Do pets make better friends than people?

Those that remember my previous incarnation on Gaia may remember my pet Proserpine python, Shakira. Shakira passed away in her sleep last June aged 30 months as result of an infection.

I was a basket case for about a fortnight afterwards and the pain of the loss of my young friend is still present which from a commonsense point of view is rediculous. Particularly when you realise that the only real difference between a pet snake and a pet rock is that you don't have to feed a pet rock.

I would handle her a couple of times a day, and she came to recognise my touch and smell, and though there was no conscious communication it was an awesome privelege to bond with 300 million years of evolution.

What I have found puzzling in the time since her departure is the fact that I found myself mourning more for Shakira than for any human friend I have lost, as though the bond we had formed was closer than any human friendship.

I am not lonely for her, and don't feel the need to replace her for the sake of having a companion and probably won't. I don't particularly want to go through the pain of separation with a pet again.

But I'd love to know if others feel as I do, that we grow closer to our pets than we do to other people?

Is there some aspect of this that I'm overlooking that could help us to bond more closely with each other?

Re: Do pets make better friends than people?

I have experienced the long mourning period for pets. Perhaps because they depend on us more than people do. They don't turn on us or let us down. Some of my pets have taken years to get over. As for bonding more with people, I wish I knew. Sorry for your loss.

Re: Do pets make better friends than people?

Andrew, I am sad to hear about the death of your beloved pet. It has been difficult for us, especially my son, to get over our kitten's death in January. I believe sometimes we can feel very very close to our pets, perhaps because they do not say hurtful things or disappoint us, so that it comes closer than most relationships to unconditional love, which we all need.

Hugs,

Nicole

Re: Do pets make better friends than people?

Well having said what I said I visited Shakira's breeder and am now the delighted owner of an 11 month old Olive python 'Kundalini'.

Kundalini is preparing to shed his skin so I won't be bringing him home for about a week.

I can't wait.