Sympathy for animals?

[Ciabhán]

So I'm not really the empathetic or sympathetic type. I've always been of the mindset that human beings, even in bad circumstances, have at least some control of their lives. I grew up poor and rough and don't have much sympathy for those in similar circumstances as I've always felt they could do something about it.

Recently my wife found a stray puppy hiding under our laundry drying vent on a cold night. I refused to let him in the house even temporarily, because we have young children and I didn't want to worry about worms or other diseases they might pick up. She talked me into letting him stay in our garage for a few days until we could find a way to place him.

The morning after this discovery as I was preparing to leave just after breakfast I found myself preparing an extra rasher of bacon to take to him. I felt sorry for this bloody puppy in a way I've rarely felt for another human being. As of now I've taken him to see a veterinarian and, having been cleared healthy, allowing him in the house. I feel bad for the poor bugger because in my mind he can't fend for himself and I almost feel that I owe him something for showing up on my property.

Anyone else have extra sympathy for 'dumb' animals? Am I just a soft touch for a furry little bugger?

[Corvis]

They're just animals, they can't help it if they found some shelter at your house. Besides, you'll know you have a companion in a dog if they look to you as their pack leader. In exchange for some extra bacon at least. And my cynicism keeps me from trusting humans overly much, animals are much simpler and it's refreshing.

[hellheaven1987]

Well, I respect animals, but not trust them. Sympathy?? No.

[Blau&Gruen]

I let pass this without comment.

[hellheaven1987]

Too bad Koko does not eat that kitten alive.

[Baron Thunder-ten-tronckh]

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons'

I think this recent article is appropriate to this thread.

Where do we draw the line where animals should be treated like people?

I have sympathy for many animals to the same degree as humans. Maybe not all, and I suppose it could be because some of them I can see the animal in pain or being hungry, but for small animals, insects, etc, you cannot easily observe them.

Yesterday, I was outside hosing the garden, and as it was a pretty hot day, I was just lying on the footpath to the clothes line (a hills hoist), and so the footpath naturally got wet from the garden hose, and you could hear all the squealing of the ants as they couldn't move and were crying out to their coworkers.

[The Dude]

I have sympathy for animals as animals. Pretending they are humans does them no justice and is actually bad for them.

Based on that sympathy there are few things I hate as much as animal suffering. Precisely because they are animals, they have no choice in the suffering inflicted on them. Humans are the ones who force it upon them.

[MAXlMUS]

animals are only good for being eaten
here's for all you animal lovers:

[Elfdude]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxytocin

Behold, the power of an instinct that not only forces us to bond with young (unfortunately mammals are so similar it's almost all mammalian young) but also compels us to protect and provide for, occasionally even to the point of self destruction. The hormones that deal with our social nature are amongst the strongest.

Basically with a healthy dose of this stuff usually triggered by something 'cute', 'cuddly' or 'heart warming' the average person is 80% more generous.

[Boyar Son]

If I had to eat an animal because I'm starving then I would kill it. But I wouldn't be unnecessarily cruel to an animal. Unless that animal had some disease with it.

[CamilleBonparte]

If I had to eat an animal because I'm starving then I would kill it. But I wouldn't be unnecessarily cruel to an animal. Unless that animal had some disease with it.

Err, wait what? If the animal is sick you would be unnecessarily cruel to it? Do you blame sick animals for their illnesses?

So yes, I do kid my offspring on about how the cuddly little lamb now on their plates was not that long ago prancing about some field

That's just messed up. Both of you, really.

[Marcus Publius]

I don't know about 'extra' sympathy,but yes I do feel some sympathy for animals.

[Akar]

So I'm not really the empathetic or sympathetic type. I've always been of the mindset that human beings, even in bad circumstances, have at least some control of their lives. I grew up poor and rough and don't have much sympathy for those in similar circumstances as I've always felt they could do something about it.

Recently my wife found a stray puppy hiding under our laundry drying vent on a cold night. I refused to let him in the house even temporarily, because we have young children and I didn't want to worry about worms or other diseases they might pick up. She talked me into letting him stay in our garage for a few days until we could find a way to place him.

The morning after this discovery as I was preparing to leave just after breakfast I found myself preparing an extra rasher of bacon to take to him. I felt sorry for this bloody puppy in a way I've rarely felt for another human being. As of now I've taken him to see a veterinarian and, having been cleared healthy, allowing him in the house. I feel bad for the poor bugger because in my mind he can't fend for himself and I almost feel that I owe him something for showing up on my property.

Anyone else have extra sympathy for 'dumb' animals? Am I just a soft touch for a furry little bugger?

Yeah, I somtimes feel that way too :p

[Khassaki]

If they want sympathy they shouldn't taste so good.

I don't care if an animal lives or dies, but there is absolutely no grounds to mistreating them, or for cruelty to them. I don't have pets, I don't see the point, but I get on well with most of the animals I meet. Animal testing is a hard one, I agree with the use of animals for testing, but that is not grounds to torture the animal with the experiment.

[LegionnaireX]

People tend to gravitate toward certain animals due to their positive qualities. For example, dogs are cute, friendly, and loyal. People also recognize their helplessness as animals living in a human world. Pets are viewed as pure and innocent, and to a high degree they are.

There are many people that I have come across in my life that I would enjoy inflicting pain on, but I've yet to come across such an animal. I think this has to do with the recognized corruptness and moral depravity in humans. Obviously the same qualities cannot be recognized in dogs and cats.

[Plant]

People tend to gravitate toward certain animals due to their positive qualities. For example, dogs are cute, friendly, and loyal. People also recognize their helplessness as animals living in a human world. Pets are viewed as pure and innocent, and to a high degree they are.

There are many people that I have come across in my life that I would enjoy inflicting pain on, but I've yet to come across such an animal. I think this has to do with the recognized corruptness and moral depravity in humans. Obviously the same qualities cannot be recognized in dogs and cats.

Have you ever met a cat? Never a more manipulative animal been seen. Moral depravity and decadence in abundance.

[Horsa]

Have you ever met a cat? Never a more manipulative animal been seen. Moral depravity and decadence in abundance.

Need I really say more then that?

[LegionnaireX]

Have you ever met a cat? Never a more manipulative animal been seen. Moral depravity and decadence in abundance.

Very true. But their manipulative attitude gives credit to my point. How can you possibly turn down a cat?

[Blau&Gruen]

How can you possibly turn down a cat?

You can for the cat's sake.

[Plant]

Very true. But their manipulative attitude gives credit to my point. How can you possibly turn down a cat?

More evidence of their insidious and manipulative capabilites. Forget the Bilderburg group, or the Heritage Foundation, cats are the real players behind everything.

I have sympathy for animals for the same reason I have sympathy for human beings: they're living beings with intelligence, emotions, and lives. Treating any of them inhumanely would be a dick move. And unlike most animals, we have the moral sense to not do something if we know that it's a dick thing to do.
But that's why they're so awesome. Cat and man, two of a kind.

Indeed, Cat and Mankind, they both exhibit creulty and compassion both. But who learnt from the other? No one can doubt that the cat is capable of innate cruelty for pleasure, just as humanity.