Would you choose to have your beloved Pet LIVE rather than a complete Stranger ?

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I know this is kind of a silly theoretical question. But still kind of fun and interesting.

And the reason I bring it up is that the other night I got a call from an old lady boss I worked for back in 97' and 98' .
It was an Inside Sales job selling Yellow Page Advertising , and she was the manager and I was a Sales person under her tutelage.

Anyway, she had this HUGE affinity for her poodle. She literally treated him like a young child.

I mean carrying him everywhere and buying him $1,000 birthday presents and Christmas presents.


We used to eat together at Lunch during work break.

We got into some playful debates. And in particular about her beloved Snuggles.

She said that there were only a handful of human beings that she would choose over Snuggle's Life.
( and NO I wasn't one of lucky ones chosen lol)


I said " Deb if a 4 year old child was caught on a Rail Road track crying his eyes out with an approaching Train and Snuggles was 10 feet away stuck as well, who would you pick to try to save.

Of course, Deb in her cocky manner said without hesitation she would choose " her Snuggles" no matter what .

She said that this was her child and that is the way she felt. ( She never married or had real children)

Oh well to each his own.

I always thought it as bizarre and would give her a good fun ribbing about it when I got a chance

Anyway, her phone call the night before last reminded me of this, and I was wondering how some of of you thought about it ?
  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I'd save her dog too, over most people I have met.

    However ... if i was broke and hungry ... snuggles would be on the menu
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      When in my early twenties I joined the Save The Seals march in London, they were clubbed to death early in life for the fur.

      I got into it a bit and started spouting about it to my friends.

      So they said, chance to save a seal or a human, which would it be?

      I said with out any hesitation. I would opt for my own species first.
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
        I would save a human first - though I would try my best to save both
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  • Profile picture of the author NickDaley
    I would prefer to save both but it all depends upon once destiny about life and death.
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  • Profile picture of the author peterj
    Well if it were between a total stranger and an animal I had been acquainted with for a number of years the animal would, win. Being a stranger I don't know that they are worth saving.

    Confronted by the reality my choice may be different.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jacqueline Smith
    Like Karen.......I would try and save both.

    If I had to choose one....the child....and my dog would understand and wouldn't want it any other way.

    Actually....I'd save the dog first who would then save the child.
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    • Profile picture of the author positivenegative
      I'd save them both by jumping in front of the train myself, causing it to screech to a halt before it reached them - but mashing me up
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    No contest here. My dogs are priceless to me as your family is to you. My dog comes first. Period. My dogs have saved my life. I will save theirs. Their loyalty gets paid back in kind. The fact they are a dog makes not one bit of difference to me.
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  • Profile picture of the author clintK
    My animals, no contest, I don't like the human species but I have to put up with them while I'm here.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      I have 2 dogs, they're family to me. I'd do the same to someone that hurt them as I would to someone that hurt my own Mother.

      My dogs or a stranger? Sorry, that strangers not going to make it.

      An animal I've never seen and stranger? That's a very different scenario.

      Originally Posted by clintK View Post

      My animals, no contest, I don't like the human species but I have to put up with them while I'm in the OT section..
      Fixed.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        I won't reply with "Save both" since that defeats the purpose of the question even though I'm still not going to yield an answer.

        My instinct would be to reply that I'd save my pet, but if time permitted I'd consider things more logically in relation to age and condition of each.

        That "stranger" could well be a young child with ties to many people...and the pet could hypothetically be on it's last legs with a tie to it's owner, (No mention of Snuggles' age nor condition) and I might find myself dependant upon a stranger to make that same logical decision in favour of someone who is close to me with a wealth of years to live...
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

          I won't reply with "Save both" since that defeats the purpose of the question even though I'm still not going to yield an answer.

          My instinct would be to reply that I'd save my pet, but if time permitted I'd consider things more logically in relation to age and condition of each.

