Just read this quite interesting story especially liking the fact that a quarter of women admit to loving their pet more than their partner .
fact.
Babies With BiteFluffy companions like cats and dogs are increasingly becoming child and partner substitutes for young women, a new survey says. But can pets provide the emotional support we need? We look at the pros and cons of puppy love.
They have names like Rover, Tiddles and Mr Fluffy, they like to jump on strangers and they can be hell on the furniture, but for women across the UK, dogs and cats are no longer just pets - they're children.
According to a new survey by online insurer swiftcover.com, 600,000 women in Great Britain specifically own a pet as a child substitute, or 'fur baby' as they are increasingly known.
Younger women in particular seem to be buying into the concept: the survey found that today's 18 to 29-year-olds are the loneliest group of people in the UK, with more than half (51 per cent) of those who have owned a cat or dog saying they do so for companionship. Women are also more likely to have been pet owners than men.
But replacing the pitter patter of tiny feet for the scratchy sounds of tiny paws is nothing new, says psychologist Patricia Doorbar.
"I think it's too easy to say, 'it's just a child', but I think it's a lonely thing and it's something to give attention to," she says.
"We all have this terrible urge to look after things and to look after children. But dogs fulfil that function perfectly, and they fall into it."
But replacing the pitter patter of tiny feet for the scratchy sounds of tiny paws is nothing new, says psychologist Patricia Doorbar.
More Pet Facts
:: A quarter of women admit to loving their pet more than their partner.
:: Four in 10 female pet owners reckon their pet shows them more affection than their partner.
:: Women are more likely than men to allow their dog or cat to sleep on the bed every night.
:: 59 per cent of women would turn to their pet to comfort if they were stressed.
:: 14 per cent of women rely more on their pet for affection than their spouse, partner, friends or relatives.
:: 90 per cent of women talk to their pet compared to 78 per cent of men.
:: One in five women like to buy birthday and Christmas gifts for their pets, compared to just one in 10 men.
:: 38 per cent of women view their pet as part of the family, compared to 33 per cent of men. ____________
Posted:
Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:53 am
peachess70 HouseTrained
Joined: Nov 04, 2006 Posts: 50 Age: 25 No.Of Pets: 5 Pet Types: hamster, fish
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Location: The West Country Medals: None
Hmmm they must have looked at my life
Someone once said that women who were mad about animals were inadequate in relationships, not sure that's true as it is circumstances in my case that I live alone (plus a mistrust of all men after the last 10 years experiences ), but Polo sleeps cuddled up to me and farts, snores and hogs the duvet so not much difference really! ____________ Pretty Polly Pavey of Polidot - 06/08/1996 - 13/07/2006 - Dalspa Liquid Gold for Polidot 20/10/1999 - 08/05/2007 - Polly and Polo together again
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), but Polo sleeps cuddled up to me and farts, snores and hogs the duvet so not much difference really! 
