A lot of people out here claiming they love their pets more than humans are really just avoiding real relationships because they can't handle the accountability that comes with them. amirite?

My cat definitely gives me disapproving looks.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

If dinner is 45 seconds late mine very loudly calls me out.

by Kuhiclouvenia 7 months ago

Yeah I have to sleep with mine and lay perfectly still.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

My kitten has very human eyes and she can make an irritated look better than most people I know. I also got her while in a relationship for my partner and I so...does this disprove OP's theory?

by Maleficent_Beat 7 months ago

My cats holler at me constantly. I also don't know why anyone thinks cats display forced loyalty; my younger cat has never listened to a single instruction in her life, and she steals food off my plate and has recently taken to trying to tear apart my wedding dress with her teeth. Humans are easier to communicate with!

by ExamComprehensive708 7 months ago

Yeah but it's not always the case that social relationships are hard because you don't hold yourself accountable or aren't introspective ect. For some people social relationships are just harder than for other people so you can see how someone who doesn't fit in for no fault of their own might prefer a pet

by Intelligent-Roll 7 months ago

Social relationships are also hard because that dance you do about cutting ties with people who refuse to hold themselves accountable to basic metrics of decency.

by Proof_Gur 7 months ago

Right. I choose just my dog because he isn't the one I caught trying to groom a 16 year old girl.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Maybe some people don't really fit in because they never learned how too

by Other_Foundation 7 months ago

Sure, lots of reasons why people don't fit in including unavoidable ones like physical deformities, it's possible to find people and connect anyway, but in a general day to day way they can struggle immensely and to have a pet not even know there's anything different could be hugely impactful to them. You can see how someone going through life feeling judged and watched all the time could come home to a wagging tail and deem that the best thing in the universe

by Intelligent-Roll 7 months ago

I said "some people".

by Other_Foundation 7 months ago

And I said sure?

by Intelligent-Roll 7 months ago

They probably meant that for some of those people it's not necessarily their fault if they never learned how to fit in.

by Aggravating_Quit 7 months ago

I actually kind of agree with this one. Not fully and for everyone, but as a generalization, I agree with it.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Easier to pet a cat than clean up your act

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Im hopping on this wagon because I think you're right! Forming and maintaining any form of relationship is work and some can form their own minibubble world. Friendships and the like cause friction at times, as they do.

by abbigailgreenho 7 months ago

Let's be real: dogs and cats can't call you out when you're wrong, won't hit you with inconvenient truths, and can't hold you to a higher standard Dat look in Rover's sad eyes when you haven't walked him this week.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I think you're right that this is sometimes the case, though I'd also add a few exceptions: People with social anxiety - especially if its source is in abuse, trauma and violence - often have other reasons to avoid human companionship. It's not that they don't want the responsibility or accountability that comes with getting close to someone. They often do want it. Instead, the problem is that - when they try to get close to someone - their chest feels tight, they start shaking, they start sweating, and they feel an overwhelming sense of fear wash over their body. A pet can be much easier in this regard. People with various kinds of neurodiversity are another case. Here you often have people do want to get close, and do want to accept the responsibility and accountability of doing so, but may not know how. A pet is much easier in this regard too.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Exactly, especially the first one. A dog or cat has never pushed a knife against my throat

by Anonymous 7 months ago

This!

by Anonymous 7 months ago

In my experience when people say this they mean in some situation where they have to choose between saving their pet or a stranger. Humans are naturally social creatures, the bond between human to human is strong but our social connections are stronger. Most people will choose to save anything they know better than a stranger

by Difficult_Rice 7 months ago

My dog? Yeah I'd choose him. Some random dog? No This applies to just situations of just humans also. My friend over a stranger? Yeah.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I see generic human superior to generic animal yes, but I also see my pet of of 10 years superior to human I've never met.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Sooooo we just save things because they're "genetically superior?" No. You take an animal, you're responsible for that animals happiness and health. You have no obligation to a human.

