People who like animals too much like people too little

My late Auntie Terry, who lived in California, was quoting Confucius during my trip there many moons ago.Terry's friend René was mourning the death of a loved one and arrived over for coffee and tears every morning.All this was following on from my aunt having to drive behind the remains, as it made its way up to a picturesque cemetery on the side of a hill. There René borrowed money from Terry so she could pay to have a year's supply of fresh flowers kept on the grave of her dearly departed dog.It was then in a moment of pique that my aunt broke it to her long-time friend that; "Confucius say, people who like animals too much, like people too little".During our time in California I was flabbergasted at the extent to which people went to pamper their pets and I could see that in a lot of cases this was an attempt to compensate for failed human relationships. It would seem that the unconditional and simple love of an animal is sought in preference to taking any gamble on sharing love with another human being; or because of hurt caused through human failings in the past.Americans have led the field in pet pandering but like so much else, it wasn't long before we copied the trend on this side of the Atlantic. In fairness, we Irish are not the worst offenders, although I do notice a lot of ex-pats in Spain lavishing all their love on a variety of ugly creatures that only a mother could regard as beautiful.This column is an animal liker - as opposed to an animal lover. Indeed, we have done a column on "Man's best friend", which we know was appreciated by several readers - not to mention 681,322 dogs. I suppose if I'm pushed I would have to admit that I love an oul' dog, but as my Uncle Paddy would qualify with; "He's still only a hoor of a dog"!I grew up with animals, worked with them, made my living from them and would be concerned over animal welfare. To see animals abused or neglected would keep me awake. My pleasure is in watching a cock pheasant strutting his stuff, rather than plucking the feathers from it for the oven and this is why my lands are preserved as a wild life sanctuary.But I am still siding with Confucius: I have no problem about animals being humanely slaughtered for food or having experiments done on them to further medical science with regard to prevention or cures on human disease. The people who prefer to eat grain and greens rather than animal flesh, I respect; but I prefer to let the heifer eat the greens and grain and then I eat the heifer.Nature is generally crueller to animals than is man, so I have no view either way on hunting or fishing, but I would probably come down marginally against coursing. But can you believe that there are animal rights groups in the world today that will gladly kill a human whom they perceive as being cruel to an animal. Sound man, Confucius!Pet humanisation has now gone to absolute comical, unhealthy and ridiculous proportions. Most of this over-pampering obviously comes from people who can afford to indulge themselves and their pets - in whichever order. These well-off animal lovers have spurred a billion Euro industry in pet care. There are shops specialising in clothes for a poodle, cat or to dress up the new "must have" which is a pig.There are Christmas costumes, birthday hats and sun glasses for the four-legged darlings. In America they now have dog parks (where I presume the dogs have to clean up the poo after their humans!!) and there are hotels you can book your pet into for relaxation and even a spa especially for your dog to unwind in. At this stage if the animal doesn't appear to be happy, he needs counselling from a dog psychologist: and in the end, when even the best efforts of the highest priced veterinary hospital cannot any longer hold back the ravages of time for poor Rover ..sorry, I meant Ralphie; you can join a pet-loss bereavement group. Folks, I kid you not!I can understand old folks who finish up on their own really appreciating the company and companionship of a dog, cat, budgie, goldfish or whatever; but these are not the age group who have gone ape (no apology for pun!) on animals. Career couples are lavishing love on a dog or cat rather than taking on the responsibility of rearing a family. With smaller families, more time and money, the pet becomes the "it". Have you heard anyone call their dog "Baby" yet? Listen up and you shall; and when have you last come across a "Spot" or a "Fido"? No way, all domestic pets are now christened with human names.Men and women are marrying later and splitting up sooner, so a pet is the safest bet and the least complicated social support mechanism. Now you are unlikely to hear a couple "got" a new dog; they "adopted" one! In a UK local newspaper there were more classified ads looking for dog walker/sitters than for baby-sitters. I am sure that like everywhere else, there are children in that town who could do with a good meal.Most over-pampering of pets is towards dogs because they have more variables and showing them off in public is a big thing, unlike cats. Dogs and cats are domestic animals and most suited to having as pets. But there is yet another trend in the pet world and this is the craze to own an unusual or scarce bird, animal or reptile. This, what they call the "exotic trade", causes untold suffering to animals and is driving certain species to extinction. Six Billion American dollars is spent on illegal importing of exotic pets every year and the number of reptiles being brought into the EU is staggering. For most such creatures, death is the likely outcome.Go ahead and own a pet if you can. Pets have a soothing, therapeutic and beneficial affect for most people. Enjoy your parrot, cat or dog; but at the end of the day remember that he is still only "a hoor of a dog!"Don't ForgetCriticism from a friend is better than flattery from an enemy.