          That "stranger" could well be a young child with ties to many people...and the pet could hypothetically be on it's last legs with a tie only to myself, (No mention of Snuggles' age nor condition) and I might find myself dependant upon a stranger to make that same logical decision in favour of someone who is close to me with a wealth of years to live...
          I completely understand the logic behind that Daniel and I understand why people put the human aspect above animal.

          Trouble is, my dogs, no matter how old, are in my pack. I would sacrifice anyone for my dogs except in the case of close family which to me are very much the same.

          Each to their own of course, it's not an easy question to answer but I simply couldn't sacrifice either of my dogs. I say that mainly from the belief that they'd save my life, in the most dangerous situations, without a single thought for their own welfare.

          Loyalty like that for me would need to met with similar loyalty. This is a case of my dogs, who are not my 'pets' but my brothers, being sacrificed for a total stranger. No human on this Earth who I've never met means more to me than those dogs.
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      • Profile picture of the author clintK
        Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

        I have 2 dogs, they're family to me. I'd do the same to someone that hurt them as I would to someone that hurt my own Mother.

        My dogs or a stranger? Sorry, that strangers not going to make it.

        An animal I've never seen and stranger? That's a very different scenario.



        Fixed.
        Well I actually meant on this earth.
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by clintK View Post

          Well I actually meant on this earth.
          I know chap, I was just saying we're a different sort of human species down here in the OT section.

          Or should that be sub-species?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    I'd save my dogs any day over a stranger and, quite possibly, some people I know. I'd love to be able to say I'd make the expected choice, but it'd just be a lie.

    When I adopt an animal I become responsible for its well-being. The "higher reasoning" would dictate that a human being's life has more value than an animal. To that I say: not to me.


    (This may be why I've never been asked to babysit.)
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I have a dog that I love dearly, but I'd never choose him over another human. A pet over someone's son or daughter? That's something I can't wrap my mind around.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      I have a dog that I love dearly, but I'd never choose him over another human. A pet over someone's son or daughter? That's something I can't wrap my mind around.


      ^^^^^^ Yes, Yes halleluiah..... A million times over with this reply. You made my day
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    I have two dogs that I love dearly. I have four children and 6 and one brewing grandchildren that I love dearly. Sounds like the old "a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy" PeTA argument to me.

    As much as I would grieve for my dog, I would save someone's child first, but I would attempt to save them both. My dogs, do come when called, after all.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      I have an imaginary dog. And I would save it's life over Riffle's.


      Seriously, I think many of us have one answer we think we would choose...and then there is the reality.

      I've had pets that I loved. But in reality, I'd choose the person to live.

      But if we had a family pet....and we knew that nobody would find out what our choice was....I think most of us would choose our pet, over a stranger.

      And then we would just keep quiet about it.


      I think that many things we say hypothetically, we wouldn't really do in reality.

      How many of us would run into a burning building to save a stranger? Many of us would swear that we would do it. And I think we believe we would. But we almost never hear of someone doing this.

      When I hear people say "I'd shoot that guy", when talking about a home invasion, or a person committing a terrible crime.... I don't think most of us have that in them.

      So I take these answers with a grain of salt.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


        How many of us would run into a burning building to save a stranger?
        Is this hypothetical stranger a very attractive female who is both very appreciative and able to keep a secret?
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          My reality is I'd choose my dog. Wouldn't think twice.

          Anyone who knows me well knows if they get into trouble at the same time as my dog....they are on their own.
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          • Profile picture of the author peterj
            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            My reality is I'd choose my dog. Wouldn't think twice.

            Anyone who knows me well knows if they get into trouble at the same time as my dog....they are on their own.
            I find it much harder to bear to see an animal suffering than I do a human unless they are family, then they are equally unbearable.
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Is this hypothetical stranger a very attractive female who is both very appreciative and able to keep a secret?
          In your case, she would have to be.
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


        But if we had a family pet....and we knew that nobody would find out what our choice was....I think most of us would choose our pet, over a stranger.

