Passive Smoking and Our Pets

[bWY39]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

That is such a sad story and one more reason for smokers to stop. Poor little cat has to be so sick through no fault of its own. Think of all the suffering of people and creatures that has come from the use of tobacco.

As I said in my opening post I do not want this to turn into a ban the smoker campaign but you do have a point.

Most smokers will give you reasons for them smoking ranging from "weight gain" to "don't have the will power". All will agree it is not a good thing to do.
The fact is they have a choice and that is the human right so we should never attempt to say they should not smoke.

Animals do not have that choice so we as so called responsible human adults should not force it on them.

In my ignorance, when I smoked for nearly 60 years, I never once considered my pet I am totally ashamed to admit that but it is the truth.
(fortunately non of my pets suffered with any medical condition)

If this thread has made one person think about smoking and their pet then it has been well worth posting.

[SWHouston]

bWY39, et All,

I apologize if my comment came across as insensitive, it's SO hard
to present a point of view on this type subject, when there are those
who have experienced such hardship.

I believe my initial reaction (not that you or anyone here has) is from
a preponderance of generalizations and assumptions concerning how
Smoking specifically effects one. I just snap and try to at least say
"let's look a the whole picture please" !!

Smoking Tobacco does one thing, and one thing only.
Tobacco contains narcotics. and
continued use of Tobacco, creates a habit.
And that's ALL that smoking does.

You can say that Tobacco contains carcinogenic material.
It sure does, but, so does the water we drink, the food we
eat and the clothes we wear. It's everywhere, and if you
consume/expose yourself to enough of any of these situations
you just may get Cancer. And, the onset of a problem, is not
any less or more obvious or catastrophic, than is that of the
result of Smoking.

Honestly, what we're talking about here, is an issue of susceptibility.
One's personal ability to resist the effects. It is unfortunate, that
we have created a world, which is replete with opportunities to resist.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I smoke for 10 years but myphysician boss hounded me daily in the nicest way until I stopped on 11-19-88. Got a treadmill and every time I wanted to smoke, I spent 45 minutes on it and after that, all I wanted to do was breathe in and out and collapse. Every time I would think about a cigarette after that, I would think about how much more difficult it would make breathing while on that dreadful treadmill and I would not smoke. I deciding my health and living well was way more important than the way nicotine and the habit of holding a cigarette made me feel for a few minutes. A lot of us smokers tend to be control freaks plus into instant gratification - that was me! Through quitting, I learned a lot about how to act when I can't control something(and would tend to light a cigarette) and I did not really need instant gratification so much. I learned to just deal with frustration and want better and just live through it without a cigarette or food or going shopping. It was a great thing that my old boss did for me. I will always thank him for what he did!!!

[FlDebra]

Thanks for starting a thread to alert smokers to the danger they are posing if they smoke near their pets. I am ashamed to say as a smoker early in life, I smoked with my kids in the car. For some reason, I had banished smoking in the house but not the car -- the car where they are cooped up with a small amount of air circulating and all that smoke trapped for them to inhale! I finally quit smoking and don't contribute to any second hand smoke damage now. But I do feel guilty when I think about the time I did! Thankfully my sons don't show any signs of damage! Quitting was one of the most difficult things I ever did in my life! I do not judge others who are at different points in their life, but I pray they all find the courage and perseverance to quit eventually and before it is too late for their own lungs or those of others who are forced to passively smoke.

My dear sweet husband lost his life to lung cancer. It is a horrible way to die. It robs a person of any joy and dignity they have near the end. He smoked from a very early age, he was sprayed down with Agent Orange on several occasions in country/Viet Nam, he was exposed to asbestos dangers on ships and older government buildings, and we had an accidental release at a local Chemical company. When we started adding up exposures, we figured my poor husband really did not stand a chance. He was robbed of many years he should have been able to enjoy life. We were all robbed of years of enjoying HIM!

If you smoke, keep trying to quit. It took me many tries! I am not sure I ever would have quit for myself. But my youngest son was persistent in wanting us to quit. My oldest son started to smoke and my middle son was experimenting with dip! I had to set a better example! We are all tobacco-free now, (over 11 years for me!), and I am so very grateful for that! Thank you Lord -- because I called on Him so many times and He got me through it!

[bWY39]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

bWY39, et All,

I apologize if my comment came across as insensitive, it's SO hard
to present a point of view on this type subject, when there are those
who have experienced such hardship.

I believe my initial reaction (not that you or anyone here has) is from
a preponderance of generalizations and assumptions concerning how
Smoking specifically effects one. I just snap and try to at least say
"let's look a the whole picture please" !!

Smoking Tobacco does one thing, and one thing only.
Tobacco contains narcotics. and
continued use of Tobacco, creates a habit.
And that's ALL that smoking does.