by Strange_Pickle 7 months ago

Little more complicated than that to me but that's close to it. It's about social bonds, not base stat numbers. Even an aquantince over a freind. Species isn't really a big part of it for the most part. Social animals I see as equals in almost all cases.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I just don't believe you actually see humans and dogs as equals. Just like when vegans compare like slaughterhouses to Bergen Belsan or whatever. Like if you genuinely believed that you'd never voluntarily interact with a meat eater again

by Anonymous 7 months ago

There's no way I'd save a stranger over my dog in this scenario

by Quinten89 7 months ago

Idk, if it was an unknown (to me) adult human, and no one would know what I picked, I genuinely think i would pick my dog. Kid is a different story though, as is factoring in the fact that if people learn about my choice I could be ostracized.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Agreed. I have seen some type that they'd save the pet before a neighbors kid, but I suspect when faced with reality very few would. Its actually kind of scary to think someone might. I love animals too, but as op said a lot of it is the simplicity of the relationship. As a society we all generally agree a human life has to come first, which is why we put down animals that are considered a danger, but don't do the same to humans. Also generally will grivee over a pet for a few days and still think of them from time to time, but their death won't potentially cause a divorce, require extensive counselling, etc.

by Hwuckert 7 months ago

"which is why we put down animals that are considered a danger, but don't do the same to humans" Death penalty exists in a lot of places lol.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Outside of the western world there are some, but it's usually more in extreme cases still. We don't give people the death penalty for simple injury to another (yet we do when a dog simply shows a pattern where they may hurt someone)

by Hwuckert 7 months ago

To be honest it wasn't always like this, many laws in countries to this day give death penalty for crimes like theft or adultery, and this probably would be the case if not the quite recent inventions of humanism and liberalism

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Fair enough, but the punishment for killing a human is far greater than an animal. It's clear human life is valued more in society

by Hwuckert 7 months ago

For murder and high crimes. Not for assault.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Now I'm imagining a situation where you have to explain to the neighbors why you saved your pet over their kid. Dang.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

If they're dead or unconscious, I don't have to explain anything to them, do I? Problem solved.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Though as a first responder it's typically a choice of saving a random human vs random pet, in which case they'll prioritize humans. It's highly unlikely for a first responder to find a person they know at the location, and even more unlikely to find their pet there, and humans they don't.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I appreciate your honesty. I'm also sorry that you lived a life where you could think you could honestly say in that situation that with a clear conscience.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

The lack of self-importance or an inordinate amount of value put into humans makes it easier.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I have no idea how I would actually react in that sort of situation. I don't want to see a child get hurt either. But I certainly have a much stronger emotional attachment to my dog than I do a stranger or their child.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Yep this is a real one

by bayerapril 7 months ago

Sure, relationships with people can take energy, but some people can be particularly exhausting because they think that "keeping it real" is a synonym for being tactless and condescending. I've worked with a lot of homeless people, and they're always preaching some "hard truth" to somebody. If you find that people consistently would rather hang out with their cat instead of you, the hard truth is that you just might be an asshole.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Maybe a relationship with a cat, dog, bird or whatever will never reach the potential depth of a solid human companionship but on the same token pets are at the very least emotionally stable and as long as you take care of them they will unconditionally love you until their dying day. With humans that guarantee simply does not exist. Animals don't change emotionally a whole lot through out there lives baring outside factors like abuse or developed mental illnesses such as dementia which cats and dogs can and do get as well. Even the most mentally/emotionally stable humans change as people constantly and because of that when you get close with people "particularly romantically" there is no guarantee that what worked 5 years ago is going to work today. I think this is why a lot of people reside to just loving their pets, for all intents and purposes it may be a somewhat shallower experience, but it's also a much safer bet at protecting your feelings, especially after you've been hurt.

by Express-Remove-2624 7 months ago

Sorry, I agree with you, that's why I responded to you. Just wanted to harp on that particular point, that the only kinds of relationships which fit that description are ones which aren't available to some people, by no fault of their own.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

No you're good, I get it. I've always loved my pets but after watching a 6 year romantic relationship that slowly crash and burn beyond my control, I have come out with an even greater appreciation for the stability and unconditional love my cats and dogs give me. I know my ex loves me, but she's just...figuring life out right now I guess which is where I get the idea of people being ever changing.

by Express-Remove-2624 7 months ago

I completely agree!!

by Starkgardner 7 months ago

Maybe you should take accountability over your clinginess instead assuming all people what to be among others all the time. Being an introvert is not a crime.