        And then we would just keep quiet about it.
        Nahh, it's the rare person who can really keep quiet about anything they deem important.

        People like to blab, blab, blab and the more "messed up" it is the
        more they like to blab.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post



        How many of us would run into a burning building to save a stranger? Many of us would swear that we would do it. And I think we believe we would. But we almost never hear of someone doing this.
        What do you mean you almost never hear of people doing this ?? Just the last week here in SA there were 3 incidences where this exact scenario has happened.

        I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt I would. This goes back to past discussions we had about the way some people are hard wired.

        You may not think other people do this because you would not yourself.

        But there are plenty of people who have and do.

        I have gotten the sh!t kicked out of me twice in my Life for helping strangers who were getting the sh!t kicked out of them.

        And guess what ? I'd do it all over again because that is part of my Make Up.

        I think people sometimes can be awful presumptuous about other people and how they would act in a situation based on the fact that it does not align up with their own feelings and actions
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by discrat View Post

          I think people sometimes can be awful presumptuous about other people and how they would act in a situation based on the fact that it does not align up with their own feelings and actions
          You are wrong. You have no idea how I would react. And I have no idea how you would react. I only know how you say you would react.


          I'm only basing this observation on the rarity of these occurrences. Dozens of people will watch a fight, but nobody helps. Crowds watch buildings burn, without lifting a hand. If you don't know the people involved, it's very rare to take action...where there is an element of danger.

          Help a homeless person? Sure. Help someone that has fallen? Absolutely. Help someone you care about? In almost every circumstance.

          But run into a burning building? Almost nobody. If 100 people are standing around..maybe one will take action.....maybe. We never hear the reports of the majority that did nothing.

          This is just an observation.

          Added later; I see the "my dog is my child" thing regularly. It's usually women, and usually they have no children. Again, just an observation that may be wrong.
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          • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            You are wrong. You have no idea how I would react. And I have no idea how you would react. I only know how you say you would react.


            I'm only basing this observation on the rarity of these occurrences. Dozens of people will watch a fight, but nobody helps. Crowds watch buildings burn, without lifting a hand. If you don't know the people involved, it's very rare to take action...where there is an element of danger.

            Help a homeless person? Sure. Help someone that has fallen? Absolutely. Help someone you care about? In almost every circumstance.

            But run into a burning building? Almost nobody. If 100 people are standing around..maybe one will take action.....maybe. We never hear the reports of the majority that did nothing.

            This is just an observation.
            Perhaps an irrelevant comparison to the OP.

            You are addressing the psycological bystander effect of a crowd.

            The OP's question doesn't suggest a crowd, rather an ultimatum of a compulsary decision to act upon one of two options. Even if someone would freeze it's still not an option to do so.
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            • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
              The human always.
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            • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
              Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

              Perhaps an irrelevant comparison to the OP.

              You are addressing the psycological bystander effect of a crowd.

              The OP's question doesn't suggest a crowd, rather an ultimatum of a compulsary decision to act upon one of two options. Even if someone would freeze it's still not an option to do so.
              I agree with everything you just said. But I was really just addressing something discrat said. Sorry for the confusion.

              Originally Posted by discrat View Post

              Almost nobody ?? You mean you ???

              (Oh yea sorry Iam wrong and I do not have any idea how you would react )


              Anyone, can you please enlighten me on this Observation you have ? How many burning buildings have you been around that you have observed this situation where there were 100 people and maybe, just maybe one would act on it ?

              You seem to say stuff like this often , but you have nothing to back up such strong assertions
              I watch the news. I listen to the stories. I read the newspaper. You think we are arguing. We are not. I just gave an observation.
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              • Profile picture of the author Tom B
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                It's an interesting question. I really wouldn't be able to answer it. I think it is one of those things where I don't know what I would do until I was living the scenario.

                With that said, I am a firm believer that no matter if it is a dog or human, it has a right to live.

