Brian Laird on WNYc,

Atlantic Staff writer Catherine Wood. Brian Lear on WNC.

Atlantic Staff writer Catherine Wu normally writes about science. She's been on this show a number of times over the last few years to talk about

COVID, for example.

Today, though, we'll speak with Catherine about something much different. The bonds between people and their

pets, the topic of a recent piece of hers in the Atlantic and will dwell on

one relevant question, is your pet your family?

And to take it even further, is your pet your child?

Catherine writes, quote, the bonds, humans forge with animals can feel as strong as the ones we make with each other.

The question is how much validation those relationships should get.

So Catherine Moooo joins me now.

Hi, Catherine, welcome back to WNYC.

Hi, always good to be here.

And listeners, where do you stand on the question?

Are you a pet parent?

And you can tell any story.

212 433, WNYC 433, 962, call or text. Why do you raise the question about how much validation those

relationships should get? Shouldn't a pet be considered a member of the family and

get maximum validation?

You know, I admit that the genesis of this piece

was maybe a little more selfish

than the genesis of some of my other pieces. I think I just spent a little bit more selfish than the genesis of some of my other pieces.

...