Jews and Pets | In Conversation with Naomi Seidman 

I’m a Jewish chaplain and witness the spiritual connection between my patients and their pets. I honor this special bond by making myself available to accompany pet owners to the vet clinic after they’ve made the difficult decision to end their pet’s suffering. I ensure their pet has a dignified passing. I continue supporting bereaved pet owners in the following weeks and months with visitations to chat about their happy memories of their pets.

I never grew up with a dog, let alone owning a dog. When my son asked me can I have a dog. I always said NO, until he was 23 years old still living with us. My wife was the one who convinced me. He's old enough just say YES. So, I finally did say YES. I gave him the speech of responsibility, until I was blue in my face. At the end of the day it became my responsibility. He left the house and the dog remained with me. The dog name is Sweetie. She's so lovable and so attached to me. The word dog in Hebrew is Ka-Lev. In the word Ka-Lev there's another word Lev which means heart. Dogs are all HEART ❤.

I’m not Jewish, but I grew up in a neighborhood in Toronto that was about half Jewish. But I never particularly noticed that my Jewish friends didn’t have dogs as pets. We didn’t because my sister was allergic. However, I’ve heard Holocaust survivors and their families speak of being tormented by soldiers with dogs. I’m sure that terrible experience would easily be transmitted to their children.

I'm so sorry about the loss of Snoopy. 💔💔 Naomi was right that pets give us an outlet for the kind of love that would be too much for another human, and in return they give us an unconditional love that few humans can muster. May we all merit to see them again one day. 💜💜

Frieda! It took me awhile to get to this video. I didn't realize that your Snoopy had passed. I'm so sorry. I remember in one of your interviews you had said that he needed an operation. It is so painful to lose a beloved member of your family. We had a dog pass years ago and the pain of losing her is not something you easily forget. My thoughts are with you and your lovely son. I enjoyed your discussion with Naomi. Thank you for all you do to bring wonderful content to us!

This is my favorite of all your videos! My condolences about Snoopy. I was never a dog person until I had my own dog and now I have a totally different view. Dogs have a huge impact on us because of their tremendous emotional intelligence and power to love unconditionally.

Dear Naomi, this was such an interesting conversation. I grew up in the Christian Faith. Our family always had dogs. My mother was the dog whisperer. So many of her dogs were rescued. This was in the 1960 and 1970. My husband and I always had dogs, cats and birds as pets. Most were rescued. When our daughter,Emily, was in High School her best friend was a Muslim. Yasmin spent a lot of time at our house. The usual teenager sleepovers and such. Initially Yasmin was very uncomfortable with our ‘Pet Zoo’. Yasmin and I talked about it because I wanted her to feel welcomed in our home. She told me that her faith consisted all animals unclean and should not live in the house. Over 4 years of high school Yasmin became very comfortable with our pets and came to enjoy them. So interesting how faith and culture form our relationship with Gods creatures.

I feel like the Hebrew name for Dog says it all. Kelev. "like a heart" ❤

Im so sorry for your loss, Freida. I recently went through something similar with my dog. Don't beat yourself up as you mentioned it's fate. Snoopy will send you a special pup when you're ready to bring another one home.

Thank you so much for all of your content and especially this episode. I am Christian and just love learning so much about Judaism and the Orthodox Community.

Frieda and Naomi the time sped by so quickly listening to you both. Frieda, when the memoriam you added for your dear Snoopy started I could hardly believe an hour had passed! I always jump right into any video posted on this channel. You’re both such intelligent, spirited, women, and it’s a pleasure you share so much with all of us. I’m grateful for all of it!

Your mother was kind about the situation in order to be kind to you! She may not love dogs as you do, but she understands that YOU loved your dog, and how much you love your dog! Compassion and empathy! I found this fascinating! My husband (who is FFB), is a vet, and we own an animal hospital. I wish I had tuned in earlier so we could have commented live! 20+ years of being the community vet, we could tell stories about Jews and dogs! Until the cows come home!! 😆 From our Shtar Mechirah, to the contract all Jews sign when they get their pets fixed, to sadly, putting them to sleep, my husband's relationship with everyone's pet starts at the beginning when they come together as a family, and goes until the end...and many start all over again!

