What you never heard of growing your own coat?
“C’mere, kitties, it’s lunchtime–eat up!”
I can think of a good reason not to AVOID having pets: health.
The European church of almost a millennium ago disliked cats, as a holdover of the Jewish faith’s desire to purge their culture of all things Egyptian. Cats were cast as evil , harbingers of bad fortune (black cats crossing your path), and the familiars of witches and the devil. They were routinely put to death.
So when the rats carrying Black Plague arrived, there was not a sufficient supply of natural enemies to contain them, and we lost a huge percentage of the population of Europe.
The base level reason for having dogs and cats in our lives have been the same for thousands of years:
Dogs: will defend us in exchange for food, and will even help obtain food for us. Yes, there are more sophisticated means of defense nowadays, but if you were a burglar, what is the greastest deterrent:
- A (most-likely-bypassable) home security system that may increase the likelihood that you will be caught and maybe prosecuted before you can get away
- A known gun in the home, which means you just come back when no one is home to use it
- An authority with which you can not reason that will put a sharp set of teeth in your ass or die trying?
Cats: will destroy the vermin that destroy our food. A good mouser is worth its weight in gold if you have that problem.
Now, these animals have been with us for thousands of years, giving us time to develop other reasons for wanting them around, to the point that many specific animals are kept for reasons other than those mentioned above. I myself find something wonderful in interacting with the cat personality that I have not found in over three decades of otherwise more than satisfying human contact. I also have developed a deep bond with my wife’s Lhasa-Terrier. As for our cockatiel (and any other pet that does not fall under utilitarian categories), I think we get the satisfaction of nurturing something, bringing exotic beauty into our home, and understanding the tiniest morsel of how nature works outside the familiar.
However, the societal benefit of having a well-maintained (and here we are severely lacking) group of dogs and cats around has not changed. In addition to that, it has been found that interacting with cats and dogs has an inherent health benefit, in terms of stress reduction and mental acuity. We have developed alongside them for so many millennia now, we are the poorer for not including them in our lives.
escapol, you seem to be a little wound up over nothing. Get yourself a cat dancer toy, find a local feline, and answer your OP question for yourself.
I’ve never felt that way over my pets. In fact, most cat owners I know tend to feel that the cat owns them, not the other way around. 
I see from the “slavery” jab, though, you’re probably more interested in discussing animal rights. Or do you just have a problem wondering why anyone could ever enjoy anything?
This thread lacks any focus. People like pets because they’re nice, loving, protecting, working, non-working, decorative… whatever. For whatever your interest, there is probably a pet suited to you. Dogs and cats have been with people for centuries. It’s like asking what we get out of wearing clothes or growing hair. It is a part of us as a species.
I adopted my two kittens from a shelter two months ago. Amen to the poster who said that being feral isn’t necessarily good for cats. This is a modern world not built to accomodate small animals, even ones with natural defenses. Teeth and claws don’t defend you against cars, kids that throw things at you, etc.
And anyone who’s been to an animal shelter will tell you that even the best-kept ones are terribly pathetic - those rows and rows of little cats and dogs, even if they’re being fed and taken care of, are heartbreaking. Cats reached their paws out to us and cried out, begging to be petted and held, and when we put them back in the cage after petting they would cry out again and watch us leave with sad, confused faces.
My kittens are both orphans who bonded to each other in the shelter. One of them misses her mom so much that she sucks on the end of her tail and pretends she’s nursing. The other one sucks on the side of her bed. Without shelters and people willing to adopt, these abandoned babies would be left alone to starve, freeze, or be hit by cars. They’re ecstatic to be in my house. They have room to run and play, they’re safe and undisturbed, and now they only suck on things when they’re happy - usually in my lap.
Adopting animals is a work of mercy toward living things which might otherwise die in the world we’ve created. Did I do this to feel good about myself for “saving” these cats? No, I brought them home because I felt bad for all those tiny, sad faces at the shelter. Animals crave companionship and comfort as much as we do. And I like living with the cats because I love them. I don’t feel powerful (no one who has ever been awakened by a cat standing on his or her face demanding food is likely to feel powerful, unless he’s particularly cruel) and I get plenty of human companionship from my boyfriend and my friends. I enjoy the companionship of my kittens for its own sake, because they’re lovable girls. Humans enjoy the companionship of other humans for the same reasons, unless they have a difficult time with the concept that love is rewarding even when you don’t get anything out of it.
