Against the complexities of modern life and human relationships, the relationship between owner and pet is refreshingly simple.
Respondents occasionally related anecdotes which appeared to involve pet revenge (e.g. so called "accidents" in the house, on clothing, etc.) but in most instances the owner enjoys a gratifying sense of unchallenged power. They can discipline the animal as they wish; choose and reject them; use them as a conduit for fighting with the neighbours; and take their frustrations out on them. The power the owner has over the animal may be a welcome compensation for lack of power in human relationships. Rivalries between animals and other household members are an illustration of an upset in the exercise of power.
"Dogs will try to dominate you. You've got to show them who's boss".
"My dog ate my mother-in-law's bromeliaeds because she wouldn't let him inside"
"My daughter brought this cat home and it scratched me. It had this dominance thing - after I whacked it, it was humble"
"We were interested in Springer Spaniels but we decided against them because they get back problems - that's the last thing you need".
"Ours aren't allowed inside, they know where they belong".
"At least you can tell a dog to shut up and it'll take some notice of you, but not a cat".
"I trained our cat with the hose when he was little not to chase birds".
and they are always grateful, at least in the case of dogs. The owner's expectations of a pet may also be quite straight forward - companionship, child substitute, teacher, watchdog. Even the notion of dog as "man's best friend" implies an uncomplicated, unquestioning and rewarding relationship. Feelings of guilt can be quite strong if an owner feels they have not kept their side of the simple "bargain" of trust between pet and owner.
"I had guilt feelings over our first Labrador. He hadn't had much attention because the kids were small after he died, he came to me in a dream and said he was as happy as could be".
"When we were building here the dog had to go to the kennels. When I came home at night he wasn't here to greet me, it was odd, I hadn't realised how much I looked forward to it".
"As long as we don't have any other pets, our dog is happy".
"Our cockie died, aged 50, two days before we went on holidays. It was so convenient, but I felt real guilty, as if I'd willed him into dying".
"Dogs take on the characteristics of the people who own them".
"I'm scared of German Shepherds. They can be treacherous".
"I hate Kelpies and Blues. My daughter was bitten by one".
"The smaller they are, the more aggressive and yappy they are".
You can tell how big a pup will get by the size of his feet".
"A watchdog is comforting if I'm out and the family is on their own". "I want a good guard dog to look after the wife and kids".
is also inherent in the acceptance of the occasional cruelty of animals.
"Look at the way a cat plays with a mouse, they won't kill it for ages".
"With animals it's survival of the fittest. A bitch will reject a weak pup".
there is sometimes another level of primitivism to the relationship, something as basic as the "cave man" connotations of dogs but more subtle, even sinister. It was apparent from some cat owners' conversations that they believe cats may have a form of "second sight", verging on mystical powers. Their perceived aloofness is taken as evidence of this, as if they are above (or beyond, or below) normal motivations and operating on an agenda of their own. This mysteriousness makes some people distrust and dislike cats, while other people respect them for it.
"They're very elusive, like witches".
"My cat's name is Essie. It means 'sacred cat of Burma'. She's got a white nose and feet where they rest on the Buddha's feet".
"Is it true cats won't stay in a house which is haunted?"
"Cats are very perceptive, they'll pick up on ghostly vibes which we don't notice" "And it's not only cats, my dog wouldn't go into a room which a psychic friend of mine said was full of spirits".
is that pet ownership satisfies a deep urge to be in touch with our basic instincts, with life and "nature" as represented in those primitive motivations which drive us and ultimately satisfy us. Pets don't demand sophistication or even intelligence from their owners, the communication can be satisfactorily carried out at a basic and uncomplicated level.