As a millennial, I am curious to know if this is a generational trend or if I’m just now becoming aware of something that has been going on forever.

It’s frustrating when you lose a friendship because they have to stay at home to take care of their pet. Or they can’t go on a trip because it’s too expensive to pay for someone to watch their cat/dog. Then they proceed to post Snapchat and Instagram photos with their pet with captions like, “The only one who really gets me.” Or “Can’t believe my first born turns 3 today.”

We live in a society that needs to be more social and I feel that people use pets as a crutch to not go out and hang with an old friend for a drink or take weekend trips with buddies. Don’t get me wrong, I love animals as much as the next person. But don’t get a pet if you can’t sustain your friendships/social life as well.