Puppy Love

Fifth of adults choose pet over partner on Valentine's Day poll
Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Rather than spending Valentine's Day with their partner, one fifth of adults would prefer to be with their pet, although the French still came top for romance, according to a joint global poll by Reuters/Ipsos.

The survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries found 21 percent of adults would rather spend February 14 with their pet than their spouse, although the French were least likely to choose a furry friend over a human with only 10 percent taking that option.

But the survey found that age and income were more of a determining factor than nationality when it came to romance, with younger, less affluent people more likely to choose their pet as their Valentine's Day companion.

John Wright, senior vice president of Ipsos, said 25 percent of people aged under 35 opted for their pet over their partner compared to 18 percent of those aged 35-54 and 14 percent of people aged 55 plus.

Men and women were evenly split over the question.

Those choosing pets over people were also more likely to be those who have a lower income (24 percent) compared to those who were middle or higher income earners (20 percent).

"Likely defying stereotype, the desire to spurn a partner for a pet is not rooted in gender but rather age and even there it seems the older you are, the least likely it is you'd choose pet over partner," said Wright.

"While there are country differences, it's more of a personal choice made by younger and less affluent individuals."

On a country-by-country basis, residents of Turkey were the most likely, at 49 percent, to choose their pet over their spouse or partner.

Next came India with 41 percent, then Japan with 30 percent, China with 29 percent, the United States with 27 percent and Australia with 25 percent.

With pet worship spinning out of control in this country and world I wasn't the least bit surprised to see the results of this poll. Of course it doesn't anger me that much either. At least not as much as people taking their dogs in stores and in the car. It makes sense that people who have been burned in relationships and have yet to find a partner would turn to a reliable source of affection. Pets are always there for you, mostly because they have no other option and you provide food. It's a shame humans are more easily captured. Muff the Cat certainly never cheated on me but I don't really want to share a romantic evening with that mangy creature.

P.S. - I was abit surprised the Asian nations finished so high in the poll. I thought they ate dogs there.