This was wonderful Frieda! I grew up in Boro Park in a secular home, although my father attended an orthodox temple. As a child I wanted to adopt all the street cats I saw. My parents never gave me a reason why it wasn’t possible. By the time I turned 14, they weakened and bought me a French poodle, Gigi. Prior to this I learned Jews did not have dogs because of WW2 and the use of German shepherds in the concentration camps. But somehow they listened to me! I have had several cats and dogs in my life since then. It is such a special relationship filled with unconditional love. I am sorry for the loss of your beloved dog Snoopy. My last cat was also named Snoopy! My last and final pet was a dog named Ollie who passed away almost one year ago. He was my hero. In 2016 a terrorist set a bomb on my block in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC. My dog demanded we walk 1/2 hour earlier than usual. By the time we got back in the apartment the bomb went off 5 doors away! It injured 31 people. I grieve his loss. Thank you for sharing this video.❤️

I’m out of town and my cat is at home…this pulled at my heart strings! I love my pets so deeply and they have this unconditional love towards you that is almost impossible to get from other humans. So sorry for the loss of your pup, please take care.

Another beautiful video. Great interview, I learn so much from you. I am so sorry for the loss of your precious fur child. We love them soooooo much!

Such an interesting topic.😃 I love, that you make videos about everyday themes and show the world of the Chassidim (and ex chassidim) from different angles. And I really enjoy, that you portray a more nuanced picture.

Contrary to what some believe, dogs are very good with babies. Very protective and tolerant of children's carelessness.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog Snoopy. I'm more of a cat person but I know how hard it is to lose a companion animal. I thought it was sweet how your mother related to you with the story about the bird.

I’m so sorry to hear about your special pup Snoopy. Fur babies are indeed special. Growing up I had a mutt (he came named Princey, but we added Kippur because he was promised to us on Yom Kippur. We adopted him from the Jewish Humane Society, which, at that time was located in Brooklyn. That was 40ish years ago. I understand your love for your yiddisha fur baby. You are such a wonderful, down to earth lady. Keep your videos coming. I have learned so much.

Thank you both so much. I enjoyed this video and learned so much.

Frieda, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Snoopy. 💔. My big boy, Jack, died last Sept. 10 year old Great Dane. Truly broke my heart. My dogs are like wise toddlers..lol. I have big dogs which means shorter lifespans My two remaining pups are 9 and 10, a Mastiff and an Irish Wolfhound. I dread the coming years when they will leave me but it also helps me not take them for granted. This was a wonderful video. I had actually wondered why we never saw any dogs when you walked us around the neighborhoods. You are the best !!!♥️

I learn something every time I watch your videos! Thank you!

Oh no Snoopy. I’m so sorry to hear this Frieda. I’ve seen him in some of your videos. It’s so so hard when they go. 😢 Sending love & Hugs 🤗

So interesting! Thank you for exploring this topic.

Very interesting and touching conversation! Thank you 🙏

I love your conversations with Naomi!

My dogs are my helpers, healers, and therapy! I have 3 cairn terriers and a mini aussie and I love them so so so much! I have had dogs in the past who completely broke my heart when they passed. I am so sorry for the loss of your special Snoopy. His love will be with you forever ❤

I’m sorry to hear about Snoopy. They are like fuzzy members of the family. I never thought about the Jewish aversion to dogs until I saw your video. It made me realize there were no dogs or cats in my childhood in Brooklyn in the ‘60s except for me. That is until my mother passed away, my father remarried, then my dog was gone. I think in my case, losing my dog wasn’t due to psychological lessons on my step-mother’s part as much as it was due to perceived schmutz.

Hi Frieda, I started watching your videos a few months ago and then realized I used to read your blog a long long time ago! I remember you did cartoons, one I thought a lot about over the years was about how you only learned what being hot was when you went bike riding or something. I am very happy I re-found you! I am an Orthodox convert, and I get repeat questions at the Shabbos table a lot. One that Frum people love to ask me, is what is better as a non-Jew. I think most people are expecting me to say bacon but no, my 3 things are 1) showing up on time for things, 2) brushing my teeth 7 days a week, and 3) PET OWNERSHIP. I am sorry to hear about the loss of Snoopy. Losing pets is HARD. I often think about the loneliness of grieving the loss of a pet, even in the secular world, in contrast to the communal mourning of the Jewish world. I maybe missed a mention of it in the video, but I always hear frum people talk about their disgust with the real or perceived dirtiness of animals. ❝The dog makes on the ground and then they (goyim) just let it back in the house!!❝. At one point I was told I needed to get rid of my cat or I wouldn't get a shidduch. (The cat stayed) -Rachel

