"but why would people want to return here knowing the risks?"

So you immediately told them about the three faults that run under Foley Square, making the possibility of an earthquake quite high (although probability remains low) so they could pack up and move, right?

Are they even aware of what their own risks are?

Kat, hope the surgery (and everything else) goes easily.

And hoping for Hayden's brother's safe and quick return home.

...

Fuck you, you fucking fuck

Is the punchline to one of the only jokes I can ever remember.

So, you wouldn't have bothered? Since he was just a dog?

I don't know. I might lean towards not. Not because he's a dog but because I'm more likely to cause damage since I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not even a fan of contemplating doing CPR on people that don't belong to me.

eta Actually, on edit and in thinking about this, no. I wouldn't do CPR on a dog and I'm not going to be all willy-nilly about it lest I offend someone. I wouldn't do it partially for the reasons above and partially because I work so damn hard to keep my sick-kid alive that I barely have mental energy for that let alone trying to use life-saving techniques on a pet. When I posted funny I didn't mean ha-ha; I meant oh, that pings me as a piece of this whole article.

I didn't have time before I had to go to the recovery room before I could clarify.

I'm missing something...

The article in the NYT examines the, according to a study, three different ways people perceive pets:

He found that, as a rule, people fall into one of three broad categories of beliefs concerning pets. Members of one group, which he labels “dominionists,” see pets as an appendage to the family, a useful helper ranking below humans that is beloved but, ultimately, replaceable. Many people from rural areas — like the immigrants Dr. Terrien interviewed — qualified.

Another group of owners, labeled by Dr. Blouin as “humanists,” are the type who cherish their dog as a favored child or primary companion, to be pampered, allowed into bed, and mourned like a dying child at the end. These include the people who cook special meals for a pet, take it to exercise classes, to therapy — or leave it stock options in their will.

The third, called “protectionists,” strive to be the animal’s advocate. These owners have strong views about animal welfare, but their views on how a pet should be treated — whether it sleeps inside or outside, when it should be put down — vary depending on what they think is “best” for the animal. Its members include people who will “save” a dog tied to tree outside a store, usually delivering it home with a lecture about how to care for an animal.

I think, ita, given conversations we've had about pets, you probably fall into the dominionists category, and I probably do to at this point in my life. I am definitely NOT in the humanist camp.

That was the connection.

CPR on a dog -> how people perceive dogs -> how this article quantifies people -> one category reminds me of ita. That was my thinking.

lisah, surgery went okay. We have to come back and repeat it on May 10. I got punched in the head and kicked in the mouth as Grace came out of anesthesia. I'd like to thank the PACU nurses who just stood there and watched and asked if I needed anything. YES. Two more doses of fentanyl.

I think I fall somewhere between dominionist and humanist. I love my cat very much, I will feed him special food if it will help him be healthy and live longer and I will mourn him deeply when he dies, but I'm not going to take him to therapy or leave him my (nonexistent) stock options. Thing is, he's not a human (as much as he thinks he is), he's a cat, and to treat him as a human is somehow disrespectful to both of us (in my head).

I don't think I fall into any of the those categories. I need a category that defines me as "someone who knows her dogs are just dogs, but still likes them more than 98% of the people she comes across."

Hayden, I really hope your brother stays safe and gets home without too much complication. I know if he's anything like you, he's doing his best to share his resources and help anyone who needs it.

I think I'm a little bit of all three. I love my cat fiercely. He sleeps with me, I do give him special food and medication 2X/day. When he dies, it will wreck me for a good long time. I am not taking him to therapy or leaving him money in my will. And, my medical treatment options are for sure geared toward what is best for him combined with very real financial limitations.

What ChiKat said.

(Hi there, ChiKat!!! kermit waves ChiKat-ward)

I may not be leaving money for my dogs in my will directly, but you can be damn sure I have a plan set in place for if I perish before them. And that does include proper $ for their care. I do not think that is strange; I think it's being a responsible pet owner. I volunteered at the SPCA and saw way too many animals put down because there was no plan for them after their owners died.