                I don't see humans as having some ordained right to live above all else. In any case, I am the type of person who would feel awful seeing any person or animal killed.
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              • Profile picture of the author discrat
                Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                I agree with everything you just said. But I was really just addressing something discrat said. Sorry for the confusion.



                I watch the news. I listen to the stories. I read the newspaper. You think we are arguing. We are not. I just gave an observation.
                Well, lets just say that we must be observing things that are different as stated earlier in my observing three incidents around where I live..

                Also, when you say maybe, just maybe 1 out 100 might help. I am sorry that is just a bizarre statement to make to be that specific when you have no conclusive data to support it

                And I am not necessarily saying it is untrue.

                Its NOT an argument but the way you state things using such specificity... well honestly I want to understand how you come up with that number.

                Like I said maybe you could be right.

                But it just fascinates me how you can extrapolate that from watching the news, stories, paper etc..
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                • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
                  Originally Posted by discrat View Post

                  Its not an argument but the way you state things using such specificity... well honestly I want to understand how you come up with that number

                  It just fascinates me.
                  Robert, I think you're taking things too literally. Claude is making an estimate to illustrate rarity from his personal empirical reference. It's just a guestimate.

                  Claude just likes to dress his opinions as facts. Note: he doesn't state them as facts. His statements are much more keenly worded.

                  Would it make more sense if he'd simply said that it's considerably more rare for someone to run into a burning building than to not run into a burning building?
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                  • Profile picture of the author discrat
                    Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post


                    Would it make more sense if he'd simply said that it's considerably more rare for someone to run into a burning building than to not run into a burning building?
                    Bingo !!

                    Maybe I get thrown off track by "the dressing "
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          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


            But run into a burning building? Almost nobody. If 100 people are standing around..maybe one will take action.....maybe. We never hear the reports of the majority that did nothing.

            This is just an observation.

            Added later; I see the "my dog is my child" thing regularly. It's usually women, and usually they have no children. Again, just an observation that may be wrong.
            Almost nobody ?? You mean you ???

            (Oh yea sorry Iam wrong and I do not have any idea how you would react )


            Anyone, can you please enlighten me on this Observation you have ? How many burning buildings have you been around that you have observed this situation where there were 100 people and maybe, just maybe one would act on it ?

            You seem to say stuff like this often , but you have nothing to back up such strong assertions
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            • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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              Originally Posted by discrat View Post

              You seem to say stuff like this often , but you have nothing to back up such strong assertions
              Yeah, Claude. Knock it off. That's my territory!

              Cheers. - Frank
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          • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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            Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

            But run into a burning building? Almost nobody. If 100 people are standing around..maybe one will take action.....maybe. We never hear the reports of the majority that did nothing.

            This is just an observation.

            Added later; I see the "my dog is my child" thing regularly. It's usually women, and usually they have no children. Again, just an observation that may be wrong.
            The question wasn't would you run through a burning building to save a child. It was simply that you could choose one or the other to save from the tracks.

            I've already said that I would choose the child. It's a no brainer to me. But I also know that there is less of a chance that I would run through a burning building to do so. I would have to be able to see a somewhat clear path and feel there was a high chance of success before I would do that.
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            • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
              Originally Posted by sbucciarel View Post

              The question wasn't would you run through a burning building to save a child. It was simply that you could choose one or the other to save from the tracks.
              .
              I know. It was additional commentary after I answered the OP's question.

              Reactions when you are part of a group are different from reactions individually. Nearly all of us (NOT 99% precisely) have a strong herd instinct. And maybe that's where the difference was between what I was talking about, and discrat.
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        • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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          Originally Posted by discrat View Post

          I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt I would.
          Are you by chance related to the guy that said he would have taken his own life rather than be traded for 5 Taliban prisoners in a swap? :-)

          I admire your claim of such unflinching bravery, but you have no idea what you'd actually do if that situation presented itself. What you are doing is expressing what you hope you would do. The same that anyone would hope they would do. Exhibit the 'better angel' within us.

