Animals in the Office
Have you ever noticed a separation, a chasm, between people who love animals and those who think of them as moving lamps? Let’s just call them introverts or extroverts. Or is that too broad a brush?
And it’s possible that those who ignore animals (extroverts) think the animal-focused ones might be a little cray-cray. The New York Times, talking about how views on animal lovers have changed:
The field of psychotherapy has traditionally viewed those whose closest relationships are with animals as somehow lacking, their affections pathologically misplaced, their devotion a symptom of their inability to forge healthy connections with the humans around them.
“There are whole segments of the population that prefer being in the company of dogs than people, and I’m not sure that’s such a negative thing,” said Joel Gavriele-Gold, a
psychoanalyst in private practice in Manhattan and the author of “When Pets Come Between Partners.“
(Could he be any more non-declarative? 🙂 )
Still, when you have a job interview, pets are a great hobby to bring up!
How the APA falls short
Wired has an article about why people love their pets more than people…and has some real stats to prove it.
Two thirds of Americans live with an animal, and according to a 2011 Harris poll, 90 percent of pet owners think of their dogs and cats as members of the family.
While investigating these articles, I came across an opinion I despise, but I link it here because I think both animal lovers and animal indifferents should be aware of it: The APA (American Psychological Association) hurries to advise researchers that testing on animals is still valid, important, and way cool. We all know that’s not true, right? It was written several years ago, so maybe they’ve smartened up by now. (Science? Maybe not.)
In conclusion, let’s give peace a chance. Animal lover, hater, or indifferent, let’s agree that for Halloween, at least, we can all be Strange Creature Lovers.
My personal views? Hello dark (toads), my old friends, I’ve come to talk with you again… (tm Simon & Garfunkel)
Now, who’s going dressed as a witch, a boss, or a toad this Halloween? And are you pro or con animals? Or goblins?
Set painter in studio Art Depts. Member Scriptwriters Network, script analyst.
Author, 2 hardcopy books, Barnes & Noble Calendar.
- Emma in the Night ~ Wendy Walker ~ Thriller - May 11, 2023
- Still Alice (2014) ~ Psychology Movie Review ~ Julianne Moore - January 25, 2023
- The Other Emily ~ Dean Koontz - January 23, 2023
