Domestication is interesting because your average German shepherd is arguably living a significantly higher quality of life than a wolf living in the wild. While they may not have the same "freedom" as a wolf living in the woods, the wolf lives in its own shackles, always fighting for food, shelter and protection from predators. While I don't disagree that having pets is fundamentally a problematic concept, I also think its always a bad idea to attribute abstract human traits and concepts onto animals, most of which want food, water, safe territory, and engagement.

Almost every animal specialist I talked to never talks about animals as if they were people, they always have a sense of respect for them being an animal and of a different species. I suppose they have a greater understanding of what an animal "wants".

The second part of the question was were you right, and I think you're probably wrong most of the time on your stance, but there are definitely areas where you are correct.

My argument would be that even though many of these pets have ingrained psychosocial issues that make them more amenable to being owned as pets, the counterpoint is, is there is no fundamental and absolute right way to live.

If there's a tiny little section where people and animals can be happy, then there's nothing wrong with that happiness.

Blaming someone for not taking the entirety of the universe into account for something that gave them happiness is generally considered a dick move.

if it makes you feel better, there are different ways to take care of a pet (or companion animal if you prefer that term)

my dogs (**my **as in they are under my care, like children) don't know tricks, they are free to perform any behavior that doesn't put them or any other animal in danger

around me they are free to keep doing whatever they want or ask to be pet, the only orders I give them is to sit down and stay still when I give them treats so they don't start a fight over it and to move from one part of my yard to another when we need to move heavy stuff

whenever the capitalist system let's me keep enough energy after my chores I take them out for walks but when that's not the case I play with them in my yard

I respect and love them in that way

I agree but I think it’s alright to have rescued pets. Would be better if they didn’t need to be rescued but that’s the way it is.

Iffeel the same way, especially about cats.