          No one knows what they would do in a given situation until the situation arises. Now, when you tell me and prove to me that you actually have run into a burning building to save someone, I will surrender my point.

          Until then - three words. 'Talk is cheap.'

          Cheers,

          Frank

          P.S. This reminds me of the pact that I made with 4 of my friends that we would all go down and volunteer for Vietnam the first Monday in January of 1966. All I know is that when I looked around at everyone that had their hand raised, being sworn in, I didn't recognize a single other face in the room. lol
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          • Profile picture of the author discrat
            Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

            Are you by chance related to the guy that said he would have taken his own life rather than be traded for 5 Taliban prisoners in a swap? :-)

            I admire your claim of such unflinching bravery, but you have no idea what you'd actually do if that situation presented itself. What you are doing is expressing what you hope you would do. The same that anyone would hope they would do. Exhibit the 'better angel' within us.

            No one knows what they would do in a given situation until the situation arises. Now, when you tell me and prove to me that you actually have run into a burning building to save someone, I will surrender my point.

            Until then - three words. 'Talk is cheap.'

            Cheers,

            Frank

            P.S. This reminds me of the pact that I made with 4 of my friends that we would all go down and volunteer for Vietnam the first Monday in January of 1966. All I know is that when I looked around at everyone that had their hand raised, being sworn in, I didn't recognize a single other face in the room. lol

            Hey Big frank,
            I appreciate what you are saying. But to be honest the proof is in the pudding as stated in several incidences I have been in helping people in grave danger. And some others that I have never discussed

            And I 'm honestly not trying to toot my own horn, either. On the contrary, many family members have always said that I need to worry about self-preservation and get more common sense when dealing with people and events (particularly now with my own family )

            But it is just not in me.

            Probably folly ,but it is what it is
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            • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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              Originally Posted by discrat View Post

              Hey Big frank,
              I appreciate what you are saying. But to be honest the proof is in the pudding as stated in several incidences I have been in helping people in grave danger. And some others that I have never discussed

              And I 'm honestly not trying to toot my own horn, either. On the contrary, many family members have always said that I need to worry about self-preservation and get more common sense when dealing with people and events (particularly now with my own family )

              But it is just not in me.

              Probably folly ,but it is what it is
              Well, then - you're a better than I am. I'm very much into that 'self-preservation' thing.

              With that being said, I do believe that I have reached the point in my life's journey that I realize there isn't much left ahead of me to preserve. I would hope that if the situation ever arose where I had to make the choice, especially if a much younger person were involved, that I would do the right thing - but I can't categorically state that I would. You just don't know until you get there. :-) We're genetically coded for survival as the primary goal.

              Cheers. - Frank
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            • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
              Originally Posted by discrat View Post

              On the contrary, many family members have always said that I need to worry about self-preservation and get more common sense when dealing with people and events (particularly now with my own family )
              Robert, by your own admission, your family members consider you to be unusual in this respect. Why then have a go at Claude for his observation about what most people would do?


              ..
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              • Profile picture of the author discrat
                Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

                Robert, by your own admission, your family members consider you to be unusual in this respect. Why then have a go at Claude for his observation about what most people would do?


                ..
                Not going after anyone. If another person says they have observed something then why is it 'going after someone' when you wish to gain more insight to their observation and how and by what means was it obtained ?
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          • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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            I've been alive a good while. I'm sad to say that during that time I have met very few humanoids that exhibited the love, loyalty or joy that any garden variety mutt would display on its worse day.

            People are very overrated and dogs are as close to perfection as any living creature could possibly be.

            If you saw 60 Minutes on Sunday evening, you probably learned some very surprising facts about our canine friends. None of what I saw surprised me in the least.

            Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
    Depends. In almost every case it would be the person. There are some, though, who I wouldn't save if there was plenty of time and no dog to muddle the options.

