Do you need a dog?

[travelnjones]

I recently had my dog die and its killing me. I don't know if its an INTP thing but with him I was better. He was like an externalized walking element of me, but not me the good potential in me. I am clueless and angry, where he was happy and empathic. He was my joy I could let stupid crap fall out of my mouth and he didn't care or judge me. Not like our fucking Husky!!

I feel like I am worse now that he is gone. Darker, more angry and looking for someone to make it even. I feel like I need to replace him, but know I can't.

This is getting a bit whiny and what I was really asking was do you have this need for an animal as an INTP.

 

[Magus]

Aww sorry for your loss. My family's border-collie died last year, just after I moved out. She was 12.

I'm not sure if its an INTP thing. Lots of people seem to enjoy life more with pets. It might be a company thing for us though. As much as I'd like to believe I don't need to be around other people, being alone for too long messes around with me. Pets perhaps give companionship without all the crap that goes along with interacting with other people.

I'm more of a cat person though. Hope things get better for you

 

[Chad]

Need is a strong would. I don't need a dog but I defiantly want one. I grew up with dogs and some of my fonder memories are playing games with them. Personally I haven't had a dog since I moved out of my parents place.

Since then I have only lived in dorms and apartments so I haven't had the option of getting my own dog. I am looking forward to owning my own place so I can buy a Mastiff.

 

[Duxwing]

I recently had my dog die and its killing me. I don't know if its an INTP thing but with him I was better. He was like an externalized walking element of me, but not me the good potential in me. I am clueless and angry, where he was happy and empathic. He was my joy I could let stupid crap fall out of my mouth and he didn't care or judge me. Not like our fucking Husky!!

I feel like I am worse now that he is gone. Darker, more angry and looking for someone to make it even. I feel like I need to replace him, but know I can't.

This is getting a bit whiny and what I was really asking was do you have this need for an animal as an INTP.

*hug* And you're not "whiny". You just lost something that you deeply loved, and feeling sad and angry is a part of that loss. You're an NT, but you're also a human being: We feel, we hurt, we love. Perhaps writing something like this might help?

A dark headstone rests by the cold-running stream.
'Midst the oak and the alder, see a hot tear agleam.
On a cheek that remembers when its tears poured like rain:
O'er a stalwart companion who did not rise again.​

-Duxwing

 

[Pyropyro]

No we don't need a dog unless the environment calls for it say, a farm as a sheepdog or guard dog.

That aside, I do enjoy their companionship. I believe this fondness transcends types.

I'm sorry for your loss stravelnjones.

 

[Nezaros]

I like cats and dogs but I've never felt any need to keep a pet. Constantly cleaning up after them doesn't sound worth it. It's like having a baby that won't eventually pay your medical bills. What's the point?

 

[Hayyel]

I never had a dog, since my mother forbid us from having one because we live in an apartment and dogs shouldn't be made to live in these little, closed places. I always wanted one, and I think that as soon as I move out of here I will get one (and I think if I will ever have children I will let them have pets too. That is, if I will have enough money to keep them comfortable). I think that a dog would make a very fine companion for me, cause I would not have any problems being emotional or something around it.

 

[DelusiveNinja]

I wouldn't recommend it unless you can accept the pain that comes with its demise. I had a dog 3 years ago but my family voted him out of the house while I was away, ignoring the fact that he was my only true friend. They can be loyal and good company but it can be very painful when they die.

 

[Architect]

No. I grew up with dogs and liked them, I guess, but I certainly wouldn't want one as an adult. I liked cats better. My INTP son is a cat lover too. I'd have one if they didn't shed, plus I hate having to feed them.

But dogs are too high maintenance for INTP's in my estimation. You have to keep taking them out to do their business, and you have pick it up in your hand (with a plastic bag) in most places. Seriously? They are usually emotionally needy too. ISTP's like dogs in my experience. I liked the idea of a dog (or any pet) but not the reality.

But I don't believe these correlations are very strong

 

[nightstreaking]

I recently had my dog die and its killing me. I don't know if its an INTP thing but with him I was better. He was like an externalized walking element of me, but not me the good potential in me. I am clueless and angry, where he was happy and empathic. He was my joy I could let stupid crap fall out of my mouth and he didn't care or judge me. Not like our fucking Husky!!

I feel like I am worse now that he is gone. Darker, more angry and looking for someone to make it even. I feel like I need to replace him, but know I can't.

This is getting a bit whiny and what I was really asking was do you have this need for an animal as an INTP.

Yes.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Do you need a dog?

No.

 

[GodOfOrder]

My family has five of them and a pot bellied pig. With that said, when I am on my own I doubt I will have animals.

 

[QuietFire]

I really want a dog. But I am just worried how I can take care of it properly. I am also afraid that it will die.

 

[redbaron]

It's pretty devastating when pets die. I can understand the feeling of losing a close companion - one that just loves you unconditionally. It's not abnormal for people to be more attached to their pet(s) than even their other family members I don't think, especially when it comes to dogs.

