Why do people feel the loss of a pet is any less painful than other family?

i have lost many pets. i need a garden...

I am not sure why some people take the loss of a pet lightly, but there are some people like that, most in my opinions are not pet owners. I am sorry for the loss of your sister.

5 years ago I held our beloved Spooky (cat) as she was put out of her bad health and pain. I used a whole box of kleenex as I sobbed like a man whom lost his only child. We had her for 16 years and she was a part of the family not an animal really in our eyes. I am my fathers caregiver and he lives with us. If we did not have our beagle Buster I think dad would be lost. Buster has becomes dads best friend and he loves him dearly. Pets are great companions for the young and old alike I feel. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

So sorry to hear about your sister's pet Barbie. It is so sad. They really do become so much a part of our family. They are the one creature who will listen no matter what we say or how we say it. They never judge us. They will love us no matter what we do. Not too many humans will do the same for us. It's been a long time since I've had a pet, the loss of the last one really hit me hard. Like losing a child. We may get another sometime, hubby and I both love animals so much. To anyone who says "it's only an animal" well guess what? We are all "only animals"! Love doesn't care how many legs you walk on or if you have a tail or not or if you have scales, fur or feathers. Love is love, take all you can get while you can.

its just as hard you have that pet for years and it is a part of your family and when it is gone u miss it. I am very sorry for your loss.

We just put down our 18 year old cat about a month ago. We still have 2 cats. I still look around for my JoJo. I miss him terribly. He used to follow me around like a dog and used to talk to me like we were having a total conversation. He slept beside me every night. sniff

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister's pet - My heart goes out to hear any may I extend my my deepest sympathy to her. I too lost a dog I had for 11 years two months ago and I can relate to the pain she is going through. Sometime in the morning I get up, come downstairs and automatically openthe back door expecting him to meet me there to go outside. I come home from work and feel so alone. He always greeted me at the door with a great big wag of the tail and a lick on the face. He was so precious and I will always love him. Take care and extend my condolences to your sister. bajangal

Some people can be very insensative, yes, but the emotional pain when losing a pet is just as bad as the pain of losing a friend or family member. I guess only pet owners can really understand. We've always had dogs and cats in our lives and they have always been members of the family. Each time we lost one, it hurt. I am truly sorry for your sister's loss.

Hello Barbiere, You are so right about the pain in losing someone or of a pet. They are the only love that some people have, when they become like family. Or if you grew up with one all it's life-that really hurts. I lost my cat Gizmo, after 17 and 1/2 yrs. She was always there for us to come home to and always glad to see us. My kids grew up with her and loved her so much. When she came down with cancer of the gums, poor thing lost her teeth and was miserable. No matter what medicine or what the vet did for her, there was no hope. We had to put her to sleep. It broke my heart. To this day when I think of her I cry, and it's been over 5yrs. There are times I think I hear her around the house or feel her near me. But I know that she isn't really there. I now have a 112lb. Golden Retriever. Who just turned 3yrs old, and is the spoilt dog that I know of. If anything happens to him my husband and I will be devastated. He is so loving and good, funny and affectioned, we won't be able to take it, if anything happened to him.