    I wouldn't push them in front of the train, but I wouldn't lift a finger to help them, either.


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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

      Depends. In almost every case it would be the person. There are some, though, who I wouldn't save if there was plenty of time and no dog to muddle the options.

      I wouldn't push them in front of the train, but I wouldn't lift a finger to help them, either.


      Paul
      Yeah I might just jump on the Train itself and enjoy the ride if a few of them ISIS fellows was caught in a snarl
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Banned
    What kind of question is this.

    Human.
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    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      What kind of question is this.

      Human.
      Actually, the questioned was originally posed by a dog.

      Cheers. - Frank
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        Actually, the questioned was originally posed by a dog.

        Cheers. - Frank
        Frank I am a little disappointed. I assumed that you thought a little more highly of me
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        • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
          Banned
          Originally Posted by discrat View Post

          Frank I am a little disappointed. I assumed that you thought a little more highly of me
          Now THAT was a good one. lol

          All I can say in response is, it appears as if you are sadly mistaken. :-)

          Cheers. - Frank
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          • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
            I can't help thinking though after reading all the responses, I wouldn't fancy my chances as a pet goldfish.
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            • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
              Q Who would you save, Claude or Dan

              A: Both, if they were together it would be easy because they would always be locked in a steamy embrace
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              • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
                Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

                Q Who would you save, Claude or Dan

                A: Both, if they were together it would be easy because they would always be locked in a steamy embrace
                False! It would be a sweaty embrace.



                Wait. That sounds worse.
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                • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
                  Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

                  False! It would be a sweaty embrace.



                  Wait. That sounds worse.
                  Steam is what you get when the sweat boils.
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                • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                  Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

                  False! It would be a sweaty embrace.



                  Wait. That sounds worse.
                  It would only look like an embrace from a distance. Strangling each other might work up a sweat though.
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              • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
                Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

                Q Who would you save, Claude or Dan
                Hitler....................
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Banned
    Originally Posted by discrat View Post

    And the reason I bring it up is that the other night I got a call from an old lady boss I worked for back in 97' and 98' .
    It was an Inside Sales job selling Yellow Page Advertising , and she was the manager and I was a Sales person under her tutelage.

    Anyway, she had this HUGE affinity for her poodle. She literally treated him like a young child.
    is that me or every phone room has this 40 ish + woman with nowhere else to go that is completely batshit crazy
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I'm trying to understand who put the burning building on the railroad track.

      Sounds like the act of a person trying to prove a point. The dog is innocent - save the dog!!!
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      is that me or every phone room has this 40 ish + woman with nowhere else to go that is completely batshit crazy
      What the hell are you talking about ? lol
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      is that me or every phone room has this 40 ish + woman with nowhere else to go that is completely batshit crazy

      It isn't you. It's federal law that for every 14 people working as a telemarketer, one has to be a lonely 40ish cat lady. And yes, they are batshit crazy. But you know what? Sometimes they are the very best telemarketers.

      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      What I love in this thread is that people aren't calling me a psychopath for my position -
      First of all, you aren't a psychopath. I am. And don't get too used to it. I've read most of your posts.

      Second, for some reason, people who love their pets enough to think of them as real friends...isn't psychopathic. I think it's fairly normal. If you said that you would choose your dog over a stranger....you get little push back (and none from real dog lovers). But if you said the same thing about a cat, I would think you were pretty weird. Dogs are different. At least that's my thought.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


        Second, for some reason, people who love their pets enough to think of them as real friends...isn't psychopathic. I think it's fairly normal.
        Yes, now if you took your dog and hanged it from a tree and slit its throat then we might have a potential psychopath...or at least one in the making,. Actually it is fairly well documented that many famous murderous psychopaths started out at an early age being violently abusive towards pets and animals.
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by socialentry View Post

      is that me or every phone room has this 40 ish + woman with nowhere else to go that is completely batshit crazy
      Okay, okay I did not catch this at first. But after Claude's post, I understand.

