At the heart of much speculative fiction
(and fiction in general) is a question.
What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out
there and see what you make of it. Do with it
as you please. If a for-instance is not specified,
feel free to interpret that instance as you
wish. And if you find this becomes
a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a
thank you in the acknowledgements. 😉
What if we didn't have pets? That is, what if it was not normal to take creatures that aren't human into your home and have them become a part of your family?
That would be sad. I can't imagine not having my pup for the 16 yrs. I was fortunate enough to have her. Also, would this include service animals and comfort animals? What would people do without them??
ReplyDeleteI did not specify the for-instance, so you can choose whether or not it includes service animals. I would imagine if we didn't have pets, we wouldn't use service animals, but I could be wrong.
DeleteIf it wasn't normal, I guess I wouldn't miss it! I know some cultures don't have indoor pets, but since I do, I wouldn't want to live there! I honestly need a dog to be happy. Animals, such as dogs, would have to evolve backwards to quit being "domesticated." Even if we only used dogs for hunting, surely we'd get attached to them. I do think that the "pet" industry has gone too far though. Now animals that should be left in the wild are sold as "exotic pets." I'm glad Oregon stopped issuing permits for those more than a decade ago.
ReplyDeleteIf it wasn't normal, I'd assume the animals hadn't been domesticated. But again, I didn't specify, so perhaps...
DeleteI always read that dogs sort of domesticated themselves, hanging around the caveman mammoth barbecues! Then the humans found they were useful to keep around.
DeleteThen we didn't stand a chance. There was no way we wouldn't have kept them around then. It's an interesting question: how did we first decide to keep pets around?
DeleteI can’t imagine a world without cats and dogs. Especially cats.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a different world, indeed.
DeleteI think we would have a lot more lonely people. Pets fill a social need in too many of us. It would seem (I was a cultural anthropology major) that most societies keep pets, although the type of creature so kept varies quite a lot. So if this wasn't human normal...I don't know. It's hard to imagine.
ReplyDeleteWe would be a different kind of people without them, I'd imagine.
DeleteWe never had a pet so I can't comment on it.
ReplyDeleteOur lives would be empty for it.
ReplyDeleteProbably.
DeleteI would be one to change that rule. We are creatures who, essentially, love other creatures. I could not see myself without an animal in my life. I'm grateful to live in a country where animals, for the most part, are treated well. I know there are many cruel people out there but at least we don't have puppies and dogs and cats in cages to be eaten. I also know some cultures do look at these animals as pests. I think they need to be educated
ReplyDeleteI suppose there would be people who go against the grain and do things their own way.
DeleteIf we did not have pets the world would be lost!! lol...actually if that is all we ever knew then I prob would not be an issue. If it as a new thing, most folks could adjust but if the world not having pets came about today and they took away what we had, it would be a major issue....Not giving up my furs.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I specified that it would have never been a thing. Because saying that we're not allowed pets any more is a completely different question.
DeleteWe’d probably talk more with the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteOoh... Maybe humans are the pets.
ReplyDeleteThat's a different story entirely ;)...
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