Originally Posted by mama2yorkies (Post 3595158)

I’ve been following this thread and I know I probably should stay out of this debate but I feel compelled to put in my two cents. I respect all of you YT’ers for your passion and different viewpoints.

For me, dogs are not the same as people. They are more important. I believe we should put the needs of our pets above the needs of our human family members. With the exception of very young children, humans have the ability to meet their own needs. Our pets do not. They are completely dependent on us to care for them. That is the commitment we accept when we bring them into our lives.

For me, this really comes down to a fundamental philosophical difference. I don’t believe that we are here to dominate nature, or the animals that we share the earth with. I believe that we are meant to live in harmony with nature. We, collectively, have a responsibility to care for all living creatures that we share this earth with, but especially our pets, as we have chosen to domesticate them.

That’s my two cents and I know not all will agree.

Originally Posted by mama2yorkies (Post 3595158)

I’ve been following this thread and I know I probably should stay out of this debate but I feel compelled to put in my two cents. I respect all of you YT’ers for your passion and different viewpoints.

For me, dogs are not the same as people. They are more important. I believe we should put the needs of our pets above the needs of our human family members. With the exception of very young children, humans have the ability to meet their own needs. Our pets do not. They are completely dependent on us to care for them. That is the commitment we accept when we bring them into our lives.

For me, this really comes down to a fundamental philosophical difference. I don’t believe that we are here to dominate nature, or the animals that we share the earth with. I believe that we are meant to live in harmony with nature. We, collectively, have a responsibility to care for all living creatures that we share this earth with, but especially our pets, as we have chosen to domesticate them.

That’s my two cents and I know not all will agree.

Originally Posted by mama2yorkies (Post 3595158)

For me, dogs are not the same as people. They are more important. I believe we should put the needs of our pets above the needs of our human family members. With the exception of very young children, humans have the ability to meet their own needs. Our pets do not. They are completely dependent on us to care for them. That is the commitment we accept when we bring them into our lives.

For me, this really comes down to a fundamental philosophical difference. I don’t believe that we are here to dominate nature, or the animals that we share the earth with. I believe that we are meant to live in harmony with nature. We, collectively, have a responsibility to care for all living creatures that we share this earth with, but especially our pets, as we have chosen to domesticate them.

That’s my two cents and I know not all will agree.

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 3594760)

My posts did not leave you speechless, unfortunately.

First things first....I made no sweeping generalization, and I did not call it un-American to find a home for a pet in need. What I said was that the views of some people and their concept of pet ownership and responsibility are very far away from mine. What's wrong with that? I realize you have your back up because you gave up a dog as you stated earlier (after all, humans first is your view). But, my view is that my dogs are family members on the same exact plane with the humans who are my family members. You may choose to relegate your animals to a lesser status, but I do not, and not only will I not apologize for that view, I think it is a correct one.

Just to personalize it for a second -- I have a little epileptic dog. He has many challenges. A dog like Teddy would be cast aside by many. He will never be cast aside by me, and I thank God every day that he has entrusted me to care for this little darling. I consider it a privilege to administer his medication every 12 hours, to wipe up his accidents because he can't remember all the time what he is suppose to do, to encourage him daily with basic commands that he confuses, and to play the games he likes that mentally stimulate him. That is the honor to me of being guardian to a dog who has a disability. Perhaps he picked me for this reason and for as long as he is on this earth, he has a home where he is a family member.

I look for solutions to problems, and I will always find a way. I'm sorry you didn't, but that's not surprising since, after all, it's just a dog...

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 3594760)

My posts did not leave you speechless, unfortunately.

First things first....I made no sweeping generalization, and I did not call it un-American to find a home for a pet in need. What I said was that the views of some people and their concept of pet ownership and responsibility are very far away from mine. What's wrong with that? I realize you have your back up because you gave up a dog as you stated earlier (after all, humans first is your view). But, my view is that my dogs are family members on the same exact plane with the humans who are my family members. You may choose to relegate your animals to a lesser status, but I do not, and not only will I not apologize for that view, I think it is a correct one.

Just to personalize it for a second -- I have a little epileptic dog. He has many challenges. A dog like Teddy would be cast aside by many. He will never be cast aside by me, and I thank God every day that he has entrusted me to care for this little darling. I consider it a privilege to administer his medication every 12 hours, to wipe up his accidents because he can't remember all the time what he is suppose to do, to encourage him daily with basic commands that he confuses, and to play the games he likes that mentally stimulate him. That is the honor to me of being guardian to a dog who has a disability. Perhaps he picked me for this reason and for as long as he is on this earth, he has a home where he is a family member.

I look for solutions to problems, and I will always find a way. I'm sorry you didn't, but that's not surprising since, after all, it's just a dog...

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 3594760)

But, my view is that my dogs are family members on the same exact plane with the humans who are my family members. You may choose to relegate your animals to a lesser status, but I do not, and not only will I not apologize for that view, I think it is a correct one.

