Why we have pets
Published November 10, 2003
"It is an incarnation of an ancient human practice of taking in wild animals. The big picture is that we are intimately bound to animals, and it is satisfying to take them in and tame them. Subconsciously, we are a mishmash. We don't know who we are, and so to simplify things, we predicate our individuality on animals. Humans attribute specific human qualities to different animals and then use their behavior to define and gain control of themselves and of the animal." - cultural geographer Yi-Fu Tuan of the University of Wisconsin.
Yi-Fu Tuan founded the field of human geography; he's been called "the most influential scholar you've never heard of." He writes of space and place, of pets and deserts, the history of ideas and identity, and whatever else falls across his field of view. I've read several of his books: his style is simple, his sentences clear, and yet he builds a sense in you that you are much smarter than you thought.
Harry Truman had a different take on pets than Yi-Fu Tuan: after a few months as President, he remarked, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."
- Why we have pets
- Published: November 10, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Culture
- Writer: bookofjoe
- bookofjoe's BC Writer page
- bookofjoe's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
I don't understand having some pets. Dogs, cats, maybe a mouse or gerbil that's cool and I'm down with that, but these people with snakes and gators in their apartment need serious counseling.
I think having pets is a soothing therapeutic practice that a lot of people need. It gives them an excuse to love something. They give people anecdotes and a lot of times I have noticed that over time the pets will begin to be a serious part of the owner's identity much like children. There isn't one simple reason why people have pets in our society. The number one reason that I see is the ability of a pet to help fill up the emotional part of our lives which can sometimes be difficult. They allow bonding between pet owners and pets and sometimes between two or more people who have pets collectively.
I wish I had the time, energy and space for a dog.
I think it's fascinating to think that we have developed a relationship with certain animals in which we have them accompany us through life not as a utensil of sorts - to do work - but simply to be with us. And we don't even expect them to do anything truly useful for us in most cases. What a relationship. I wish someone would make me their pet. I think I could handle the lifestyle my pets live.
I don't know how much I would enjoy shitting in the backyard or the sand-filled box. Other than that, I agree with you. Plus you could walk around sniffing butts and nobody would think anything strange of you. :-)
I knew a young woman who kept her pet ferret in her bra
Wait, you're not supposed to walk around and sniff butts?! So that's why everyone looks at me funny when I crawl up behind them. It all makes sense now.
I just thought you were doing a prehensile tail survey
Pets are good for kids because it lets them love a living creature who is not Mommy or Daddy. A child's love for Mommy and Daddy is unconditional, and based upon the child's dependence on them. A housepet is dependent on the master. If a child assumes the role of master, then he learns not only responsibility, but how to love a creature upon whom he has no dependence. It's much more giving.
OK, now I have to go sharpen up my chainsaw, right after I fix my transmission. Ahem....YEAH!
we just saw the Fairly Odd Parents episode with the hamster in the backyard "pet sematary" - that'll teach you to keep up on the pet maintenance.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/9998)
I think we have pets so we can be nice to things we could easily be mean to.