[sethrin]

America has internalized Disney-esque values about certain animals. I'm from rural Alaska and you'll pardon my not having any illusions about whether nature is in fact red in tooth and claw. Pets are no more important than any other possession. They are not human, and they can be easily replaced. They are chattel: that is a fact, not an opinion.

[Stratoscope]

I asked my cat what she thought of your opinion.

She yawned lazily and said, "Please inform your misguided friend that we are not chattel. Thank you."

[synicalx]

Most people are attached to their pets, whether or not that attachment has a basis is cold hard rational thought is largely irrelevant. There's no need to be so rude about it either, if you had of just posted this earlier instead of what you originally posted, you might have started an actual conversation.