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Originally Posted by Brett ...I love animals. Always have and always will. However, I believe that pets are pets and should be treated as such. They should not be dressed up on a regular basis as if they were a person. An occasional shirt on a college game day or holiday should be accepted; however, I don't think that one's pet should consume his or her entire life. I think it is completely ridiculous for one to revolve their life around their dog. Pets are great for companionship and fun to play with........ People need to desensitize themselves from this happy-go-lucky world of spoiled dogs that wear clothes and that have human tendencies, and remember that they are pets and should be treated as such…
| Ok, I know I am not a regular poster so I have this disclaimer. First, I’d like to say that these are my opinions. Therefore, I do not wish this to be construed as an attack,or to offend anyone, they are just my personal opinions. I really enjoy coming to this forum, I like reading the posts and hearing what everyone has to say, and understand that it is their opinions and thoughts. I do not expect you to agree with any of the things I say that is why it is my opinion. And, although I disagree with yours I respect it. But, I vehemently disagree with what you say here Brett. Let me reiterate, I am not attacking you just letting you know that I vehemently disagree with what you say regarding the above quote. The part that says “..I don't think that one's pet should consume his or her entire life…. I think it is completely ridiculous for one to revolve their life around their dog...” I love my pets, every single one I have ever had or have now. My life is far better because of the unconditional, AMAZING love that they gave/give me and because of that my life is forever enriched. Whether it was a fish, cat, dog, bird, gerbil, hamster, guinea pig, turtle, goats, horse or any other living creature I had as my pet. Especially, my beloved Alex, my cocker who passed away last year. She was the very first thing I thought about every morning when I woke up, I took a job 1 block away from my house when she got older so I could be closer to her and be there for her as much as I could. When she was diagnosed with acute renal failure, I would have given her one of my kidneys if it meant that it would have saved her life. You can ask anyone who knows me, that it is a literal statement. She did consume my life. She completed my life. In my opinion, if you choose to not revolve your life around your pet then that is fine, to each his own, but for you to say it is “ridiculous” is a hurtful statement. I know that it is not an intentional at any one person but as someone whose life does revolve around her pets, I take offense in it. I think and hope that you only meant the above to spark a debate and conversation, not in a hurtful way. I have a husband; we have a great social life, lots of friends and by no means are these hermits that never leave our house. We both graduated from Purdue University with Bachelor Degrees. My husband is successful at his job and so am I. I feel very fulfilled and so does he. I feel we are smart, reasonable minded people, which contribute to our community and society. Before my husband married me he never had a pet, nothing not even a pet rock. haha Anyway I had Alex, he was like why are you so crazy about that dog, it’s just a dog. We were married 5 years before Alex passed and I can tell you that in the end he would have given Alex one of his kidneys too. Now we have our little Matise and he is the center of our lives. We do things with him and for him. Our lives are richer because we have him. I would rather live in a “happy-go-lucky world of spoiled dogs” than in any other world. I am proud that my pets are more then pets they are important, valuable members of my family. I love them as much if not more then most of the humans in my life.
As far as your opinions and views on puppy mills, they don’t really offend me. My views on breeders are such, I feel that you have to have a license and be monitored for just about anything else in this world, so why don’t breeders have to be licensed and monitored. I think that irresponsible breeders should have to be put to the same conditions they put their animals, for that matter anyone who commits cruelty to animals. An eye for an eye is my opinion; however harsh that may be it is my opinion. My sister has 11 dogs and spends quality time with each and every one of her dogs, 5 of them even sleep in the bed every night. She does not breed any of them, though. So I don’t think it is how many dogs you have it is the quality of life that you give those animals, which should be the highest possible. I think that it is up to the consumer to be as educated as humanly possible about whatever they are buying. That is how to help stop puppy mills and irresponsible breeders. Help to educate and bring awareness about the incredible crimes committed against animals in puppy mills and by irresponsible breeders not only to the people around you but also to your local lawmakers and ask them to pass legislature for stricter laws and penalties against the people who commit crimes and wrongs against animals. Thats how we will help to stop the wrongs committed against animals.
Like I said before these are my opinions. Therefore, I do not wish this to be construed as an attack,or to offend anyone, they are just my personal opinions. I really enjoy coming to this forum, I like reading the posts and hearing what everyone has to say, and understand that it is their opinions and thoughts. I do not expect you to agree with any of the things I say that is why it is my opinion. And, although I disagree with yours I respect it. |