by Extension-Drag1322 7 months ago

Part of this is true. For sure. I'm not saying I value my pets more than my human relationships. I definitely value them more than most people I interact with but also there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes I don't need to be called out. Sometimes I need to cuddle my dog and that's ok too

by Anonymous 7 months ago

True. I think we should still be accountable to our pets. And cats are better with that, because they'll scratch you if you f around too much.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Pets love you unconditionally, they don't lie, they don't cheat and the only things they steal are your heart and maybe a milk bone here and there.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Exactly!! Pets are just so much better, they love you unconditionally.

by Starkgardner 7 months ago

have no ever stolen from me You must not have ever owned a Beagle. We had one whose favorite thing to do was steal food and/or booze, especially if it was a child's slice of pizza.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Somebody that doesn't like dogs. It's kind of like why would somebody want to be president? How can you like a person like that? It says a lot about their personality.

by hnicolas 7 months ago

Honestly, I feel like in my life, I've been treated badly a couple times because a human preferred an animal over me. I'm a kind person and I love animals too, but I'm a little concerned with what I've been seeing on social media about people comparing animals to humans or kids. If we treated animals as kindly as children, then the world would be better.

by mireya20 7 months ago

Facts. My girlfriend's grandma is so lonely and is begging for human connection, but literally treats her cat better than anyone outside of my girlfriend, including her own daughter and other grandkids. Everyone hates her basically, her marriage is a joke, and she blames everyone else for basically every issue in her life. But she'll tell you every day how she would murder someone for the cat.

by One_Bus8626 7 months ago

I love my wife more than my cats, but if giving the choice between save humanity or save animals; I choose animals.

by wzulauf 7 months ago

To be honest, I've never met a woman that was cuter than a bunny. I love human beings but it's a high bar to compete with something unbearably cute.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Pets are the perfect filter bubble and echo chamber. The disturbing part is when society values pets so much, that in certain cases, people get harsher sentences for maltreating animals than for child abuse or attempted physical or sexual assault.

by Bhauck 7 months ago

"Won't call you out when you're wrong"? Clearly, you've never seen the disappointed look on a dog's face when you forget her daily treat.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

So for me there's actually a lot of accountability that comes with having my dog - a lot more than has come from some of my human relationships. I adopted a rescue that has severe anxiety, fear, reactivity, the works, and we didn't know about any of his issues at the time. We learned so much about ourselves through that experience. All of a sudden, you're fully responsible for another living, breathing creature. You have to feed them, give them water, bathe them, teach them things, train them. That means creating a structured routine and sticking to it, but also learning everything about your pet. My friends and family have autonomy. They're not fully dependent on me for their survival. The knowledge that my boy literally couldn't survive without me is incredibly humbling, and it has made me a more responsible adult through the process of having him. It really holds a mirror up to you and shows you all of your own good and bad habits. Do I love him more? I don't know. But he's definitely made me grow up much faster and learn a lot more than my other relationships have. If that's the metric, yeah, I love him more. Plus, he's really fluffy.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Op didn't even specifically talk about kids but human social contacts in general

by Anonymous 7 months ago

true, I am not speaking as generally as OP, just giving my example

by Anonymous 7 months ago

As far as human relationships go, I refuse to compromise on my own standards and boundaries anymore. I've done so, way too much in the past. However, I know that is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I can be a good partner, but I won't put out the effort for the wrong person anymore, and I won't invest the time and effort for someone out there who may be impossible to find. I'm not bitter about it, just a realist. Good dogs are unbelievably easy to find. Good cats too. Much better source to invest my time and effort.

by JournalistMediocre48 7 months ago

Not every human, but I love my pets more than pretty much anyone I don't know and a good percentage of those I do know if you don't, please don't own pets. if my cat needs a £1000 vet bill, I'll pay it instantly. if some random person needs £1000, not my problem 🤷‍♂️

by kesslermavis 7 months ago

I wouldn't choose to save my pups over my partner or family, but I would likely choose them over a stranger. Hope that clears things up a bit.

by madgekautzer 7 months ago

This exactly for me. When my little puppy picked me out at around 8 months I promised I'd do anything I could to keep him safe and happy, even if he didn't understand it doesn't matter to me.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