Naomi, your description of the bond between species was so perfect. My chihuahua lived until 16 and passed away 21 years ago. Your little one looks like a chihuahua mix. I still cry when I think about him. What you said about rescuing the and now you couldn't anymore...that is what always haunts me although I knew his time had come. This was such an interesting and informative video. Condolences to you, Frieda. I know the pain. Nobody can understand until it happens to them...and some people, even if they have a dog, never feel the affinity that both of you have with the dog. Whoever create us created them, just in a different form but with the ability to feel the same emotions. Thank you for posting this. It's good to see people who understand and echo exactly what I feel.

My deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved friend. I've known your pain several times. My dog Billy was a snow-white Maltese/Bichon mix who passed away 5 years ago. I have never cried so hard in all my 59 years. Heaving, wretching sobbing. So hard I couldn't breathe. Burst blood vessels in my eyes. I shocked myself with that traumatic experience. To me, a dog's love is very pure. They're very devoted creatures if you love them. Walk in the door and his tail was wagging so hard it created a breeze. My wife is nowhere near that happy to see me. That day I swore I'd never own another dog and have to go through that again. Three days I bought a puppy, and named her Bella Grace. Because she is Bella and Grace. The house was so empty, I had to fill it again. So, I know what's coming, sobbing and bleeding eyes. That's love.

Freida my deepest condolences 😢 I feel your pain as I also lost my dear Zoe in December 23. Such a special relationship. May you feel comfort that you were such a wonderful friend to Snoopy.

Life without the comfort of pets, especially dogs, is sad. They add so much to your life. I hope you get another friend.

This was so beautiful. Thank you so much.

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. Pets can leave such large holes in the heart when they pass away. That was such a dear memoriam to Snoopy at the end, looking wise in his various coverings. Especially loved the video when he sees you on the street - "There's my person!" - and rushes to meet you 💖💕 I'm glad Naomi had the consolation of knowing/hoping her first dog found support with her neighbours when she had to leave. We didnt have a dog until i was in my late 20s, living in the county in Ontario. Some friends had to go to the States for a year and gave us Savannah, a border collie. And Savannah made it her work to train us in how to have a dog properly - crazy girl. Like Snoopy, she was that beautiful tuxedo black and white.

I live in a very Hasidic neighborhood in Chicago and the kids are usually terrified when dogs walk by. Every so often a child is brave enough to ask if he bites or if they can pet our dog. We try to support animal interaction, but moms also seem scared and obviously we should respect a parent’s protection of their children. We thought it might be instilled in kids even those who liked dogs couldn’t interact with them. We cross the street when we know certain kids are scared. Thanks for this insight.

Oh I love this episode! Such an intelligent conversation with heart. Naomi's research is fascinating. I will look her up. And I always love how you ask these daring questions and handle them so diplomatically. My heart goes out to you at this time of losing Snoopy. I was raised with a Snooky and she inspired my lifelong love of dogs.

Thanks so much for this upload! I really enjoyed it. Not being raised religious I have always had dogs, and I love them so! I lost my almost 15 year old Labrador in 2021 and it absolutely broke my heart. I was distraught. I am not sure if I will have another dog as I have Multiple Sclerosis, and I am quite physically weak. My carer brings her dogs to see me every week, and I enjoy that very much. 🙂

Thanks! In memory of Snoopy and all loved pets!

What a moving interview!!!! The dog was rehabilitated with the love of your guest. So beautiful. Oh my heart.

Fascinating conversation! Thank you so much for posting! ❤️

52:00 You were talking about babies and children raising their siblings... We had a dog that was hyper protective of babies. Any baby. Visitors, friends, any time there was a baby, he would lay in front of the baby and not let anyone but its mother near. No one. He even did this when we had our youngest sister. He wouldn't let us kids or even our father near her as an infant unless our Mother was in the room and gave the dog her ok. He understood motherhood on an instinctive level. And he understood the fragility of babies and how older children can be rough with them. It was super cute!!!

My Bubba came from a Chasidish area in a Carpathians (Hungry) in the rural area and they had even a barn. She loved dogs! She said that the owned them.But I had other relatives who had such a negative attitude. Growing up in the US,me and my sister had dogs and cats. You should get a Rov on to tell us if they have Olam HaBah. I have a cat named "Noshie".So sorry about Snoopy.

