My Broken Fiat
  • Blog
  • About / Contact Me
    • My 'Reversion'
    • Why "MyBrokenFiat?"
  • The Archive
  • Prayers
  • Blog
  • About / Contact Me
    • My 'Reversion'
    • Why "MyBrokenFiat?"
  • The Archive
  • Prayers

Cats Aren't Kids.  Dogs Aren't, Either.

6/10/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Seriously... all 3 of my cats think they're human.
Picture
All three of my cats think they're human.  Maybe it's because we've had them since they were itty-bitty kittens found clinging to life in a drain pipe.  Maybe it's because we've spoiled them absolutely rotten.  Maybe it's because they're cats and they simply think they own the place anyway.  Regardless, all three of my cats (Piper, Zoey and Lucy) see no issue with climbing into bed with us, attempting to sit next to us on a dining room chair as we eat as a family, or plant themselves firmly on the couch with us as we watch TV.  

Obviously I love my little furbabies.  I'm a die-hard animal lover who has fostered more than 70 of them since moving to Jersey in 2007.  I've spent sleepless nights nursing them back from the brink of death, I've cried over heartbreaking medical prognoses, and I even carried Zoey around in a sling - directly next to me or sitting on my work desk - for more than a month as her legs healed from a terrible accident. 

That all being said, I still do not place these three cuddle-balls into the same arena as Vincent or Myla.  I love my cats - to the point of stupid - but I don't place human dignity on their shoulders.  

Should a fire break out and I'm forced to save Vince or Lucy, I'm going to save Vince.  When someone asks me how many children I have, I don't list Vince, Myla and then my three cats. 

Yet the Pope's recent message to married couples about having children (and not pets) apparently ruffled more than a few feathers.  Even in the comments of the linked article, people who supposedly "loved" the Pope turned their nose up in disgust at this particular message.  

Go figure.

Given the amount of couples opting for pets vs. children these days, it's no surprise some would walk away from his remarks feeling called out.  

Now, before I continue, no one (I repeat - NO ONE) is calling out infertile couples, couples struggling with serious chromosomal issues, or even couples who are truly not called to be parents (and I do believe there is a very small population of people who are simply not meant to be parents).  

The pope is, however, calling out folks who are seeking to continue a life of self-centered irresponsibility.  

Adults don't make children; children make adults.  This is so incredibly true.  After all, nothing says "responsibility" like taking on the care of someone wholly dependent on you for everything (every moment, of every day).  

This sort of responsibility shapes a person and forces him/her to see the world from another's perspective.  It demands sacrifice.  It demands COMPLETE sacrifice.

In our culture, this level of self-sacrifice is avoided like the Plague.  Having a baby will ruin weekend plans for, like... ever, right?  And who wants to deal with sleepless nights, potty training and vomit in your hair?

Ayyyyy...

I know you guys have seen me write about this a billion times, so I'm going to try really hard not to beat the dead horse, but I'm just so incredibly sick of children being seen as roadblocks to happiness.

They're not.  They are happiness and love personified (in the truest sense of the word).  

No amount of pet-responsibility comes close to that which a human child presents.  I should know.  I've had more than my share of pets, and not one (not even Zoey) compares to a child.  That being said, not one of the 70+ animals that have come through my doors have helped me to grow as a person the way that Vincent has.  Not one has given me fulfillment in the way that Vincent has.  Not one animal has given me joy, happiness and love in the way that Vincent has.  And not one has deepened my relationship with God in the way that Vincent has.  

So no - for all those folks out there who want to run around claiming Fido is your child, just stop.  The only people who think its cute are those who, themselves, are terrified of taking on responsibility for future generations.
As you can see, I talk to my cats (I'll have full-on conversations with them), I love my cats, and I consider them "furbabies" because they have me wrapped around their adorable little paws, but again... they're no substitute for children.  Yet so many couples use them as the "next step" in their marriage... as if keeping a goldfish alive is somehow proving grounds for their ability (and desire) to parent.

It's just... ay.  

It's incredible to me that society has created this sort of mindset regarding children.  I really am baffled by it.  

I know not all people are as desirous of children as I am, but to substitute pets as a realistic replacement???

The pope is right on this.  Married couples who want to solidify their sacramental marriage would do best to allow their love to create a tangible symbol of that love - truly personified - that not only grows and changes with them through the years, but HELPS them grow, change and love more deeply than they ever thought possible.  

After all, that's what marriage is all about.  White dresses, cake, toasts and favors are temporary.  Creating a person (and with that person, a soul) is forever.  That child will FOREVER be a lasting testament to your love.  Forever.  

Fido, Sparky or Chuckles will never be able to claim that.
3 Comments
Nicole P
6/10/2014 06:02:20 pm

Thank you, thank you thank you! Ugh, I get so irritated when I see the nonsense of people referring to their pets as kids (especially pet food commercials targeted to "pet parents")! I'll admit that I don't have a close bond to pets as some people do, most likely because I never had any growing up. But the idea that taking care of a dog, cat, ferret, etc. is comparable to RAISING A HUMAN?? No.