The ones I find really creepy are the ones that treat and refer to their pets as children.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I love most pets over humans tbh, not just my own. I just like silly little creatures they make me so happy. They give serotonins and they're so soft and they have quirks you can giggle at. Sometimes, you don't want to be pushed to be better, sometimes, you just need a hug and some affection. Plus, animals won't try to pressure me into writing weird feet smut fanfiction when I CLEARLY said I don't want to. I don't like expectations, sure, I'm constantly worried about disappointing everyone I know. But tbh? That includes my pets. Though I'm not sure what I could do to disappoint my cat, the idea scares me.

by Middle_Solution_7417 7 months ago

My cats disagree about accountability in human/feline relations.

by Nschaden 7 months ago

In general i can understand this. Although i don't agree with it fully, i can see that a group of humans has this. But there can be more to the story no? The exceptions. Might be wrong to add that here as the moment you do everybody will claim to be the exception to avoid said accountability xD. Some people just really don't fit in with people.. then a pet is a life safer to not be alone.

by KaleidoscopeStrong10 7 months ago

Accountability is declining situations you don't want to be in or don't want to deal with. Avoidance is dodging bullets professionally

by Deckowbianka 7 months ago

Angela Martin enters the chat

by Anonymous 7 months ago

My parents hate me for being an atheist while my Bobby loves me because...I have no idea why he loves me. I'm not sure I even deserve it. A person or pet that unconditionally loves you deserves to be loved back unconditionally. It's the least we could do.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I gave my 2 dogs a lot of attention before kids. With kids I definitely don't spend the same amount of energy. Dogs are exponentially easier than kids. Raising kids gets hard around 2-3 lol training humans to be is waaaaayyy harder than training dogs to follow and obey.

by Important_Gene 7 months ago

No, they're picking the relationship that's easiest to start. Buying a puppy is WAY easier than finding someone to date, and provides 80% of the companionship.

by Careful-Midnight 7 months ago

If you're using that for someone who values their pets over all their human relationships then I would agree. I can tell you that I have definitely valued the lives of all my current and past pets more than certain humans. It definitely depends on the nature of the relationship. The animal has a daily, and hopefully positive, impact on your life.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

More like the people in my life hurt me and cause me to feel frustration and anger constantly

by noah82 7 months ago

I would definitely save my German shepherd over a stranger. Or any animal I might have. I am responsible for them. Not a stranger.

by Embarrassed-Nail-536 7 months ago

Sometimes a pet is all you got, I mean my dog has stayed with me through thick and thin, even when I was isolated for years and even my parents barely interacted with me. I don't think I'll ever have many relationships as deep and important as that in my life. Yes animals aren't us, but that doesn't devalue the relationship, and at least from personal experience I've had life changing relationships with animals a lot more than humans. I don't think one is inherently better than the other, they're just different.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Nah I was much more sad about my dog dying than most of my family members that did. We spent every day together for 15 years.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I agree with this too, but it doesn't mean the pet owner is bad. Some people have just 'had enough' and if they can't be there emotionally for another person, their choice of owning a pet vs. a relationship with someone else is actually the right move. Dysfunction breeds dysfunction, we don't need more of that.

by PastDimension2465 7 months ago

My cat calls me out when I'm wrong all the time. By biting me.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Or, they've been burned too many times in real relationships. My dog will never wake up one morning and leave with no real explanation.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Agree! It's a cop out.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

My pets have never decided that I don't excite them anymore. They don't judge me or expect me to be perfect. They're always happy to see me. They love me for who I am. I can't even hope to want that from another person.

by tcremin 7 months ago

I dunno man, growing up with ASS and the brutality that comes with it I just like animals more since they have never harmed me. I dont care much for beeing held accountable its more that ive seen how horrible the average person has treated me my whole life

by Anonymous 7 months ago

....why are some of you people so weird lol

by Fit-Effect4078 7 months ago

Love the armchair analysts. No, I have very fulfilling relationships. I will be married, several good friends. I LOVE my cats. My cats are the best thing I have. I simply just love them. They do their own thing, and when they want attention, they give it. They certainly have their own personalities. That's what I love. I have three cats and each one is different. I love animals more than humans. Simply because they are their own entities, with their own personalities. Simple as that.

by Strange_Pickle 7 months ago

Or maybe because they experienced a lot of crap and abuse from humans which they did not from the animals? But yeah, blame the person out of hand without even looking at the circumstances which might have led them to such behavior...