This was such a lovely discussion. My three cats watched with me. ❤

Loved this video ❤ thank you both so much.

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear pup! They are love! ☮️💜💜☮️

Very interessting topic! I never thought about that before :) I hope you make a video about hasidic music in the future! I'm shure theres alot to it that secular people miss.

Thank you ladies. Informative and touching. I love my Beagles.

I’m so so sorry about snoopy, they are part of the family. My deepest and warmest thoughts are with you ❤

This was a really beautiful video and as someone whose family converted from their Judaism, and I've come back to Judaism many years later -- I'm not the only person in my family who is afraid of dogs but It's something that myself, my mother, and my grandmother all seem to have had passed down from woman to woman. As someone who wants to reconnect with the jewishness I "lost" I really appreciate your channel. Thank you.

I was lucky enough to have a Canaan dog. I am not Jewish. She was such a great girl. I lost her 21/2 years ago. I understand your grief. We moved shortly after that to a new house. She is still with us as I still find her fur here and there. We waited about 6 months and then adopted a little boy from the Humane Society. We are probably too old, but we love him completely. Our kids are committed to take him and take care of him if we can’t. I still grieve our Izzie ( the Canaan dog). Snoopy will always be in your heart! I hope you will be able to give some other dog a loving home when you are ready.

Naomi can we have more episodes of heredic in the house 😊

I have been blessed with many fur babies of both cat and dog persuasion. They are hard to compare. The rottweiler festival dance when i come home, the dinner dance, the squeeky toy delerium. The english shepherd who got me thru my teen years, defended me from strangers, parents, and charging horses. This country girl loved her dog. A year and a half ago I lost my Isabella suddenly. And there is a gap. She was my constant for 17 years. One congenial long haired black cat. She was one creature who just loved me. She would cuddle in my arms in front of the keyboard for hours. She guarded my head at night, and soothed my heart. I miss her. I am glad she didn't suffer, but i still miss her. I go looking thru shelter picks to no avail. The cat delivery system will have to kick in.

I was 1 of 5...my dad always said it didn't take any more time or money from 1 to 5...both took all your time and money! But the more you had, the more playmates each child had!!!

My dog's name was Mozal for 13 year's we loved each other.

I always find the best way to get a dog to calm down with its barking is to say hi. Only one dog on my street doesn't do that, but I don't think that one is very socialised (they are Always outside, thankfully we don't get snow or anything like that where I live). I know Snoopy wishes you all the best and was so happy to be your friend.

I'm so sorry about Snoopy. Thank you so much for being willing to talk to us even in this time of grief. I find the demon Baladan in the Zohar very interesting (he is described as a dog with the face of a dog). As for Freud’s dog, IDK I feel like therapy + dog would be twice as effective as therapy - dog.

I'm so glad u did a piece on this because I've been so curious I can understand people from concentration camps being scared of dogs...but I always thought it was odd that a religion which features so many shepherds was against dogs

The OU website says: "Jewish law does not prohibit keeping pets, and indeed many observant Jews have dogs, cats, or other household pets."

This topic is fascinating!!

I was born in the old country (former NE Hungary, then Czechoslovakia, now SW-most Ukraine; 30 miles from Satmar city), raised kinda Orthodox in Israel (the account name is fictitious), and I fear dogs to this day. My grandparents, however, who were extremely Orthodox, owned two dogs over the years, back there. The smaller one was allowed inside and my mother played with it when she was little. The latter, a big guard dog, was chained outside, but we all loved him very much. I should note that the Jews of that region weren't typical in regards to their occupational patterns. Many were either artisans or farmers, not merchants.

This might be missed because I just found this channel, but I would like to suggest you move your notes/definitions/comments to the top portion of the screen. I usually listen with the CC at the bottom. When CC play your notes cannot be seen. I was frustrated because I didn’t know that you’d placed the explanations of the acronyms or Jewish terms at the bottom. I hope you see this. Also I appreciate how you’re educating people on Jewish topics. Thank you.

