What bothered me was the dismissal of one of the most import relationships in my life. I would never say another person did not have the feelings they have so why can I not feel my pet is my kid.
In my life they are closer to me than most of my blood relatives. I would toss myself in front of a car to save them.
Now part of this just enraged me and then I realized fuck it. I don't have to justify my heart and how it works to anyone. So my pets are my kids and that is just the way it is. I also realized the ill health of my 15yr old cat may have something to do with why this hit me so hard but really does it matter.
In any case here is a photo of my other 15yr old cats handy work with the powdered sugar this morning.