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Agreed. But it mostly just applies to dog owners. A cat will cut you and pee on your stuff.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Just STFU. Every pet owner I know has large families and lots of friends. In reality, you most likely have personal relationship issues.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Yeah, I want to get a cat after my divorce, but part of me thinks thinks it's a copout for unconditional love

by BookkeeperVisible 7 months ago

Either they can't handle the accountability or "The Drama" that comes with the whole process. Can't blame them honestly. I do agree that humanize their pets too much though.

by Apart-Condition-1019 7 months ago

Nah I just love my pets

by tremblaykristop 7 months ago

"Relationships? I'd rather have a prisoner."

by Anonymous 7 months ago

If you ignore any and all knowledge on dog behavior and psychology, sure

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I'm being hyperbolic in referring to a steep power dynamic between dog and owner. I mean, the fact that you "own" your dog really illustrates the point just as well.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Duh

by Key-Air 7 months ago

It depends imo I think it's normal to love and value your pet over a stranger. My dog may not have everything a real human relationship has, but my connection with my dog is still much deeper than that with my peers But now very close friends, SO, or family? That's where I'd say it's weird to put your pet over them. The relationship with those people should offer you far more than that with your pet, and I agree that if you value your relationship with your dog over your close friends, or you don't want close friends because you have your pet, you likely just don't want to be accountable for a real relationship.

by Sea_Tradition3905 7 months ago

I don't like most people and don't trust any human with the exception of maybe two, animals on the other hand are not human which makes them so much better.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

By that rhetoric so is a child

by Anonymous 7 months ago

That is a messed up way of looking at it.

by Starkgardner 7 months ago

Yeah, people who love their pets suspisciously a lil too much tend to be weirdos. We used to have a woman across the street who walked her cats around the estate on leads. We called her "Cat Lady" and, yes, she would knock on our door if one of her Cas was not in her home by 9pm. Truly was a nut job.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I also agree with this. I feel like people who are always like " yeah my relationship fell through but at least I have my cat" just screams you have no skills at being an actual good companion or lack the skills because you're right. Wanna be lazy? Quit your job? Get fat? Skip workouts? Your partner will say something. Your cat or dog however will not.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Where the hell did you build that straw man?

by Anonymous 7 months ago

haha u are right but i think its funny that two of the four things you listed dont even really affect your partner

by Anonymous 7 months ago

Yep I agree I've grown more and learned more about myself from difficult human interactions than I ever have in dealing with a pet. Growth is hard. In order to grow we have to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones and try things we never have before. This is scary and often times filled with fears but facing these things and overcoming them is how we grow. Pets can help us weather the storms of change but rarely do they help us grow as much as venturing into the unknown.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I think people value animals too highly in general. Your pets are not your children, they're pets. Love them, treat them well, give them the best life you can. That does not make animal life more valuable than human life (it's not)

by Fancy_Option_2953 7 months ago

Animal life may not be more valuable than human life, but MY animal's lives are more valuable to me than random strangers.

by Anonymous 7 months ago

And you're allowed to have that opinion! I will admit, part of my lack of understanding the love of pets is that I am VICIOUSLY allergic to cats and dogs. I associate them with itchiness, swelling, and Benadryl.

by Fancy_Option_2953 7 months ago

Totally agree!!

by Bernhard65 7 months ago

I laughed hard

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I personally think its more of a case of people who have been hurt so badly by people they cant open themselves up enough to try and trust people again and we are talking real hurt (for instance abuse or been neglected/ignored due to neurodivergence) here not the cant deal with criticism/accountability stuff

by Anonymous 7 months ago

I had a close friend tell me in full seriousness that if her dog and I were drowning in a river and she could save only one of us, she would save her dog. She then quickly clarified that it could be ANY of her friends, and to not take it personally 🙄. Yeah… I don't talk to that friend much anymore

by bellschowalter 7 months ago

For me, it's not just about preferring the company of pets or loving them more than humans, but also glorifying animals to a borderline weird extent. "Omg animals are pure and kind humans could never"??? You're a human yourself?? Also a lot of these people just hate children for some reason, often comparing them to their animals. Can't put it into words, but that just gives off some weird vibes

by Anonymous 7 months ago