Thread: "Humanizing" Our Pets

In his Cat thread, Francisco asked if he was "humanizing" his cat. Of course what he meant was that he might have been assigning human emotions and/or thought processes to his cat. I personally try not to get to deep into what one of my pets may be "thinking" or "asking for". But it hard not jump to conclusions about what our pets are thinking. But some folks go way too far.

I had a boss who told me, "Brad, you'd like my cat. He thinks he's a dog." What kind of crap is that?

How many people have heard, "My dog thinks he's a person."? Of course your dog doesn't think he's a person. They are very good at being dogs.

I was in a pet shop admiring a toucan that was on an open perch. The manager of the shop said, "Don't get too close. He thinks your eyes are grapes." What? Why would she say something so specific about what a bird might have on its mind?

Now of course there are emotions felt by our four legged friends. They are clearly sensitive. But I am wondering how similar their thought processes may be. What do you people think? Do you think your pet loves you. I mean like you love it? Do you think your dog is showing affection when it "kisses" you? Does your cat rubbing against you mean it really digs you? Do you think your critters care about you or are you just the supplier of food and shelter?