If I were God ...

[bad Chad]

 I'd make pets and children live at least as long as their parents.    And just to be clear when I'm talking pets I'm referring to their human masters as parents !

[Sasquatch Jim]

Nature has already tried this.  At least with humans.  The problem has always been wars, murders, traffic accidents,
 deseases, lightning, drownings, volcanos, suicides, and probably a few other uncontrolled factors that the parents have no way to foresee.
 Dogs on the other hand have the usually good luck living a full life with the same master, which gives them the opportunity to exhibit a lifetime of loyalty.  Cats usually do not care one way or the other, there are some exceptions
 though.

[ohiorider]

I'd make pets and children live at least as long as their parents.    And just to be clear when I'm talking pets I'm referring to their human masters as parents !

In total agreement! 

[Lannis]

WW Jacobs wrote a great story called "The Monkey's Paw" about that sort of wishing .....

Lannis

[ITSec]

I'd bet almost all of us had our first experience at dealing with loss when a pet died. It's an important experience and I think one best learned with the death of a pet, before we have to face the death of a member of our human family.

[wrbix]

I've long considered just this issue, and concluded:

It is better for a dog's human to deal with the loss of his companion, than for a dog to have to deal with the loss of his human.

Saying otherwise is valuing human feeling over canine - will not grant that as acceptable.

[Guzzi Gal]

It is better for a dog's human to deal with the loss of his companion, than for a dog to have to deal with the loss of his human.

A parent should never outlive their child, and a dog should never outlive his person/people. 

[roadscum]

I'd make every day a Saturday, even for those not retired! 

Paul

[trippah]

If you haven't gone through the loss of a pet dog (maybe even a cat) then you have missed a major event - when you realize that when you thought it was all about you, it really wasn't.

[oldbike54]

If you haven't gone through the loss of a pet dog (maybe even a cat) then you have missed a major event - when you realize that when you thought it was all about you, it really wasn't.

 No , it wasn't . In the dog/man dynamic , the dog is the important factor . A good dog can change a person for the better , a bad human can't truly change a good dog .

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

That's all I have to say about that

[Rough Edge racing]

 If I were god there would be no terminally  ill kids....and if I were god I would let every dog and cat owner know these animals are not in there for the long haul and realize  every 10-15 years you'll be crying the blues about a dead companion animal...I would advise them if longevity is important, got for a parrot or a tortoise....Disclai mer, beware of sarcasm...

[yogidozer]

If I were God, I'd have a good answer for all of you. But I'm not, and I don't.
I try to make every day a good one for my companions. They eat first, better than I do, and I've never regretted a moment with them, or anything I've done for them. Truly my best friends.