I think, perhaps, if you have to ask… you may never understand.
People like companionship. If someone has two friends, you may as well ask “What? You can’t get enough companionship from just one? you need to get two?”. That argument sounds silly, but it’s almost exactly the one you’re making.
Also, there are different types of companionship. A girlfriend is not the same as a coworker is not the same as a family member is not the same as a pet. You personally may not want the kind of companionship pets have, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit to others.
third, psychologically it’s pretty tough to explain alot of humanity’s oddities. some people like brussels sprouts, others hate em. some people like tall blond women, others like short blackhaired ones. asking why is like asking why we percieve the color green the way we do.
I suppose the wrong tact here would be to point out that this isn’t exactly a new relationship? That in fact humans almost have a symbiotic relationship with certain animals, and that this has been the case for thousands of years? That not only have the animals adapted to living with humans, humans have adapted to living with animals as well, mostly socially? That the relationship is obviously mutually benificial AND successful…as it has, in fact lasted for thousands of years?
Why do people have pets? Because we always have had them (well, ‘always’ is probably not true…say for, what, 10’s of thousands of years in some cases?), we are adapted to having them, and they fill a very useful niche in our lives…a whole if you would. Even if you don’t have a pet, you have the ‘hooks’ for one bred into you through countless generations…unless you are, frankly, disfunctional. The relationship is mutual, not one sided as you are trying to make it. Ever heard stories of pets dieing when their human companion dies? Ever heard stories of pets sacrificing their lives for their human friends? Why do you suppose they do this?
Personally, I don’t have any pets. My wife and 2 of my children are allergic to pet dander unfortunately, and so we can’t have any. THough allergic, my wife loves pets…she just can’t stand to be in a house with one for very long before she has a reaction. I’m basically a dog person myself…I love dogs, especially the ‘working’ class dogs. Labs and Goldens are my favorite. I sorely miss having one sometimes…though I’d miss my wife and kids more. 
If you don’t get it, you don’t get it, though. Thats fine. The question is one that can’t be simply answered. Its like asking “Why do you like pizza?” Or “Whats the purpose of computer games?” Whats the purpose of pets? The purpose of pets is in the eyes of the person who owns one. Myself, I think, as I said before, the ‘purpose’ of pets is that they fill a need in humans that goes back thousands of years and has its roots in our emergence as THE dominant species on the planet. Like a lot of other things (say, marrage for example), the REASONS for it might not be the same as they once were, or even valid any longer (in a survival sense), but the baggage is still with us…and probably always will be.
-XT
That would be a ‘hole’, not a ‘whole’. Got to remember to preview. 
I’m currently reading a book that one of the subplots is genetically modified and enhanced dogs with near human intellegence, who can communicate with their human friends. This is a subject thats always facinated me. I think mankind longs for a partner/companion to share our existance with us…and thats why this particular theme has always facinated us (i.e. a benign animal/alien with near or even super human intellegence to share our lives and experiences with, to talk to and listen too who could actually talk and listen back, but who look at the world from a radically different perspective).
-XT
Why do I like pets?
Because they’re cute. I’m selfish, I enjoy having things that make me happy. Cute things make me happy.
You know, I believe it’s been found that people who have pets also tend to be healthier-have lower blood pressure and are more relaxed and less stressed.
Isn’t there also pet therapy?
Besides, dogs can be useful-seeing eye dogs, hello?
In defence of the OP (seeing as how no one else will support him and an argument needs 2 opposing views), I think that some dog owners strike me as vaguely fascist. The way they needlessly order their dog around eg the dog may be harmlessly sniffing at a tree or something and they shout at it:
OI COME 'ERE
As if they like to have total control over it at all times. I’m not saying they are actually cruel or that they don’t love the dog (in their own peculiar way) just that they seem to be overly authoritarian towards it.
This makes me wonder about their motives for having a dog in the first place. I think you should respect a dog as another lifeform and give it some freedom to do it’s own thing. You shouldn’t let it be out of control but you shouldn’t be ordering it about every two minutes when it’s doing nothing wrong.
This, to me, says more about the owner than the dog.
