This is a curious thing and something I have often pondered. It is a thing which has vexed me personally.
Its because they are not people but yet still non-human family.
A show I watch had a character who on a tangent, nailed it.
My dog isnt especially pretty or smart,,and hes old now. But I love him anyway. I learned a lot about what it is to love another. I take care of my dog, and in his way, he takes care of me. And I learned, when you take care of something, you begin to love it.
I think I understand a little about this. My father died last year at age 92. He had a great productive life and he was sorely missed by everyone when he passed. People understand that we are on this earth for a limited time and if you manage to live a full, long life, it's a wonderful thing.
Earlier this year, we lost or little rescue Jack Russell Poodle mix. Every day that goes by I still feel a huge hole in my heart and we think about her every day. To her, we were gods who provided food, comfort and love and she responded with unlimited love and devotion. I'm sure she didn't understand why she was sick and blind and deaf and we weren't able to make her feel like a puppy again. She didn't understand, like people understand, that our time is limited and there's nothing we can do about it.
At least that's my current take on this.
Not much to ponder or be vexed about actually.
For some strange reason, our dogs give us unconditional loyalty and unconditional love.
Two things pretty hard to come by in another human being.
A NORMAL person has a tendency to respond in kind.