We all come from the same source and return there...🌈🐶❤

Fantastic presentation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful content as per always, Frieda! 💗 But most of us are considered “impure” ritually - and it is what it is but not the issue as we don’t have a temple. Cats are spiritually special for their modesty in covering after themselves and from a utilitarian perspective as well. Plus, there is much to read about how our half-brothers consider cats and Muhammad. I find it important seeing that Muslims are also non-idolaters and of Abraham. But the first thing is that man was created to protect Eden, and if a dog is to help protect Eden (even the personal Eden of one’s home), the dog is helping with why the person was created in the first place by helping to protect the home. Also, man is uniquely able to - even more so than the angels at the time of Adam’s creation - get to know and name the animals. And it is the first mitzvah to be seen to completion - and at G-d's direction - before anything went awry. Man should want to get to know and care about an animal who was selectively bred to serve man and now relies on man. What an act of stewardship of this world to save a shelter dog, to fix a human-created problem. I think dogs can be special but it takes certain circumstances either to save them or for them to save people or both. And that is too complicated to determine on a case-by-case basis beyond here is a need that fits these mitzvot, and here I am to help, and somewhere in this is at least one continuous mitzvah.

JUST A DOG One might not understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog". Perhaps that notion is also reflected in a belief that there is "just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise". Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog". Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog". Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog". In days of darkness, I was given comfort and reason to overcome by the gentle touch of "just a dog" . The very essence of friendship and trust is brought into my life by "just a dog". The compassion and patience that makes me a better person is brought out by "just a dog". I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future because of "just a dog". Pure joy of the moment is embodied by "just a dog". I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man" or "just a woman".

I once saw a y oung fruma run out of her house to save her dog from running onto the main road. Being a Goy myself, a Christian, I was amazed that here in the heym, frummies actually had and loved dogs like the rest of us. By the by, I was told by a Jewish friend that the reason for 'Jewish aversion to dogs' derived from the Eastern European (Shtetl) experience of wild/feral (rabied) dogs which was a general phenomenon amongst people of that time in continental Europe.

So sorry about Snoopy, I've had lots of pets and it is heartbreaking when they die. I had one cat 20 + years and when he died, I laid on the couch and cried for a week. Just to let you know I have watched Naomi's podcast its interesting.

I was so sad my little one told me recently that he was afraid of a dog he saw. I realized that in the hectic mess of day to day life I forgot to expose him. When my older ones were little we used to pet every dog that passed. And to this day they love all kinds of animals. Also thanks for bringing back Naomi! She’s got amazing energy.

My deepest condolences to you. Baruch Dayan ha Emet!

11:00 The book she described here sounds so interesting!!! I want to read this! The idea that we inherit trauma before and beyond language. The feeling, touch, hearing, etc., associated with anxieties and fears... as we develop even from infancy. This makes So much sense. What is the title? And is there an English translation?

I'm chasidsh and i have chickens ducks and goats.all the kids in the neighborhood love visiting our animals though they're all kosher animals I personally am not afraid of any dogs or cats and so are some of my kids

Im sorry to hear Snoopy has passed ❤

Ohh. I love this video. I’m rather out of sync, timewise…but Frieda, I’m so sorry about Snoopy. He looks lovely. ❤ I’d love to have a dog but I work in a hospital, so I’d have to leave them all day and I’m not sure I’d get away with smuggling one to work. Haha. My sister has a dog though and he’s very much part of the family. My parents are obsessed with him. To the point that my mother has stopped asking about grandchildren, so he’s got my sister and I off the hook there. 🤣 Dogs, well pets in general, are so special. I really enjoy your conversations with Naomi. She’s brilliant. 😊

I know for a fact that Rabbi Pinchas Weberman,Sheyichyeh of Miami Beach the brother of Rabbi Meir Weberman,A"H the late rov of the Malochim in Williamsburg both has 2 rottweilers & also packs heat under his lange reckel this is a known fact

Condolences for Snoopy. I did notice that many of my Ashkanzi peers did not have dogs but i never questioned. I just assumed it was due to lack of time and responsibility, theh were always working. Now its deeper than that.

In a recent video the other person mentioned you wrote a memoir. Amazon does not have it only a $52.00 book the new leaf and a podcast. Where can we buy your memoir?

My Bubbe, who escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe and lived with us, totally freaked out when my dad brought home a kitten for me when I was a little girl. She would curse at the cat in Yiddish. But within a month, we could catch her sneaking the cat pieces of chicken and brisket. Eventually, she and the cat would hang out together and watch tv. She still cursed at the cat in Yiddish but she loved the cat all the same :)

I love your show. Especially re dogs❤

כלב = כולו לב The Hebrew word for dog can be read as completely heart. It's pure feeling. It's too intense. As humans we must be balanced. It's easy to fall in love with something that it fully heart.