You can say that Tobacco contains carcinogenic material.
It sure does, but, so does the water we drink, the food we
eat and the clothes we wear. It's everywhere, and if you
consume/expose yourself to enough of any of these situations
you just may get Cancer. And, the onset of a problem, is not
any less or more obvious or catastrophic, than is that of the
result of Smoking.

Honestly, what we're talking about here, is an issue of susceptibility.
One's personal ability to resist the effects. It is unfortunate, that
we have created a world, which is replete with opportunities to resist.

Once again I thank you for your contribution.

It is in fact in contradiction to that which my doctor has told me when he gave me just 12 months left in this world.
He explained a lot about many different substances which enter my lungs via the smoke.

It is also in direct conflict with what the hospital said when my mother died and what the vet said when the cat had to be put down.

I respect your point of view but will have to agree to disagree in the friendliest way possible.

My final point is that our pets do not have the choice we have so why force it on them.

[LDMomma]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

bWY39, et All,

I apologize if my comment came across as insensitive, it's SO hard
to present a point of view on this type subject, when there are those
who have experienced such hardship.

I believe my initial reaction (not that you or anyone here has) is from
a preponderance of generalizations and assumptions concerning how
Smoking specifically effects one. I just snap and try to at least say
"let's look a the whole picture please" !!

Smoking Tobacco does one thing, and one thing only.
Tobacco contains narcotics. and
continued use of Tobacco, creates a habit.
And that's ALL that smoking does.

You can say that Tobacco contains carcinogenic material.
It sure does, but, so does the water we drink, the food we
eat and the clothes we wear. It's everywhere, and if you
consume/expose yourself to enough of any of these situations
you just may get Cancer. And, the onset of a problem, is not
any less or more obvious or catastrophic, than is that of the
result of Smoking.

Honestly, what we're talking about here, is an issue of susceptibility.
One's personal ability to resist the effects. It is unfortunate, that
we have created a world, which is replete with opportunities to resist.

First let me say that I am so sorry that the poor cat had to suffer. Poor baby!

Next, the difference is we HAVE to drink water, eat food, and wear clothes to survive (loss of heat). We don't have to smoke.

You choose to smoke and that's your right but don't act like you're not taking any more of a risk than those that choose not to smoke.

That's all I can say on this topic. Peace out!

[bWY39]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Thanks for starting a thread to alert smokers to the danger they are posing if they smoke near their pets. I am ashamed to say as a smoker early in life, I smoked with my kids in the car. For some reason, I had banished smoking in the house but not the car -- the car where they are cooped up with a small amount of air circulating and all that smoke trapped for them to inhale! I finally quit smoking and don't contribute to any second hand smoke damage now. But I do feel guilty when I think about the time I did! Thankfully my sons don't show any signs of damage! Quitting was one of the most difficult things I ever did in my life! I do not judge others who are at different points in their life, but I pray they all find the courage and perseverance to quit eventually and before it is too late for their own lungs or those of others who are forced to passively smoke.

My dear sweet husband lost his life to lung cancer. It is a horrible way to die. It robs a person of any joy and dignity they have near the end. He smoked from a very early age, he was sprayed down with Agent Orange on several occasions in country/Viet Nam, he was exposed to asbestos dangers on ships and older government buildings, and we had an accidental release at a local Chemical company. When we started adding up exposures, we figured my poor husband really did not stand a chance. He was robbed of many years he should have been able to enjoy life. We were all robbed of years of enjoying HIM!

If you smoke, keep trying to quit. It took me many tries! I am not sure I ever would have quit for myself. But my youngest son was persistent in wanting us to quit. My oldest son started to smoke and my middle son was experimenting with dip! I had to set a better example! We are all tobacco-free now, (over 11 years for me!), and I am so very grateful for that! Thank you Lord -- because I called on Him so many times and He got me through it!

Once again I thank you for your contribution.

I firmly believe that no person should ever tell another that they should or should not smoke that is a choice they have the right to make. (for adults).

My concern with this thread is for our pets not the person.

Smokers will stop when they have a reason to stop but animals will passive smoke while they wait.

[yorkietalkjilly]

This thread really illustrates that so much of what a person does affects another person or a creature in some way.

[FlDebra]

After reading through again, I might owe an apology to the OP who did not want this to be a stop-smoking thread. Sorry if my last post was a "stop smoking" sort of post. It is very difficult NOT to sound that way after watching the man you love more than anything waste away from nicotine! It might not have been the only thing that did it, but it was a huge factor.

I just want all smokers to know that I judge NO ONE! I did my damage, I'm sure! It is no easy thing to quit. I do wish success for anyone who decides for themselves they are ready to quit! It is a very individual commitment! I don't think any amount of preaching or nay-saying will work on another. We each have to decide when it is time for ourselves. When I said smokers -- keep trying to quit -- it was responding to those who had posted HERE that they were trying or wanting to quit.

