by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

Chat Transcript for Pet Owners: Do you treat your pets as family members? Win Gather Points™

October 22, 2009 01:49 PM EDT (Updated: October 30, 2009 04:08 PM EDT)
views: 126 | rating: 10/10 (12 votes) | comments: 251

Join us tonight 8-9PM ET for a live chat with pet owners. Whether you have (had) a dog, a cat, ferret, reptile, or any other animal, you’re invited! Tonight’s chat topic is the following: Do you treat your pet as a family member? If you have multiple pets, are all of them treated the same way? Do you agree or disagree with pet owners treating their animals as family members?

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d422/d20/d746/d224/d96/f3/full.jpgFun things to consider for the chat:

Change your Gather icon to a pic of your pet

Invite your pet to sit on your lap or desk (or if he’s really big, the floor) for the chat

Gather will draw twenty people who participate during the chat to receive 20 Gather Points™ each.

 

 


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Comments: 251

Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 2:12pm EDT
I'll try to be here.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 5:50pm EDT
you can bet I'll be here!! Thanks!!
sadeyes52 W. Oct 22, 2009, 5:53pm EDT
I'll be here if I don't forget.
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 7:00pm EDT
I'll also try to be here.

Thank-You for the invitation.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:00pm EDT
Do you treat your pet as a family member? Yes
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:00pm EDT
Hello, Is the pet chat about to start?
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:00pm EDT
Hi Janet
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
hi janet
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
If you have multiple pets, are all of them treated the same way? Yes
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
our cat doesn't want to be treated the same as the dog. he can be crabby now that he's getting older!!
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:01pm EDT
My 3 dogs are definately family members and very pampered ones at that. My 12 cats are sort of house mates and they think they run the house.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
cats always think they run the house!! lol
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:02pm EDT
Do you agree or disagree with pet owners treating their animals as family members? I agree. My beagles ARE family members. They go on vacation with us, sleep with us and get regular physicals and dental care just like we do.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
furbabies are babies. no question!!
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
My dogs get a lot more of my time and attention than the cats. The dogs go to play dates and dog obedience classes, for rides in the car and to McDonalds, and to the dog park. The cats say home because you can't do all that stuff with cats.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
our zena is our baby. she gets treated better than some of our hunab kids!!
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:03pm EDT
that should say human...fingers aren't working tonight!!
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
LOL, my children would say that about the dogs. The dogs are better behaved than the kids.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
less drama with the furbabies!!!
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
Oh yes! And I always know where they are too!
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
the furbabies love us no matter what. wish i could say the same about the other kids!
Erinn K. Oct 22, 2009, 8:41pm EDT
I take offense to that mom ;-)
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
I think pets should be treated like family and should have the same love and care as any family member. And I believe that pets belong in the house and not outside, unless the pet is a horse or goat or something like that.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
you don't keep your horse in the house?? just kidding!!!
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Oct 22, 2009, 8:40pm EDT
we had a turkey in the house once LOL, it was sick and it had its own bed even took neutralizer treatments like people to get well
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
I fully Agree to treat your Pet as a Family member. They certainly Love you unconditionally.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
My pets are all spoiled and get treated the same. I have 4 mini Dachshunds and 3 baby mini Dachshunds.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
Hi Sally.

sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
Hi Kat
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
i just saw your baby pics sally. they are adorable.
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
my sister Ruby has two small Dachunds. The boy is: Sir Ivan and the Girl is: Star.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
Thank you Michelle
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:11pm EDT
They sound cute Robbin
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
how are you sally?? we keep meeting in these chats!! lol
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
I am good Michelle. yes that we do. hehe
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
They are Helpless with out our Care and Love.
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
I agree that the dogs are better behaved than the kids! They don't talk back, demand to use the car, insist on expensive clothes, or get pregnant unexpectedly (if spayed).
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:07pm EDT
Oh, yes!
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
very true
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:06pm EDT
My pets are all family members. They have feelings just like we all do.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:16pm EDT
sometimes the animals have a better sense of someone else's feelings than humans.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
very true Michelle
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
am i late?? i thought this started at 9 confuused or is it the pain meds???
Bridget ♥ Oct 22, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
I was confused when I saw everyone chatting here! The title says @9 but the article says 8-9! LOL!
Bridget ♥ Oct 22, 2009, 8:09pm EDT
Maybe Stefanie was on pain meds when she posted this! LOL!

just joking!
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
i wish i could get off them although it is fun being on them on gather cause nothing gets to you :-D
Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team Oct 23, 2009, 12:23pm EDT
I'm so sorry for the typo in the title! The chat was meant for 8-9PM ET.

Bridget, no pain meds, but I had absolutely no caffeine that day. I guess it's bad for me whether I drink it or not!
Bridget ♥ Oct 22, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
I was confused when I saw all of you chatting here! The title says @9 but the article says 8-9! LOL!