The relationships between people and animals goes back almost as far as we people do. For responsible, reasonable people, we consider our “stewardship” so to speak, a very important responsibility.
I have to laugh though at your assumption that to own an animal means you have control over it. I have a feeling that with folks like you, the special relationship between a person and their beloved pet can’t be explained, but as far as ME having control over my Pets?? (snort!!!).
My aussie would fall off the couch laughing at that one. I am one well-trained human, I respond promptly to dog cues of all sorts, I’m not fluent in canine, but I understand enough to get by. I was put here on this earth for one purpose, and that was to be the subject of her Highness.
However, I have no doubt she’d be able to fend quite nicely for herself in the wild.
Oh, I forgot to answer your question. It’s quite simple really. Love. Does that mean that we’re some sort of freakazoid human that can’t get love in the “normal” (that is, from other humans) way?
IMHO? No, but I’m joined by millions of my fellow Americans in this opinion, so I’ve got lots of other humans from whom to choose and love, so no, that’ not it.
Personally, I’m as perplexed by people who “don’t get” pets, as you and your kind appear to be by petlovers.
Or it could be that it’s cold, the owner wants to watch the game, and that’s the 70th tree the dog has sniffed. I mean, I don’t check out all the urinals before I do my business.
No. It’s a different sort of companionship. As with many other things in life, variety is the spice therein (sorry for the slightly skewed grammar).
Finding enjoyment in the companionship in an animal no more means that you then can’t relate to humans than being a genious in say, math, means that you then can’t comprehend languages, or human psychology.
It’s not an “either/or” situation.
The fact that my post has been met with such fierce outrage says something. And I’ve yet to see a satisfactory answer to the question, “What makes a human wake up and say, ‘I want to have an animal running around my house so I feel warm and fuzzy inside’?”
I’m not saying having pets should be illegal or anything like it. I just really don’t get it. And the, “But my dog loves me!” arguement doesn’t make sense.
That my questions provoke such outrageous reactions from some of you pet owners makes me think you have a bit of guilt in the back of your mind about it. You’ll deny it, but from a disinterested third party, it’s obvious.
It must really suck to not be able to understand the most simple and basic emotions that people feel for their pets or even, apparently, possess the ability to express those emotions.
I pity you. Seriously. Perhaps a therapist can help you with your dysfunction.
You’ve BEEN answered…repeatedly. The fact you don’t get it is…well, your problem. Its like me asking how quantum mechanics works, and having a bunch of folks reply that THIS is how it works…and me scratching my head and going, “But I STILL don’t get it!! Explain it to me.” Round and round we go.
As I said earlier, the answer is different for everyone, but the root is that we’ve nearly ALWAYS had pets…as a species. Understand? Humans have had pets since the dawn of man. In the early days it was for survival. Now, its just inertia from our past that makes them still desirable to us. We are GEARED to have pets. They are GEARED to being with us. We are acclimated to having them. They are acclimated to being with us. Its a symbiotic relationship. Studies show that people with pets generally live longer and healthier. Pets in human care generally live longer and better lives than in the wild.
If you still don’t get it, there is simply something missing from you…or you are being deliberatively provocative and stuborn on purpose (for whatever your reasons might be). In either case, there is simply no answer that is going to satisfy you, so why not just give up at this point?
-XT
Let me get this straight… If I told you that the only reason you want to have children is so that you can rape them, and you acted with outrage at that statement, it would be indicative of some hidden guilt on your part?
Or maybe you just acted with outrage because my accusation is obnoxious.
I think having a pet can fulfill a variety of needs in a person’s life like companionship, being needed, being loved.
I think, more basically it as an expression of an intrinsic instinct which we all have.
Pets are surrogate children.
As a human we are hardwired to get satisfaction from raising a child successfully. A pet is a permanent child, and a surrogate one.
Domesticated dogs evolved to be a companion species to humans. A study showed that dogs were better at understanding and interpreting human gestures than chimpanzees, even puppies that had had no prior human contact. People like having dogs around because dogs have evolved in such a way that makes them nice to be around.
And whattamean guilt? The pet owners (which I’m not) here are responding negatively because you’ve insulted them–you’ve stated that the relationship they have with a loved one is selfish and unnatural. People get wound up when a total stranger gets all up in their business like that.
On preview, Sam Stone said it better.