A beloved pet died in the trailer fire. How can that not be considered a loss of life? Some people think of their pets as family.

Because they are PETS. Having lost both of my parents in a fire, I find remarks like that to be foolish in the extreme. This is life and death, these are people.

I'm sorry about your parents. I lost mine to cancer. All I stated was that to some people pets are their family.

I don't want to be cruel.. but that kind of thought gets people killled. People die every year running into a burning building to save a pet.. pets who are likely to be far more able to escape on their own than their owners. Explain to the family members.. Humans, that is.. Why their ACTUAL human family died. To save a CAT. Seriously??

Laura, might I suggest you click on the "blog on Patch" button, and you can set up and maintain the pet obituaries? Obviously you see a need, so step up and be the solution!

That cat got trapped in a closed room. If it had thumbs it could have opened the door. So how would it have escaped on its own?

Laura, a cat's life and a human's are not equivalent and should not be treated as such, even for a moment. Any other belief is mental illness.

Look.....all I did was express an opinion. I don't appreciate your comments about mental illness.

*sigh* Laura, all I am saying is that placing cats and dogs among lists of human casualties isn't appropriate. As I suggested, if you feel strongly about maintaining the obituaries for pets, it's quite easy to do so here on Patch.. but please, out of respect for people who do die, it simply isn't the same thing. Pets aren't people.

I'm not disrespecting human life. All I mentioned was the life of a pet. I'm done.

Good God Paul, calm down. I am sorry about your parents also. I understand your point, to a point...... I don't think Laura meant any disrespect. Are animals not living things? There was loss of life be it human or animal. Chill out, some therapy may help you Paul.

Simple solution, Paul. Get a dog. And when you fall in love with its unconditional love for you, then come back and tell us that the loss wouldn't be the same.

I too lost a relative in a fire, and his dog died with him. He called him "my kid." There was loss, mourning and pain for both of them. They were both family. They were both cremated and are buried together at the same site.