Feature article in Atlantic City features author's den member Diana L. Guerrero.
Excerpt from November 9, 2003 (for full article use the link below)
By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, (609) 272-7215
"I love cats. I prefer them to people. They don't clog the interstate and they seldom vote Republican." - Robert Petree of Orlando, Fla., at a hearing on the treatment of Florida's feral cats.
Shadella Holloway of Pleasantville makes no bones about it. She loves her Shih Tzu named Baby.
"We go everywhere, she's so spoiled," Holloway said. "She's all I need. She's my world."
Well, not quite. Holloway has a daughter and plenty of friends, but "they hate it because I talk about (the dog) so much," she said.
Is Holloway getting carried away with puppy love? Some people might think so.
"It depends on how the animal is integrated into your life," said Petie Subin, a mental health consultant from Margate.
If you don't want to go on vacation because you can't bear to leave your dog or cat behind, you may be crossing the line, Subin said. It's OK to call your pets your "children." After all, you care for them, feed them and discipline them. But if you have human children and relate to your dog or cat better than you do to your son or daughter, something's not right.
"Take an elderly person who has an animal. If having the animal makes them want to keep going in this world, that's not bad," Subin said.
There was a time when people kept animals because of their usefulness. Dogs herded sheep or cattle, helped with the hunt or pulled sleds. Cats kept the fields and silos free of rodents. Period.
But these days, some experts are becoming concerned that some folks are using their pets as substitutes for relationships with other people. They share the bed with their dog or cat or talk to pet psychics when their animals seem unhappy. Some upscale hotels not only allow pets, but also give them doggie massages and prepare them fancy meals made with meat and fish meant for human consumption.
One newly published book, "What Animals Can Teach Us About Spirituality" by Diana L. Guerrero, tells people how their pets can help them bring out the best in each other, help each other and heal from stress.
I’ve encountered many non-human creatures on my life’s journey.
I have found each and every one of these animals to be a unique and wondrous being.
Animals have truly brought fullness to my life. Some of them have also brought de
Puffy strays and something happens to make him decide he will never run away again. Judged "Outstanding" at the 2013 Writers Digest SPB Awards. Named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services 2019 by the Mom’s Choice Awards®.
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