old when we got her. Her biological mom was a feral cat who was killed by a car. Our daughter brought this little gray mouse-looking creature into the house...where, of course, my wife said, "We are keeping this tiny little thing and will TRY to keep her alive."
I ended up being the only one who actually cared for the kitten...bottle fed her, bathed her, etc...so I am the only "mom" she's ever known...and that's how she acts...like I am her mom. She follows me everywhere...sleeps so that she can either see me, or (preferably) have at least one paw touching me. She turned 17 people years old last Labor Day.

Clearest example of over parenting. You coddle your cat, so it expects to be coddled. Our cat already has a flat in Manhatten, a Porsche, and a 6-figure income on Wallstreet. And she's only 4 years old.

 

[Leros]

When they call you a dad, snarl at them, and tell them you're the alpha dog.

 

[Capt Caveman]

fwiw - when you go to the vet, your pet's file name is 'Pets Name, Your Last Name'. ie. Fido Johnson

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Not really weird .... but a little sad.

How is it sad? Sure, they won't be around to take care of your pathetic ass when you get old, but they likely won't die from huffing paint cans, get kicked out of school for being a failure, and in most cases won't get knocked up or wind up in jail.

I bet if you add the pros and cons the pets may actually come out on top, be less expensive, etc.

 

[Ichinisan]

My sister constantly refers to herself as her dog's "momma." She sometimes refers to me as the uncle.

With women, it's accepted with women. Guys don't usually think of it the same way women do.

 

[IronWing]

fwiw - when you go to the vet, your pet's file name is 'Pets Name, Your Last Name'. ie. Fido Johnson

On Rx bottles as well. Our cat has been instructed to not operate heavy machinery.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

It is childish. It is like being the dad or mom of a doll. Real parents (most) don't get to lock their children up, or put them in a kennel when they are being loud, lock them outside, leave them with a stranger for a week.

Most times I see people do this is when they have no kids. I have noticed that the people who do this are generally lonely women.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

How is it sad? Sure, they won't be around to take care of your pathetic ass when you get old, but they likely won't die from huffing paint cans, get kicked out of school for being a failure, and in most cases won't get knocked up or wind up in jail.

I bet if you add the pros and cons the pets may actually come out on top, be less expensive, etc.

It's sad because it is an animal. It has two stages in life really, puppy and dog. The animal will never tell you a joke, ask for advice, have a conversation with you, get a girlfriend, graduate with honors, make you truly proud. It won't get married or graduate college or reach other major life milestones.

When it has puppies (grandkids to these people) they are usually sold or given away.

I vote it is fucking pathetic.

 

[IronWing]

It's sad because it is an animal. It has two stages in life really, puppy and dog. The animal will never tell you a joke, ask for advice, have a conversation with you, get a girlfriend, graduate with honors, make you truly proud. It won't get married or graduate college or reach other major life milestones.

When it has puppies (grandkids to these people) they are usually sold or given away.

I vote it is fucking pathetic.

Needing to breed as a form of self-affirmation strikes me as far more pathetic, er, literally fucking pathetic, to use your term.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think people who assign names and genders to their cars are far weirder.

I'm going to have to agree with you on this.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Needing to breed as a form of self-affirmation strikes me as far more pathetic, er, literally fucking pathetic, to use your term.

I completely agree, if that were to happen. Did it occur to you that sometimes people simply want children (I know I enjoy mine) or that sometimes people have children on accident and decide to keep them? I've never met anyone who said they had kids because they needed to feel validation. Granted, having kids isn't for everyone, and this thread isn't really about that. This thread is about those assholes who claim they are some dog's parent but then give away their grandkids and bury their child in the backyard when they let it run loose and it gets hit by a car. Then they go buy a new one.

 

[z1ggy]

I'd refer to myself as an owner.. not a parent. I treat them like they were a kid of mine, but it's odd to think of them as a child. You're a human, they are an animal..You are above them.

I think it's odd too when I bring my dog to the vet they call her by her first name and sometimes use my last name with it.

 

[Ns1]

guilty as charged

 

[Leyawiin]

It is weird and a somewhat recent development as more and more people use dogs as child substitutes. The whole "pet parent" thing is kind of pathetic. You're not their mommy or daddy, you're their owner (since they are animals, not people).

 

[DougK62]

I own my dog and he is also my friend. Calling me a "dad" for having an animal is really weird.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Pets are for compansionship - not expressing paternal needs/wants.

I'm looking to get a dog (Weimaraner) and I would not treat it like a baby. No sleeping in my bed. No people food. Etc.

 

[KidNiki1]

No people food. Etc.

no people junk food.

fruits and veggies are good for dogs (just make sure they can eat them, like grapes are a no no). my dog loves bananas, apples, broccoli, carrots, peas. i also sometimes will give her boiled chicken breast or a bite or two of steak, and she super loves peanut butter. i DO NOT feed her from or at the table tho.