Who do you save?

[Kennigit]

Why are humans worthless?

The human you save won't be cuddly and cute and bring warmth to your heart. It'll probably be just some dude who says "thanks bro" and leave you alone forever. Maybe add you as a friend on facebook. Nothing worthwhile- he or she has never been a part of your life before, and won't be after you save them. Worthless. If you actually talk to them after you save him or her, you'd probably find him/her annoying and be a jerk. Worthless.

But on the other hand, you have your beloved pet, the animal love of your life. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside, just bubbling with goodness.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

What kind of Crisis?

I'd probably save the human. My pet Dove could probably fly away on her own. Also, she has already reached the life expectancy for her species anyway, so saving her would probably only delay her death by a short amount.

 

[LucyDuke]

I know perfectly well it's not what I should do, but I'm pretty damn sure I would not be able to stand by and let my dog die.

 

[amadeus]

The money I spent on my dog could have saved many anonymous people.

Indeed. Who is to say this choice does not exist?

 

[Colonel]

My animals

 

[LucyDuke]

What sort of death is the non-saved one going to experience? Quick and painless? Slow and agonizing? Do we have to bear witness? Would those change anyone's answer?

 

[bhsup]

What sort of death is the non-saved one going to experience? Quick and painless? Slow and agonizing? Do we have to bear witness? Would those change anyone's answer?

Going with the intent of my post, just assume quick and painless. I am trying to make it (this is intentional) as easy as possible for the folks to answer pet if they are at all inclined to do so.

 

[MobBoss]

There is a crisis. You have time to save the life of one of the following, but not both:

• A total stranger human being. You know NOTHING about this person other than it is an adult that has never, ever been a part of your life in any way. Gender cannot be determined.
• Your beloved pet that you love and treat like it is your own child.

Which one do you save? Why?

Me? I know it is wrong, but I almost guarantee I am going to save my pet. Human life SHOULD come first, but I just couldn't leave my doggie or kitties to die.

The person. I can always get another animal.

And for those of you saying you would save the pet.

What if it were your pet or your child?

Pet or your mom/dad/sibling?

Pet or your first counsin/uncle/aunt?

Pet or your ex-wife?

Etc. Etc.

In other words, how far removed must the *stranger* be for you to continue to choose a pet over a person? What if the person isnt a stranger but someone you know? family member or neighbor maybe?

 

[Ramius75]

Human life has a greater intrinsic value for me than animal life.

Not really, we have 6 billions human anyway... but there is only 1 pet.

i would said politically correct, human life is so much more important...

but i spent over ten of thousands on my pets (surgery fee)
the same amt could save a few life in Africa or other places.
So think about this irony...

 

[LucyDuke]

I can always get another animal.

Clearly you haven't got a beloved pet.

 

[Ramius75]

In other words, how far removed must the *stranger* be for you to continue to choose a pet over a person? What if the person isnt a stranger but someone you know? family member or neighbor maybe?

it really depends on the human actually.

A young pretty, physical attractive damsel in distress ? or just another average joe...

Sucks to be average joe thou...

 

[MobBoss]

Like I said ramius you can always get another pet.

I also find it quite sad that people would choose an animal over another human being. Its actually quite a selfish choice in my opinion...to choose to save an animal over a human. I would certainly want someone, even one of you to care enough to say, save one of my own kids over a pet, or even another anonymous poster here in the OT over some animal. No matter how much I disagree with anyone on these boards I would still choose them over my pet without question.

And I find it hugely strange that others actually wouldnt. Is it a matter of not respecting or likeing other people? Loneliness? Self-loathing?

Dont get me wrong. I have had pets all my life and have had to make some gut wrenching decisions about them. Last year we had to put our dog Oscar down because of cancer, and it was a very difficult thing to do, but it was the humane thing to do. And now we have a new dog that just turned 1 year old. But I wouldnt choose either of them over a person. Never.

 

[Ramius75]

Like I said ramius you can always get another pet.

I also find it quite sad that people would choose an animal over another human being. Its actually quite a selfish choice in my opinion...to choose to save an animal over a human. I would certainly want someone, even one of you to care enough to say, save one of my own kids over a pet, or even another anonymous poster here in the OT over some animal. No matter how much I disagree with anyone on these boards I would still choose them over my pet without question.

And I find it hugely strange that others actually wouldnt. Is it a matter of not respecting or likeing other people? Loneliness? Self-loathing?

