Can a Pet Be Family?

Question:
I have decided, that my only true friend, is my dog. People have caused me a lot of pain, but my dog has remained loyal. I am giving up on humans. Why can't I find people, as loyal as my dog?
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Answer:
I understand your desire to withdraw from human contact. Human relationships are complex, and often painful. Whenever you put your heart out for someone, the risk of being hurt is high. The more intimate the relationship, the higher the risk.

An animal's friendship is certainly safer. Animals are accepting. They don't change. They are for the most part, predictable and dependable. They are easily controlled.

Unless you get bitten or physically attacked, you won't get hurt in a relationship, with an animal.
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But you also will never be challenged. With an animal, you will never have to question yourself, improve your ways, apologize. Your dog makes no demands, on your personality.

You can be as stubborn and inflexible, as he is. This is not good for you. When animal companionships replace human contact, only the animal benefits, whereas, the human stagnates.
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In intimate human relationships, we are called upon to change, grow and develop with our partner. We can't control each other, nor can we predict each other's moods. We have to be ready, to go out of ourselves, and address the emotional needs of another.

And as those needs change, we must adjust with them. Through sharing a life, making each other happy, and even sometimes hurting each other; we learn about ourselves, and grow as a person. Our partner becomes like a mirror, a dog can't do that.
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Don't give up on human beings, your dog has found a wonderful one, and you will too.