I'm of two - or more - minds here. On the one hand it takes me aback when someone says to the dog, Come to Mommy or Go to Daddy or whatever. Or when they hold a birthday party for their pets. And I don't do either of those things.

My local pet shelter has a new slogan: "Pets are People too". No. They are not. I have no doubt that if their house was burning down, parents who also happened to have a beloved pet or five, would have no hesitation when it came to which they were going to save first.

However I also realize that often their pet is the most intimate friend in some people's lives and who am I to say how they should treat them?

How about a thread on 'Stupid things parents do'? I have a number of observations on that!