Yesterday, I learned from a video short, that dogs can pick up video and that there are videos MADE FOR DOGS with the colors that dogs can see. Who knew?

Thanks!

I enjoyed the interview Frieda, but wished that you had made known to your viewers the Hebrew word for dog, and had made the connection that when Adam was asked to name the animals in the Garden of Eden, he named the dog "kelev". Keh meaning "like" (as in "this is like that") and "lev" as in "heart". Adam recognized that the dog was "like heart". The word love comes from the word lev, as does the Yiddish "libe". What we all desire in our personal relationship with others is an open heart coupled with loyalty, and this is what a dog embodies.

Aawww, the rescued dog felt loved and had purpose as a beautiful pet that teaches us if we are an open pupil. My male cat has intense eye contact as well, my female has a mind of her own. No more after this…❤

I'm so sorry about your snoopy.😢❤

My frum father had two dogs in Poland

Animal’s ability to heal trauma is amazing. Dogs and horses esp.

Frieda, I had noticed that among my Jewish friends, both from music and from business, there are far fewer pets than with the Gentiles. In my current neighborhood, ALL of the Christian families have pets and NONE of the Jewish families have any pets! This is so different to me, as we have always had animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles and even horses as pets. I had guessed that it must be a cultural thing, but had never asked anyone, as I did not wish to offend. You have now explained this to me. Thank you./Warren p.s. we have an old, female very sweet golden retriever, “Molly.” The very nice Jewish woman who lives across the street literally RUNS back into her house when she sees Molly leave our house into the yard. This seems unfortunate, as there is no reason to be afraid of Molly.

I converted to judaism nd i tought i had to leave my cat and felt bad cause I knew that pets were like not very accepted it got me sad but left so much already I just could not give my cat away I dont have a child and I want one my cat dosent replace it as some may think, but i do love my cat thank you for the video sorry about Snoopy i think i have seen your cat in another video it made me feel much better

I have a BA in Religious Studies, and have studied extensively. There are no commandments or precepts against having any type of pets. Further, there are animals in heaven. Animals are said to have a nephish (soul) in the Torah. Hashem intends us to be free in the beliefs we allow into our lives and free in our faith.

Sorry for your loss ....😢

Vanessa is such a cute little dog!

Sweet, Snoopy was so cute!

Frieda, Im not Jewish but I follow many Orthodox and Conservative Jews for their food. (don't judge me, I do it out of love of their culture and how the recipes came to be) I noticed that many Sephardic Jewish people have dogs. Do you notice a different thought process between different groups? May Snoopy spend his day days running and playing with all of our past furry friends across the Rainbow Bridge.

That's so interesting that hasidic jews dont have pets, if im being honest it makes me a bit sad. I think pets are so good for kids. Ive had pets my entire life and i cant imagine my life without a dog.

50:46 I grew up in a large family, and we older siblings took care of the younger siblings to a great extent. We also provided one another with attention. A single child requires a great deal, but put a couple kids together and they'll entertain one another for hours. My mother also had certain health problems which sort of put a bigger burden on the older siblings, but that provided us with learning, experience, compassion, responsibility, etc.

Interesting tale about Freud.

Pets can be so good and important friends...

I worked in a Jewish care home for years and took care of a woman who spent time in the camps; she had two beloved decrepit dachshunds that would nip at just about everyone but her. She could never bring her dogs to the vet herself, however, as larger breeds of dogs would cause her to have a severe panic attack.

That was a very interesting topic thank you! I’m sorry you have lost your dog. I heard from different rabbis that it is okay to own a dog as a jew when the dog has a task to fulfill, like guarding herds of animals or guarding the house and the court. They declared owning a dog only as a pet, the dogs nature is to give love but also to take a lot of love and time and it would be wiser to use this energy and time for doing mizvahs in favour of fellow jews and use time in a wise way. I am not jewish but have jewish ancestors and i love dogs, i had two of them during my lifetime and when this Rabbis spoke like this about having dog, i got very upset at first. But as longer i‘ve been thinking about their words, I have to say that i can understand their opinion from their point of view.