Raison de vivre
Companion animals - a reason for living

For many dog owners the companionship of dogs is often
“literally the only reason to survive,
to get up, to still keep going.
It gives them a reason to get up,
a reason to get out,
a reason to move around and
be in contact a little bit with the world outside."
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Pet dogs have ‘extensive and multifarious’ impact on environment, new research finds
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/10/pet-dogs-have-extensive-and-multifarious-impact-on-environment-new-research-finds

"Approximately 69% of households in Australia own pets, with dogs being the most common."
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https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-many-pets-are-there-in-australia/
#dogs #pets #wildlife #birds #penguins #beach #DogOwners #ProstheticDevices #harm #pollution #GHG #meat #pesticides #faeces #climate #DogAttacks #Australia #community #ReasonForLiving #CompanionAnimals #zeitgeist

So, someone posted a reply that suggested that I shouldn't "replace" my companion animals when they pass away. FYI -- I don't breed animals, I adopt animals that need a home. And always spade and neuter them (if they aren't already neutered). I live in a state without kill shelters, so the way I see it, those animals are going to get fed by someone -- it might as well be me. I am childfree by choice, and honestly think the impact caused by my siblings having kids (some of whom are parents now) is far greater than my tiny cat and puppy-sized dog.