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03-16-2019, 08:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-18-2019, 05:06 AM by LPC.
Edit Reason: Typo
)
If I am honest, I didn't like the way the article was written: about three women (women only) who like cats (and only cats). This seems to give the impression that only women live alone with cats, rather than men alone with cats, or women alone with dogs, or men alone with dogs....or indeed any other companion animal.
From my own website, I know from the many people who write in all the time, that there are many men who live also alone with a cat or cats. I also know that there are women who live alone with dogs, or men who live alone with dogs.
How people choose to live their lives is their choice. But the article seems to present a somewhat sexist and species-ist tone. We are all equal. Some people love animals (including those who love reptiles like you do, Catherine). There are also some people just don't like animals at all (women or men).
It is nothing to do with gender or the choice of companion animal. The most important thing is love, regardless of gender or species.
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I noticed that they were playing to a stereotype of single woman with a cat. You are quite right that all other possibilities exist.
Not only have I noticed men or women with a cat or a dog. I have also seen plenty of men or women with a cat and a dog.
Some people on their own have a bird. I have all kinds of things so I am hard to categorize.
I think if we are to get something from the article it is that humans do well with animal companions. For some people the pet does replace a lot of other relationships. This can be a very lonely world and a pet can really make a difference. Serious relationships sometimes just don't work out for people. I think that is where the three women were at. Their cats make up for a lot that they are not getting from people in their lives. Other companion animals would do just as well. They could easily have been men. I guess the fault lives with the writer who chose to draw on stereotypes for the article. It could have been a more comprehensive presentation of the idea of companion animals meeting human needs.
Catherine
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Sometimes old ladies who are alone, or unfit people on their own cannot have a dog. How would they walk it? Being alone is hard with a dog unless the person is fit and active.
A cat in those situations, is the perfect little friend. And so are other species (who don't need a 3 mile walk twice a day! LOL!)
Maybe that's where the "old lady on her own with cat" idea orginated from?