Where should the line be drawn w/ pets?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Where should the line be drawn w/ pets?
16
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 5:03pm

I am in turmoil, somewhat at least.

A close relative of mine is angry with me and NOT talking to me because he says that I consider my cat to be more important that other people, including family. While I am hurt that he is mad at me, I cannot deny and WON'T deny that I think of my cat as a person, a family member, MY family! I do! I love her with all my heart!

The background is this: I live alone with my cat. I've never been married and this is the first time I've ever had a cat (she is two). I do love her. She is my constant companion, there for me, she listens, she has such a distinct, wonderful personality, and she loves me no matter what. Why wouldn't I love her? Isn't that the point of being a furmom?

I needed to get that off my chest. Thanks!

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi


CL of Living Single 30 and Up and co-CL of 30-Something Lounge

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi

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Avatar for cattaz2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 01-14-2005 - 9:37pm

I totally agree and feel the same way about my furbabes.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:00am

Update here...

It has been well over a week and my relative is still not talking to me. I think it is beyond the cat issue now. I'm very upset and confused and do not understand this. I keep trying to figure out what I did wrong and - aside from loving my furchild LIKE I SHOULD - I can't think of anything.

Anyway, just wanted to update. Thanks for all your support.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi


CL of Living Single 30 and Up and co-CL of 30-Something Lounge

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:53am

I'm not sure how close of a relative this is, like a brother or something, but I think you need to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with him and try to figure out what his problem is.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-18-2005 - 11:57am

Thank you... it is upsetting and confusing to me.

We are currently in negotiations via email. I hope to get to the bottom of it.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi


CL of Living Single 30 and Up and co-CL of 30-Something Lounge

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2004
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 10:30am
I hope you can find out what the problem is. This person is getting plenty of your time and energy. Maybe its just an attention thing. If you can't work it out soon, I'd just give the relative some space and move on, some people control others by similiar tactics like what you are going through. A person I knows husband (a control freak/jealous/self centered cry baby type of guy) controls her, made her give up her germ. shep dog and is still jealous of her cats. Any attention (even feeding) the cats, sets him off. They had to move into a rental home, she found one with a fenced in back yard for the dog and the owner said she could keep several cats inside, her husband decided on a home with no fence and the owner allowed her to keep one cat inside. She sneaks the second cat in and I took the third kitty from her. She at this point, can't decide what to cook for supper on her own, has to ask her hubby how to breathe practically. She is 25 and he is probally 37 or so. Your situation with the control/jealously or whatever sounds a bit like the above situation. Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-19-2005 - 11:04am

Thanks for your reply. Yes, it does seem controlling.

It has now morphed into something totally unrelated to my cat. He told me yesterday that he thinks I'm chronically unhappy, which is NOT the case. In fact, I was thinking the same about him. So, I have no idea what this is all about or where it will end up but for now, I AM going to back away and let things lie. I hope this works!

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi


CL of Living Single 30 and Up and co-CL of 30-Something Lounge

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." ~Gandhi

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