We have 3 BIG dogs and they are just as spoiled as the kids are!

Headed out to take Chandler to wrestling practice! Enjoy your chat!
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
My new icon is my newest family member. Now I have 5 mini Dachshunds I own
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
They are so cute! My daughter really wants one but right now three beagles is all I can handle.
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
Freecycle here this week was offering 2 sister purebred mini-dachshunds free. The owner said she was moving to an apartment and couldn't take them. They were only 7 months old.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:11pm EDT
I'll give you another beagle Kat...LOL...you can have Maggie dog.
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
very cute
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
aw they would be nice to get.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
i thought you couldn't post pets on freecycle???
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
Janet, your hubby would not let you get rid of Maggie dog! But she is always welcome for a visit
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:08pm EDT
Dogs give unconditional love and are always glad to see their owner when the owner comes home, even if the person was only gone 5 minutes! The are also good for a person's social life, as we meet many nice people at our dog events. Halloween weekend we are going to a lodge on a lake with our dogs and our dog club. It will be lots of fun!
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
i agree with that
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:11pm EDT
you guys stay so busy with all your dog groups!!!
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
Janet, Hi! It sounds like you all will have a Great Time.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
Our dogs are definately spoiled family members (but not by me...lol)
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
so who does the spoiling, jax??
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Both Mike and my daughter....and the dogs only have eyes for Mike when he comes in the door. Maggie only comes to me if she wants to go outside and watch traffic.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
so maggie is a daddy's girl. zena is like that, she watches for him to come home & falls all over him giving him kisses. she comes to me for food & bathroom breaks. lol
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:11pm EDT
is corey a member of the family??? YES there was a time before my babies that he was my baby..., I also had a sun conyer who caught a cold and died
Erinn K. Oct 22, 2009, 8:44pm EDT
I miss Skittles . . but I don't remember that being the reason he died.
anne ( way 2 crazy of a life ) c. Oct 22, 2009, 8:52pm EDT
we woke up and he was dead in his cage, we are assuming he caught a cold because those are deadly to birds
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 8:12pm EDT
When I am in pain or don't feel well, my dogs cuddle up to me and comfort me and keep me company.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
they always know when you aren't feeling 100%. cuddling makes everything all better!!
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
So are the kitties Larry's then?
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
I know what you are saying! When my Heart beats way to fast, when I get up-set, I lay down until it goes back in rythum.
Peyton lays right on my Chest and will not move until it does.

I've talked to my Doctor about this, and his first response was: Don't get rid of that Cat.
Erinn K. Oct 22, 2009, 8:45pm EDT
Thats how I was with my Golden. Whenever I was crying or anything he would always come lick my tears away. Zoey not so much =(
Janet H. Oct 22, 2009, 9:27pm EDT
Janet, Larry says he doesn't have any pets but he always has cats all over him.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:14pm EDT
I've always wondered....Why is it that purebred animals seem to live less years than mixed breeds? anyone know why?
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:15pm EDT
my grandmother used to say it was because they were TOO well bred. don't know for sure.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
I think it more depends on the size of the animal...big dogs don't live as long as little dogs.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
All my dogs, Beagles, have lived well a long time.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
there is a definate difference in size & longevity. life expectancy of larger dogs is up to 10-12 years. small dogs tend to live 15-18.....so i've read anyway.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
DO your pets pile in the bed with you to sleep at night? Anyone?
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
Oh, yes!
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
zena climbs in bed with us once in awhile. she prefers her couch in the family room.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
yes, she does! (Golden retriever). especially now that the indoor temp is cooler.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
Maggie gets in bed with my husband, until I come up and kick her out.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
try 4 of them in your bed at once. they are cover hogs lol
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
i SO miss my golden. he was the best dog!!!
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
Of course!
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Was told that it could possibly turn into a "dominance" issue if I didn't break her from climbing into the bed, but Faith seems to do it out of a need to be close. She chooses to sleep on the tile floor most nights.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
lol me and my husband have to play tug of war with the blankets at night.
Erinn K. Oct 22, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
Zoey sleeps in bed with me when I take naps, but she doesn't sleep with us in the bed anymore at night . . don't know why.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 9:00pm EDT
zoey doesn't sleep with you at night cuz you guys don't have a big enough bed for the 3 of you!! lol
Janie E. Oct 30, 2009, 7:02pm EDT
Oh, yeah!! My Snow sleeps with me and Angel sleeps with my hubby!
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
My daughter dresses our doggies up in clothes even. Maggie doesn't seem to care as long as she gets a treat or two.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
that's when you know you have a great dog. the kids dress them up & the dog loves it just as much as the kids!!
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
Maggie is such a good girl.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
does anyone have a therapy dog? i thought about getting zena into it but she's a little hyper.
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
What kinda dog is Zena?
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
she's a diverse breed. lol.... she was a rescue so we don't know exactly what she is. we've heard pit bull, greyhound, great dane & even australian shepherd.
Erinn K. Oct 22, 2009, 8:46pm EDT
She is way too hyper *LoL* But she is so sweet!
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:21pm EDT
Does anyone else here tonight have a Cat?
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:22pm EDT
Yes i have 3 of them
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:23pm EDT
i have a crabby cat!! lol