      Yes, yes this does fit her to a T , actually

      She was good looking and really out there. She drank 12 ounce of vodka every night (seriously) and smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day back then.

      But man could she sell yellow page advertising over the phone.

      I got pretty proficient at it over the years, but could not quite keep up with this crazy woman
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I don't have to "guess" how I'd act.

    When Blitz and I used to go search for people (there was lottery hunting territory in my backyard - and 13.5 foot mountains, too) I made sure they understood that we'd find them, but I wasn't sacrificing Blitz for them. If they wanted to make sure that person came back if their position was a risk to my dog when we found them, they had to drag their asses with us to complete the rescue themselves. Only once was there any risk....just sayin', people were warned. Actually in that one incident, I was the one who sustained the risk. I had to go over a ledge on a rope. Was not a happy camper and it's the last time I ever attempted to save anyone from anything.

    You have to remember that those of us who are bonded with our dogs actually communicate with them on levels that we communicate with our small sons and daughters - these animals are very real family to us. To ask this question is akin to asking "would you give up a child to save a stranger". Not only would I not do it - I wouldn't expect anyone else to, either.

    What I love in this thread is that people aren't calling me a psychopath for my position - there are many who are actually owning up to having the same inclinations. I've answered this question before in places where I got lambasted for my answer. I was honest, though, despite what they thought. My response to lambasting has also been honest. "If that disturbs you, then watch out for your own ass and don't expect others to save you when you get yourself in a bind."
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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post


      When Blitz and I used to go search for people (there was lottery hunting territory in my backyard - and 13.5 foot mountains, too)
      Shoot that's nothing, I have some foothills in my backyard that are over 25 ft. high
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    My Life Saving Priority List: (in order)

    Pets and family
    Friends
    Strangers
    Hitler
    Claude
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    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      My Life Saving Priority List: (in order)

      Pets and family
      Friends
      Strangers
      Hitler
      Claude
      Now we really know what you think of Dan Riffle
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        Now we really know what you think of Dan Riffle
        Riffle? Now we know what he thinks of Hitler. Heck, Hitler is apparently Kurt's 4th favorite person in the whole world. And I'm the fifth.

        At least I made the top five. Of course, showing up after Hitler, kind of puts a damper on it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kurt
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          Riffle? Now we know what he thinks of Hitler. Heck, Hitler is apparently Kurt's 4th favorite person in the whole world. And I'm the fifth.
          Now we know counting isn't Claude's forte. He can't grasp the concept of groups of people, and also my use of the plural versions.

          For example, I have "strangers" on my list. There's over 7 billion strangers on Earth, all higher on my priority list than Claude. Yet Claude counts "strangers" as one person. I've seen horses that can count better by clomping their hooves.


          At least I made the top five. Of course, showing up after Hitler, kind of puts a damper on it.
          I'm sure Hitler isn't too thrilled having Claude listed just one below him, either.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

            Now we know counting isn't Claude's forte. He can't grasp the concept of groups of people, and also my use of the plural versions.

            For example, I have "strangers" on my list. There's over 7 billion strangers on Earth, all higher on my priority list than Claude. Yet Claude counts "strangers" as one person. I've seen horses that can count better by clomping their hooves.
            Kurt; You say they are strangers. But they are not. There are 7 billion people on this Earth that simply refuse to admit that they know you. They hate you. I was being kind, by only counting them as one person.

            By the way, here is my own list;

            My Wife & Son
            4 or 5 very close friends.
            99.999999% of the people on Earth
            Every dog that hasn't bit me
            Every dog that has bitten me
            My ex-wife
            Hitler
            Ebola
            SARS
            ISIS
            Al Qaeda
            Kurt
            Satan
            Mad Cow
            Swine Flu
            AIDS
            Disco
            Riffle
            Kurt again...I just hate him so much, he gets listed twice, after Hitler

            Right now, I'm so angry, I'm actually making the GRRRRRR sound.
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            • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
              Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

              4 or 5 very close friends.
              Okay, now you're just being silly...
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              • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

                Okay, now you're just being silly...
                Frank!