So yeah it's pretty normal to be shattered at the loss of a pet, and that feeling that the pet is (was) irreplaceable is common. It will pass eventually I suppose, and you'll start to feel as though getting a new dog isn't replacing them, so much as finding a new companion.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

I recently had my dog die and its killing me.

It took me three years to get over my grief, when i lost my dog.
He was a good buddy.
Here's a song you can listen to:
http://thefreemansons.bandcamp.com/track/good-dog

I could let stupid crap fall out of my mouth and he didn't care or judge me. Not like our fucking Husky!!

Is your Husky an ill-tempered revanchist?

 

[Brontosaurie]

not an INTP thing

just make it through the withdrawal and start a new dog-clean life

you can't just HAVE pets. and you can't have PETS. you don't do that. that's not how it's done. it's a violation of both decency and parsimony. it preserves the notion of master and slave and it preserves the normative function of biology. everyday, as a dog haver, you're impeding ethical and technological progress.

 

[Lacplesis]

But dogs are too high maintenance for INTP's in my estimation. You have to keep taking them out to do their business, and you have pick it up in your hand (with a plastic bag) in most places. Seriously? They are usually emotionally needy too. ISTP's like dogs in my experience. I liked the idea of a dog (or any pet) but not the reality.

Incomplete. Your opinion of the question is entirely dependent of the fact that you are (obviously) living in a city (not that there is anything wrong with that). What I would like to point out is that having a dog in a countryside is a completely opposite experience. You just let them out, you don't need to go if you don't want to, you don't necessarily have to clean up after them, if they choose their business location wisely. Dog is a rarity among pets, with a potential even to safe a life.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Incomplete. Your opinion of the question is entirely dependent of the fact that you are (obviously) living in a city (not that there is anything wrong with that). What I would like to point out is that having a dog in a countryside is a completely opposite experience. You just let them out, you don't need to go if you don't want to, you don't necessarily have to clean up after them, if they choose their business location wisely. Dog is a rarity among pets, with a potential even to safe a life.

Exactly.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

not an INTP thing

just make it through the withdrawal and start a new dog-clean life

you can't just HAVE pets. and you can't have PETS. you don't do that. that's not how it's done. it's a violation of both decency and parsimony. it preserves the notion of master and slave and it preserves the normative function of biology. everyday, as a dog haver, you're impeding ethical and technological progress.

Following that logic, i guess you also see it inadequate for an INTP to have kids.
Right?

 

[Brontosaurie]

Following that logic, i guess you also see it inadequate for an INTP to have kids.
Right?

no cause those will surpass me in intelligence whereas dogs plateau on a much lower level, incapable of computing anything beyond basic needs and social hierarchy.

a pet can't be equal to its master. and a dog can't be self-aware.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

no cause those will surpass me in intelligence whereas dogs plateau on a much lower level, incapable of anything but basic needs and hierarchy.

But wouldn't the first few years,
let's say up to 3, be centered around those basic needs as well?
And what is with developmentally challenged children?

 

[Brontosaurie]

But wouldn't the first few years,
let's say up to 3, be centered around those basic needs as well?
And what is with developmentally challenged children?

you will have to treat the infant as a carrier or parcel. there's some valuable information inside it that you want intact.

then there's an entire person, it just hasn't learned things yet. you treat it with respect and trust. it flourishes.

i believe human parenting doesn't need to be a master and slave relationship.

about the developmentally challenged: i think it should be kept, in order to promote species solidarity.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

you will have to treat the infant as a carrier or parcel. there's some valuable information inside it that you want intact.

then there's an entire person, it just hasn't learned things yet. you treat it with respect and trust. it flourishes.

i believe human parenting doesn't need to be a master and slave relationship.

I partially agree with what you are saying.
Yes, the master slave relationship is not necessary with children,
so it is with animals. After all, humans are only animals.
And for me an animal has a soul as well.
But that's just my animistic believe.

 

[Reluctantly]

I like dogs, but cats are less maintenance. With cats, you don't have to walk them so they can do their business (and pick it up and carry it in a bag as Architect mentioned). You just gotta feed 'em and change the litter box every day or two and clean up the occasional hair-ball.

The downside to having animals is that you can't really leave for too long or they start going crazy. And kennels are like animal prisons. I guess if you can trust someone to live in your house and take care of the animals, then it's fine, but then you aren't sure they are getting any love and attention.

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

And kennels are like animal prisons.

Some kennels are better than others.
I once knew a girl who worked there and it was a very fulfilling job for her
and i am very sure the animals had a good time.

Ya, it depends on the personality of the staff.

But who would start a business in this field with the intention of maltreating his/her fosterlings?

 

[Turniphead]

Too much work, too much random annoyances.

Cat's are much preferred, but also often more work than benefit.