he's about 13, so he doesn't like to be very social anymore.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
we have 2 small baby cats and the mother. The mother likes to try and swat at my dogs.
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
I have a 2 yr old male. He's a scaredy cat. He won't go outside. he's to scared.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
aw. my mother cat loves going outside.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
we are putting up a private fence so my dogs and cats can run around and play and use up there energy. They have lots of it.
Janie E. Oct 30, 2009, 7:03pm EDT
We had a cat named Andy, but, he died. :(
RobbinLynn B. Oct 30, 2009, 7:08pm EDT
I'am sorry your "Andy" passed away. I'am sure is running and playing in doggie Heaven.. :)
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
Good evening all! :)
I grew up with dogs and cats. They were a part of our family. It's the way it was and still is for me and my children. My daughter and I include our dogs in everything. Especially holidays. Daisy is family~
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
hi kim......daisy & punk are great family members!!
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Thanks Michelle. Sometimes I leave Punk out. he is such a punk. usually in the dog house he is,lol
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Hi Kim!
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
Hi Kat! scrolling up and down to keep up,lol
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:24pm EDT
I just wokeup from a nap with my 3 cats. I almost missed this chat =p
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
Hi Cindy!
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
Hi Kat =)
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Helloooo
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
Hi Kim, is Daisy on your lap? =D
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
on the chair in front of me so i can type,lol.. she loves to be in on the chats
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
hi cindy.
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
It's cold here so we all snuggld up in the bedroon under the electric blaket. =)
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:27pm EDT
Eh, my dogs would be there with me, lol.
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
it almost hit 80 here today. i opened the windows again. probably be the last time til spring, lol.
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:29pm EDT
LOL. Lily puppy thinks every blanket in the house is hers. She will grab them from everywhere and put them on the floor. She has to lay on each one, even if it means getting on top of someone else.
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
Your cat or cat's like to get under Blankets too? Peyton always does.
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
Peyton is a good looking kitty =)
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
Does anyone have a dog that gets car sick?
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
no our dog does really well in the car.
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
My folks use to have a poodle that got car sick. He sat in the backseat with me. He always made sure to barf right in my lap. =(
Janet "Jax" B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:31pm EDT
Thank goodness NO. Maggie travels with us all over....over 2700 miles this summer...
Kim B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:32pm EDT
not here. How Miss Daisy got her name is from her love of going for rides in the car. be awful if she got sick. don't think i've ever had one that did.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
I did, but she outgrew it around a year old. Faith used to get very sick even when being in a slowly moving car!
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
my dogs love going for rides in the car and they love going to the park.
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
Have not heard of that before.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
Lady beagle doesn't do long car rides well and we are heading to Florida the week of Thanksgiving. I need to find something that will settle her stomach on the ride.
Kat W. Oct 22, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
She loves to be in the car and does fine on very short trips but after a couple of hours she doesn't do well.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
my vet mentioned that this is normal because of the unique shape of a golden's inner ear structure, combined with the low rumblings of the engine.
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
My mouse needs to be cleaned again, it's not a pet though. But my typing is comeing out worse then normal =D
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
A good friend of mine breeds goldens. When I bought "Faith" at six weeks of age I did so with the information that female canines are always more relaxed and outgoing. That was one of the most useful bits of information I have ever used! Faith is 2 now and just a calm and respectful as could be!
RobbinLynn B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:35pm EDT
How did you choose her Name? I really like it.
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:36pm EDT
our golden was a boy. we adopted him at just under a year old. he was a perfect gentleman for 12 years. he was a wonderful "brother" for my 2 daughters.

i'd love to get another golden one of these days.
Tom Montgomery Oct 22, 2009, 8:47pm EDT
Sorry about the delay, there....Got lost in "gather"....back now.... anyway, my last dog was given to me by a friend that couldn't keep him when he moved into an apartment....his name was "bear". Bear was a good golden, but I hated the name! For some silly reason, I have this issue with naming an animal the name of a different animal....whatever. I am a Christian. "Faith" was my Christmas gift to me!
Cindy B. Oct 22, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
I want to get a little dog, but I know my kitty's would never allow that... =p
Michelle S. Oct 22, 2009, 8:38pm EDT
our cat was the same way. he grew up with our golden but every dog we've brought home since....he lets them know who the boss of the house is.
sally g. Oct 22, 2009, 8:34pm EDT
Do your dogs love giving kisses and do you let them kiss your face?