                I should have included the fact that they were imaginary friends. But I couldn't stop crying, when I realized I was as universally reviled as Kurt.

                My only consolation, is that I'm still more popular than Riffle....as is everyone else.
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                • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
                  Claude,
                  I couldn't stop crying, when I realized I was as universally reviled as Kurt.
                  If it makes you feel any better, I'd save you before most cats. And way ahead of the majority of two-legged wombats.


                  Paul
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                  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
                    Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

                    Now we know counting isn't Claude's forte. He can't grasp the concept of groups of people, and also my use of the plural versions.

                    For example, I have "strangers" on my list. There's over 7 billion strangers on Earth, all higher on my priority list than Claude. Yet Claude counts "strangers" as one person. I've seen horses that can count better by clomping their hooves.
                    Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                    Kurt; You say they are strangers. But they are not. There are 7 billion people on this Earth that simply refuse to admit that they know you. They hate you. I was being kind, by only counting them as one person.
                    Clomp....clomp...clomp...
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                    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
                      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

                      Clomp....clomp...clomp...

                      Kurt; You make the funniest sound when you chew.
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                      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
                        Originally Posted by discrat View Post

                        She said that there were only a handful of human beings that she would choose over Snuggle's Life.
                        ( and NO I wasn't one of lucky ones chosen lol)
                        See, you were lucky you weren't one of the chosen ones, like "Snuggles" you could have ended up with a cutesy nickname like Kissybuns or Huggybear . . . then you'd want to be the one tied to the railroad tracks!

                        As for my answer, I'd save the person first -- unless it was a politician.


                        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                        I'm only basing this observation on the rarity of these occurrences. Dozens of people will watch a fight, but nobody helps.
                        The last time I jumped into a fight not my own it's because one guy was outnumbered 3-1. I didn't know any of them. The bartender grabbed one of them, I grabbed another, and my buddy sat there and watched.

                        I'm the one who got free beer the rest of the night though. In fact, he poured me a lot of free beer after that. Probably helped that I drank tap beer.


                        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

                        I admire your claim of such unflinching bravery, but you have no idea what you'd actually do if that situation presented itself. What you are doing is expressing what you hope you would do.
                        Perhaps, perhaps not. I think it's entirely possible that many do have a pretty good idea of what they'd do because of their previous experiences. For example, when I jumped into that fight I didn't stop to think about it, it was instinctual. I just reacted. Same thing when, walking with a friend as a teen, I pulled him from the path of a drunk driver heading straight for us at a high speed. He froze, I grabbed him and flung him aside. We both were almost hit. The driver crashed into a metal utility pole and knocked it over.

                        It was the same with the fight as with the car, it wasn't a matter of courage because I wasn't afraid. It was just a reaction, there was no time for fear. Those who say they would rush into a burning building may have had similar experiences where they just react, and are able to project that past experience into a new scenario.

                        Would I rush into a burning building? I think it would depend on how much "up in flames" it was. If it was already engulfed in flames at every entry point, I'm pretty sure that would stop me. If there was an entry point and it didn't look like the building was about to collapse, I think I would start in, but if the heat was too intense or the smoke too thick I think reality would set in and I'd turn back.

                        Do I know for sure that's what I'd do? No, of course not, but I think it's a pretty good guess.

                        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

                        Claude just likes to dress his opinions as facts.
                        I thought he liked to dress them in bubble suits?
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                • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                  My only consolation, is that I'm still more popular than Riffle....as is everyone else.
                  Not quite everyone. :-(

                  Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Speaking of horses...

    Q. What kind of horse is a balding Budweiser mascot with a weight problem?

    A. A claudesdale.
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