June 5, 2010

"What Pets Can Teach Us About Marriage."

I will not click on that link no matter how long it lingers on the "Most Popular" list on the NYT website. No no no. I see what they are doing, and I'm interested that so many people are so easily played by that title, but I will not go there. I resist!

UPDATE: Uh oh! Looks like somebody could have used a little NYT advice:
Even the Dog Whisperer couldn't talk, demand or otherwise coax his way out of this one.

Cesar Millan's wife, Ilusion, filed for divorce Friday after 16 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason....

24 comments:

Scott said...

What can pets teach us about marriage? Um, that you can fuck anything that smells good?

AllenS said...

Pets teach us to always smell someones's butt first.

traditionalguy said...

Are Pets similar to Playboy Bunnies?

HT said...

It's actually number 2 now.

Much like this blog does with the NYT fairly constantly, the NYT piece links to another piece.

Excerpt:
Do you greet each other with excitement, overlook each other’s flaws and easily forgive bad behavior? If it’s your pet, the answer is probably yes. But your spouse? Probably not.

In an article on PsychCentral, clinical psychologist Suzanne B. Phillips of Long Island University explores what our relationships with pets can teach us about our relationship with a spouse or romantic partner.

“What is interesting in my work with couples is that although couples may vehemently disagree on most topics, they usually both soften in manner and tone to agree that the dog, cat, bird or horse is great,” Dr. Phillips writes.

She argues that we all have much to learn from the way we love our pets. People often describe pets as undemanding and giving unconditional love, when the reality is that pets require a lot of time and attention, special foods and care. They throw up on rugs, pee in the house and steal food from countertops. Yet we accept their flaws because we love them so much.

Dr. Phillips suggests we can all learn how to improve our human relationships by focusing on how we interact with our pets. Among her suggestions:

Greetings: Even on bad days, we greet our pets with a happy, animated hello, and usually a pat on the head or a hug. Do you greet your spouse that way?

Franklin said...

What are they trying to do? Because stories about pets, marriage, and kids drive traffic?

rhhardin said...

Horses are an accident looking to happen, according to my vet.

Meade said...

Show your spouse affection, loyalty, and enthusiasm. Bring her things you think she might like. Protect her from home invaders. Take her for long romantic walks.

In return she'll be happy for you to go hunting, fishing, running and swimming. She'll give you a warm bed to curl up in and she'll share with you her most intimate thoughts, dreams, and desires.

You lucky dog.

Irene said...

"Wag more, bark less."

Ann Althouse said...

*Pants*

Fred4Pres said...

meade, that was a well stated sentiment. Good boy.

Unknown said...

Noble sentiments, Meade, but your statement, "In return she'll be happy for you to go hunting, fishing, running and swimming", has the caveat she'll expect to go with you.

She will also lick you on the eyelids when you're trying to sleep and soul kiss you when you yawn.

traditionalguy said...

Are Pets similar to Playboy Bunnies?

Raunchier.

Irene said...

"Wag more, bark less."

No, no. Run hard, bark loud.

vanderleun said...

The eunuchs of the Times love pet stories. They reinforce the new Timesian lifestyle that says, "Hey, pets are the new children."

vanderleun said...

"Show your spouse affection, loyalty, and enthusiasm. Bring her things you think she might like. Protect her from home invaders. Take her for long romantic walks."

And don't forget to hump her leg frequently and with conviction.

Fred4Pres said...

And don't forget to hump her leg frequently and with conviction.


That (I am pretty sure) would not work with my wife. It would be especially inappropriate at a party!

I would not go that extra step beyond Meade's recommendations.

chuck b. said...

"I will not click on that link no matter how long it lingers on the "Most Popular" list on the NYT website. No no no."

That is so funny. I've been thinking the exact same thing, for what, a month? How much longer? My resolve is quite firm, but the annoyance I feel at being tested has limits. lc

chuck b. said...

(I have no idea what that "lc" stands for in my last comment.)

amba said...

*Pants*

Shorts

Ann Althouse said...

*Pants*

Shorts

Longs

Meade said...

*Pants*

Shorts

Longs

Sates

rhhardin said...

Thurber says horses feel more at home with flowered shower curtains.

Phil 314 said...

This news doesn't surprise me. I'm a fan of Cesar's show but I was always a little leary about his frequent choice of buxom pet owners. And I never got a good vibe between he and his wife (the few times she showed up.)

Irene said...

Cesar married an Ilusion.

David said...

Cesar! Oh no. This is far worse than Al Gore and Tipper.

David said...

Scott sez:"What can pets teach us about marriage? Um, that you can fuck anything that smells good?"

Response:

1. Crude.
2. Not necessarily relevant to just marriage.
3. Has it backwards (dog-like)