Dont get me wrong. I have had pets all my life and have had to make some gut wrenching decisions about them. Last year we had to put our dog Oscar down because of cancer, and it was a very difficult thing to do, but it was the humane thing to do. And now we have a new dog that just turned 1 year old. But I wouldnt choose either of them over a person. Never.

agree, understand ur point of view....

i would have wanted other ppl to save my children over a pet too. but like i mention, human are selfish... its really depends on how much "worth" the human is we placed in our heart.

I'm already guilty of spending many many thousands on my pet... but im sad to say i never donate the equivalent amount to help other humans, yet...

 

[MobBoss]

Clearly you haven't got a beloved pet.

CLearly you have never beloved a human then?'

Me saying that pretty much shows how silly your own comment was....doesnt it?

Come off it Lucy, I have indeed had beloved pets. My family has always had pets and we recognize that some are indeed more beloved than others. My most beloved pet is our cat Frenchie. We have had him for going on 15 years now and never, ever had a problem out of him. He doesnt even need a litterbox as he is trained to go in our bathtub (and is easily cleaned up). There is going to be a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth when that cat dies, but even then, I couldnt live with myself if I didnt save someone elses life over that cats. I would regret not being able to save both of them, but I know I would regret the person most. What right do I have to choose my cat over someone else that also is loved and cared for by others? What right do I have to take their life away simply because I am so selfish as to save my pet because of my emotional ties to it? Thats just selfishness.

 

[Donkeyman]

It's pretty strange that your cat drops deuces in your bathtub bro.

 

[Birdjaguar]

The person. I can always get another animal.

And for those of you saying you would save the pet.

What if it were your pet or your child?

Pet or your mom/dad/sibling?

Pet or your first counsin/uncle/aunt?

Pet or your ex-wife?

Etc. Etc.

In other words, how far removed must the *stranger* be for you to continue to choose a pet over a person? What if the person isnt a stranger but someone you know? family member or neighbor maybe?

You have changed the choice. Of course I would choose family over a pet. As the previously posted link stated, the "proximity" of the relationship will usually determine the choice made. The definition of "proximity" is important. MB you feel "closer" to a nameless human than to a family pet for your own reasons. When the two choices have very different proximities, the choice is much easier. A "Sophie's Choice"* is much more difficult.



*"Sophie's Choice" (movie) was between saving her her son or her daughter.

 

[Joecoolyo]

If I were that person who needed saving, and the lifesaver had to choose between saving me and his/her pet, I would most definitely prefer they choose me! So, as the saver, I will always choose the person over the pet.

This.

 

[MobBoss]

It's pretty strange that your cat drops deuces in your bathtub bro.

Not at all. In fact its much less mess than a litterbox. We once had a siamese cat that we actually trained to go in the toilet believe it or not (we didnt train her to do that...she came pre-trained).

You have changed the choice. Of course I would choose family over a pet. As the previously posted link stated, the "proximity" of the relationship will usually determine the choice made. The definition of "proximity" is important. MB you feel "closer" to a nameless human than to a family pet for your own reasons. When the two choices have very different proximities, the choice is much easier. A "Sophie's Choice"* is much more difficult.

*"Sophie's Choice" (movie) was between saving her her son or her daughter.

How about this then BJ. How do you face the family of the person you didnt save? Because if you do save your pet over someone else, even a stranger...I assure you people are going to come asking why.

In fact, I would probably say that someone letting a person die over their pet could face criminal negligence charges, and almost absolutely would be facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of the person that was left to die.

I can say this with absolute conviction. If I found out that someone let a member of my family die simply to save an animal, I would pursue them to the fullest extent of the law and possibly even beyond it. You had better guard Rover quite well, or he might be on his way to Europe to be sharkbait for some fisherman there....

 

[bhsup]

Thing is, I actually agree with MobBoss. Human life SHOULD come first. But I also know I am weak in this matter and would probably choose my pet over some faceless human who is not in any way a part of my life. I guess it's just a failing I know would come up.

 

[MobBoss]

Thing is, I actually agree with MobBoss. Human life SHOULD come first. But I also know I am weak in this matter and would probably choose my pet over some faceless human who is not in any way a part of my life. I guess it's just a failing I know would come up.

VRWCAgent, I dont think you have thought about how you would feel if you actually did choose the animal over the person. It would probably ruin your life to be honest.

In fact, I think outrage about it would be so great, it would probably cost you your pet in some fashion in the end anyway. So nothing would be really saved. No winners in the tragedy it would seem.