Why we need pets

[mercygate]

When a German journalist put the issue to the then Cardinal Ratzinger in 2002, he received a surprising answer. The Pontiff-to-be called the issue “very serious,” detailing his theological belief that animals are God’s creatures, deserving of merciful treatment by man.

Let’s get up a petition to stop the ridiculous practice of not allowing a pope to have a pet in the Vatican. That is cruelty to Popes, who already have just about the loneliest job in the world.

 

[mercygate]

Yes!! Cuz if He did not, then he would not have created them so darn CUTE and LOVEABLE, with crazy antics and cuddly personalities!!

I think St. Francis would agree!

If God did not want us to focus on them so much, he would have made kittens to look like cockroaches and puppies to look like sow bugs. Then we wouldn’t love them so much!

Many saints have been closely associated with pet animals. I think I recall that one of them is said to have revived his pet chicken after his monastic brothers killed and ate it.

 

[redrosetea]

I guess we don’t need many things…we don’t need flowers or chrismas trees, or music, or poetry… but what a bleak world it would be without them

 

[LaLucia]

When my two sons were kids I used to have pet mice for them to play with. The mice lived in bird cages or fish tanks. They also had names. My son’s would teach them tricks to do and it was amazing.
When my sons grew up I ended up with a pet mouse named Clementine. I lived in a tiny rental apt. When I would get home from work I used to let her out of the cage so she could have fun playing around the tiny apt.

When it was time for me to go to bed I would call her and she would come out where I could see her and I would put her in her cage.
One day a wild mouse came into the apt from under the refrigerator and started playing with Clementine. They both went under the refrigerator and then at night she would return so I could put her back into her cage. But then one day she chose to pack her bags and left my apt to go live with the wild mouse in the outside world.

 

[Ghoti]

Let’s get up a petition to stop the ridiculous practice of not allowing a pope to have a pet in the Vatican. That is cruelty to Popes, who already have just about the loneliest job in the world.

Popes aren’t allowed to have pets? Is this true?

I guess that’s why there hasn’t been a Franciscan in the chair of Peter in 200 years.

But doesn’t every Pope have a few pet cardinals?

 

[redrosetea]

I have read that their are no pets allowed in Vatican City…perhaps because of the size? I really don’t know why

 

[Nanny_PK]

But doesn’t every Pope have a few pet cardinals?

Hillarious!!!

 

[mercygate]

Popes aren’t allowed to have pets? Is this true?

I guess that’s why there hasn’t been a Franciscan in the chair of Peter in 200 years.

But doesn’t every Pope have a few pet cardinals?

Yup. B-16 had to give up his cats. Maybe they think there’s a problem with 'em damaging the 16th Century furniture and priceless art. If a Pope had dogs, it would be kind of awful if he mistook a statue of St. Raphael for a fire hydrant.

Maybe a statue of Luther would be OK, though?

 

[LaLucia]

I met a man who has been taking his dog to church with him for 10yrs. They sit on the stairway in the Lobby of the church where they can hear the Mass. The dog waits for him while he goes to recieve holy communion. The dog is big and fluffy.
I told him I had heard about him.
I think someone else had a small dog in church today. They passed me outside the church really fast.

In California there is a law that allows people to have pets in their rentals apt. for mental health reasons. Isn’t that interesting?

 

[redrosetea]

It’s interesting to hear about dogs in church… I am not sure that this is the place to bring a pet, unless they are very well trained

 

[strngrnrth]

Most cats and probably half the dogs I have known were free, and cost under $200 in today’s value of currency to neuter and vaccinate, total, while supplies (litter box, dish and a few toys) came to way under $10 total. Litter is as cheap as dirt, and dirt can substitute. Cat food and dog food can be had very cheaply. They also eat table scraps (careful about fish and chicken bones, chocolate and anything with caffeine or high in sugar, the little livers aren’t designed to graze like ours are). Pets are cheaper than alarm systems for the home, weapons for self-defense, gym memberships for encouragement to work out, and heat in winter, all of which they at least partially substitute for (well,a cat will lose all respect for you if you use him as a self-defense weapon, but the rest they will be happy to do.) They also provide peace with another species, that is, a little bit of peace with nature, and sweet pure simple companionship. Unlike human companions, cats and normal dogs don’t turn on you, expect more than you can give or use you to get back at someone else etc. They don’t care how you look, don’t lose respect for you as a provider if you have a small dwelling or shabby furnishings, or measure your relationship by status symbols, for they have a simple, realsitic view of how good they actually have it just to be indoors and fed every day, and thye know the one who hunts the best is the boss, not the one who plays social games the best. They’re honest and affectionate because that’s who they really are.

 

[ArdenB]

And let’s not forget that Pope Benedict loves cats himself!

I didn’t know that. Can the pope have pets?

 

[Della]

I didn’t know that. Can the pope have pets?

Unfortunately, IMHO that is, the pope cannot have a pet in the Vatican. His brother is keeping the pope’s pet cat for him. I suppose he gets to see it now and then.

I can’t see why a small dog or cat would be a problem, though. The Queen of England keeps dogs amid priceless works of art, furniture, etc. Seems rather draconian to disallow a pet in the Vatican. Cats can be trained to keep their claws off of things and to go where they’re supposed to.

 

[Sierrah]

We need pets to teach us compassion for others.

 

[Ghoti]

I still don’t know *who *made the decision – and on whose authority – that HH can’t have his cat at the Vatican.

I don’t buy the priceless artifacts etc argument. Keep puss-puss in the Papal Apartments – even a single room would suffice. My cat does not go outside my tiny apartment – but she has kibble, fresh water, a clean place to litter, attention, and things to do. She doesn’t need to roam around outside the apt, and is content to stay in.

I just don’t get it.

 

[LaLucia]

The Pope has his own private apartment. His cat can help him get some new furniture in his apartment. There are many animal lovers that will buy the Pope new furniture every year if necessary.
The Pope is missing out on the joy of watching his cat entertain him and also hold his fluffy cat. So sad…

I live near Hollywood and movie stars have tons of animals running around their beautiful homes. They even have pot belly pigs in their homes.

My small dog entertains me everyday with just looking at her and holding her in my arms and taking her for walks and car rides.
I also talk to her and she understands. I think she can read my mind too because she knows when she is not going out with me and when she is going out with me. She reads my body language.

 

[Nanny_PK]

I also talk to her and she understands. I think she can read my mind too because she knows when she is not going out with me and when she is going out with me. She reads my body language.

Mine hears me, too – she just doesn’t always listen. Kind of like a teenager Mine also knows when I’m going and she can’t because she’ll go in the garage while I’m packing the car and refuse to come inside OR she’ll be at my feet looking at me intensely so she can make her move and hope I don’t see her in the car. She’s really very cute – spins and spins in circles by the door when I come in.

 

[LaLucia]

Hi Nanny, it looks like you have a cute dog to keep you company.
It is interesting that when we talk to them they do hear us but they don’t want to listen. Some dog trainers say that sometimes dogs don’t hear us and that is why they don’t do what we tell them to do. But my dog does hear me and still she does what she wants to do. She can be stuborn at times. Tis…tis…

Sometimes I wish I could take my dog with me when I go shopping but if it is too cold or too hot weather I have to leave her home. When I get home she looks through my bags to see if I bought her a toy or a snack. She looks so cute looking through my bags.

It is cute how your dog tries to hide in your car.

 

[redrosetea]

My guess is the Pope doesn’t have one ,because other people living there can’t ,either

I don’t know if it is really a rule ,or more of a strong suggestion?