Reply
Kathryn H.
6/11/2014 07:19:56 am

A little side joke here on the point that cats are not "kids." According to a bumper sticker, "Dogs think they are human. Cats think they are God." I'm sure as a veteran cat-caretaker, you have ample experience of that. ;-)

Reply
Gina
6/11/2014 10:08:38 am

Truth, ladies, on both counts.

I don't mind folks calling pets "babies" so long as they do it with the knowledge that their animals aren't *really* on the same level as an actual child.

Then again, Ilka mentioned on the FB page that some woman posted that her "baby" had died and it turns out it was a dog.

Yeeps. I can't even imagine giving someone a startle like that!

I remember when my German Shepherd, Sean, passed away, I likely wrote "my baby" or something like that, but I definitely posted a picture along with it so folks knew I wasn't talking about Vincent (whom I was 8.5 months pregnant with at the time).

That would be so scary!

And yeah, Kathryn, for the most parts, cats totally think they're divine entities. Ha ha. Piper is the queen in my pack. The others are simply there to be at her service. Us, too, I guess. Ha!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Top Rated Entries

    My Darkest Secret

    Do Animals Have Souls?

    10 Things a Parent of an SPD Kid Wants to Say

    Fun and Easy Lenten Crafts

    Tattoo Taboo

    Blessed Mother as Intercessor

    Loss of Life

    Women Priests II

    Animal Sacrifices

    Render Unto Caesar

    Veiling

    The Godparent Poem

    Broken Friendships

    Miscarriage Reflection

    NYT Anti-Catholic Ad

    Categories

    All
    180
    Abortion
    Adoption
    Adoration
    Adultery
    Agnosticism
    Angels
    Animals
    Annulment
    Apparitions
    Art
    Atheism
    Bahamas
    Baptism
    Blessed Mother
    Blessed-mother
    Blogging
    Books
    Boycott
    Breastfeeding
    Bullying
    Cafeteria Catholic
    Cafeteria Catholics
    Cats
    Ccd
    Celibacy
    Chaput
    Children
    Christmas
    Churches
    Confession
    Conscience
    Contests
    Contraception
    Cookies
    Corapi
    Crafts
    Creation
    Cross
    Defense Of Faith
    Depression
    Divine Mercy
    Divine Providence
    Divine-providence
    Divorce
    Dolan
    Donation
    Dreams
    Easter
    Education
    Eucharist
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Family
    Feasts
    Food
    Forgiveness
    Free Will
    Friendship
    Fun
    Gaza
    Guest Post
    Hat Tip
    Health Care
    Heaven
    Hebrew
    Hhs
    Holy Week
    Homeschooling
    Homily
    Homosexuality
    Illumination
    Incarnation
    Incorruptibles
    Indulgences
    Infertility
    Inspiration
    Intentions
    Intercession
    Intercessions
    Interview
    Islam
    Jewelry
    Kidney
    Komen
    Language
    Lawsuit
    Lbm
    Lent
    Lightbulb Moments
    Liturgy
    Mandate
    Marriage
    Martyrs
    Mass
    Media
    Medjugorje
    Mercy
    Mexico
    Miracles
    Miscarriage
    Moderation
    Moses
    Motherhood
    Music
    Myla
    Nuns
    Old Testament
    Parenting
    Parishes
    Pedophilia
    Pentecost
    Persecution
    Personal
    Philadelphia
    Philly
    Pilgrimage
    Planned Parenthood
    Poetry
    Politics
    Poll
    Pope
    Prayer
    Pregnancy
    Priests
    Prophecy
    Propoganda
    Purgatory
    Question Box
    Quick Takes
    Random
    Recipes
    Reflections
    Relics
    Religious Freedom
    Reviews
    Ridiculous
    Rosary
    Sacrament
    Sacrifice
    Saint
    Saints
    Scandal
    School
    Science
    Seed
    Sewing
    Sexuality
    Sin
    Social Issues
    Social Issues
    SPD
    Spiritual Dryness
    St Anthonybd986ec1d5
    Steubenville
    Suffering
    Tattoos
    Terrorism
    TLM
    Triduum
    Trinity
    Trust
    Twa
    Vatican
    Veiling
    Veils
    Vincent
    Visionaries
    Wedding
    Women Priests

    Pages I Stalk

    A Woman's Place
    Dymphna's Road
    Having Left the Altar
    Fr. Z @ WDTPRS
    Spirit Daily
    These Stone Walls
    St. Joseph's Vanguard
    Catholic Sistas
    Catholic Icing
    Liturgical Time
    Traditional Latin Mass
    Shameless Popery
    Life Victorious
    Catholic Dads
    S'aint Easy
    Truth, Beauty and Goodness
    The Way Out There
    Written by the Finger of 
       God
    Little Catholic Bubble
    So You're a Church Musician
    There and Back Again
    Make It - Love It
    St. Monica's Bridge
    Seeking Renewal 
    Picture

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    October 2005

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2023