Originally Posted by mama2yorkies (Post 3595158)

For me, dogs are not the same as people. They are more important. I believe we should put the needs of our pets above the needs of our human family members. With the exception of very young children, humans have the ability to meet their own needs. Our pets do not. They are completely dependent on us to care for them. That is the commitment we accept when we bring them into our lives.

For me, this really comes down to a fundamental philosophical difference. I don’t believe that we are here to dominate nature, or the animals that we share the earth with. I believe that we are meant to live in harmony with nature. We, collectively, have a responsibility to care for all living creatures that we share this earth with, but especially our pets, as we have chosen to domesticate them.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 3595668)

Amazing :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:!

Mama2 - have you seen the animal/human/nature documentary Earthlings? It's *extremely* traumatic to watch, but it's along your philosophies, which are the same as mine. Earthlings is available via DVD and online at EARTHLINGS - Make the Connection. | Nation Earth. Do not watch unless you think you're prepared...and even then, it can shred your heart....just a warning.

Originally Posted by roseylovestosho (Post 3595727)

Did anyone else realize she's had both dogs for less than a year? Pooter in October and Tikka was apparently added in April? I think I also understand why she said "it might as well be Pooter," (when talking about the one she arbitrarily gives up) it might have something to do with the fact that she got the dog for free, but she "bought" Tikka. :(

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...-new-yt-d.html

Originally Posted by butterfly (Post 3595739)

Well, I guess I need to 'open my big mouth'. ;)

I love my animals with my life. I too have a disabled little tiny. She has CP, and as she has gotten older (5) her front right paw has totally curled and she can only barely scoot to get around a little bit on her pad to potty, to her water, to her bed. She is and angel actually name is 'Angel Baby'. I lost a beautiful one at 4 yrs to severe collapsed trachea last fall. I gave up vacations, company (she would get too excited and would have an attack that could last days or weeks). I didn't mind. They are my furkids. They have saved my life after our only child was murdered. I have a chihuahua that has to have allergy shots....I don't care I'd do ANYTHING for them!

I do not feel people should just get rid of their animals because they are tired of them etc.

Still, however, I stand by my feelings that when circumstances change or a tragedy, sometimes they have to be rehomed.

I would rather see some dogs rehomed than to be kept somewhere where they will be felt as a burdon and not treated or cared for as they should be just because the owner thinks they 'have to' because it's their dog. Let the poor animals so somewhere where they will be loved and cared for properly. I DO think that is better than sticking by the thought that you made the decision to have this dog keep it an deal with it. Sometimes those dogs end up being the poor animals that are kept in pens outside with no attention ever except for food and water.(if the owners remember)

Originally Posted by kjc (Post 3595884)

I agree, but would edit to say 'sometimes it is better for the dog to be rehomed'.

I also agree that folks need to be serious about adopting pets, that it is a lifetime commitment. Granted, many young people on YT are seriously commited to their Yorkies, but I think you all are a 'rare' breed. I do wish it was more the 'norm' but people grow and mature differently, at different rates, so not all 21 year olds are responsible to the same level. And some people never learn what commitment really is.

I do think the OP made the right decision to rehome her dogs. She realized hers was not the appropriate situation/lifestyle for these little ones, and that they would have better lives with people who have a more settled life, and a stable home.

Should she have adopted the dogs in the first place? No, she made a mistake, realized her mistake, and wanted to do the next best thing for her pups by rehoming them. Rehoming means that some effort is put in to finding a good home, as opposed to 'dumping' them at the pound or a shelter, or in the street, as many do.

I am sad for the pups that she has made this decision, but she needs to do what she thinks is right for her, and she will have to live with her decision. Hopefully she will learn about making commitments as she matures, and doesn't keep making the same mistake over and over again.

Originally Posted by kjc (Post 3595884)

I agree, but would edit to say 'sometimes it is better for the dog to be rehomed'.

I also agree that folks need to be serious about adopting pets, that it is a lifetime commitment. Granted, many young people on YT are seriously commited to their Yorkies, but I think you all are a 'rare' breed. I do wish it was more the 'norm' but people grow and mature differently, at different rates, so not all 21 year olds are responsible to the same level. And some people never learn what commitment really is.

I do think the OP made the right decision to rehome her dogs. She realized hers was not the appropriate situation/lifestyle for these little ones, and that they would have better lives with people who have a more settled life, and a stable home.

Should she have adopted the dogs in the first place? No, she made a mistake, realized her mistake, and wanted to do the next best thing for her pups by rehoming them. Rehoming means that some effort is put in to finding a good home, as opposed to 'dumping' them at the pound or a shelter, or in the street, as many do.

I am sad for the pups that she has made this decision, but she needs to do what she thinks is right for her, and she will have to live with her decision. Hopefully she will learn about making commitments as she matures, and doesn't keep making the same mistake over and over again.