I do think we all need to be considerate of all around us (other people AND pets) that will passively take the same risks without making the decision for themselves though.

BTW -- as little as a year before my husband died, he felt like smoking was no problem for him. He never did get the emphysema-type problems some lung cancer patients get. His breathing was good. He could run, work hard, passed his stress tests with flying colors. The tumors in his lungs did not get huge until right at the end. But silently, tumors had metastasized throughout his body, in bones, in organs, everywhere. The pain in his hip is what kept him going to a doctor. We were shocked to find it was from lung cancer! So, be careful thinking all is well ....... lung cancer is an insidious beast!

[JESSY_RN2B]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

bWY39, et All,

I apologize if my comment came across as insensitive, it's SO hard
to present a point of view on this type subject, when there are those
who have experienced such hardship.

I believe my initial reaction (not that you or anyone here has) is from
a preponderance of generalizations and assumptions concerning how
Smoking specifically effects one. I just snap and try to at least say
"let's look a the whole picture please" !!

Smoking Tobacco does one thing, and one thing only.
Tobacco contains narcotics. and
continued use of Tobacco, creates a habit.
And that's ALL that smoking does.

You can say that Tobacco contains carcinogenic material.
It sure does, but, so does the water we drink, the food we
eat and the clothes we wear. It's everywhere, and if you
consume/expose yourself to enough of any of these situations
you just may get Cancer. And, the onset of a problem, is not
any less or more obvious or catastrophic, than is that of the
result of Smoking.

Honestly, what we're talking about here, is an issue of susceptibility.
One's personal ability to resist the effects. It is unfortunate, that
we have created a world, which is replete with opportunities to resist.

I agree that just about everything nowdays contributes to raising our chances to get cancer; however, if not smoking decreases my chance even by 0.0000000001%, then I will most definitely err on the side of caution.

I cannot control my water supply, the environment or food supply but I can avoid the laundry of added carcinogens in a cigarette.

I guess we both shall continue to play russian roulette.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

bWY39, et All,

I apologize if my comment came across as insensitive, it's SO hard
to present a point of view on this type subject, when there are those
who have experienced such hardship.

I believe my initial reaction (not that you or anyone here has) is from
a preponderance of generalizations and assumptions concerning how
Smoking specifically effects one. I just snap and try to at least say
"let's look a the whole picture please" !!

Smoking Tobacco does one thing, and one thing only.
Tobacco contains narcotics. and
continued use of Tobacco, creates a habit.
And that's ALL that smoking does.

You can say that Tobacco contains carcinogenic material.
It sure does, but, so does the water we drink, the food we
eat and the clothes we wear. It's everywhere, and if you
consume/expose yourself to enough of any of these situations
you just may get Cancer. And, the onset of a problem, is not
any less or more obvious or catastrophic, than is that of the
result of Smoking.

Honestly, what we're talking about here, is an issue of susceptibility.
One's personal ability to resist the effects. It is unfortunate, that
we have created a world, which is replete with opportunities to resist.

I dont aggree there are obvious ill effects of smoking. I know with myself i get winded easy and I just found out I have high blood pressure and Im only 45. It just hasnt caught up to you yet but it will. My mother smoked and she died at 55 of heart problems. After she died I definitely should have quit. Im ready to do it now though and live a healthier lifestyle

[SWHouston]

GEES... I JUST LOVE THIS FORUM...
or is it the people on it...

I've been on a lot of sites, where this would have become a
fight to the finish... instead of a respectful and courteous
exchange of ideas.

I lurked a little, before registering here, sorta testing the water
and saw how people here, treat people here.
I was compelled to join you !

And, I'm SO glad I did.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

GEES... I JUST LOVE THIS FORUM...
or is it the people on it...

I've been on a lot of sites, where this would have become a
fight to the finish... instead of a respectful and courteous
exchange of ideas.

I lurked a little, before registering here, sorta testing the water
and saw how people here, treat people here.
I was compelled to join you !

And, I'm SO glad I did.

I stayed off any forum until YT from all the things I had head of how awful they can get. This one is very different from everything I have heard about how hard it is to try to follow some threads on some forums due to the things some people post and how vicious they get. I guess we Yorkie lovers are just sooooo classy, we aren't too mean! lol

[JESSY_RN2B]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

GEES... I JUST LOVE THIS FORUM...
or is it the people on it...

I've been on a lot of sites, where this would have become a
fight to the finish... instead of a respectful and courteous
exchange of ideas.

I lurked a little, before registering here, sorta testing the water
and saw how people here, treat people here.
I was compelled to join you !

And, I'm SO glad I did.

I agree plus it is so nice to explore both sides in a respectful manner. Either it validates your side or opens the opportunity to see things in a different stance.

We can all agree to disagree without hurting each other.

[chachi]

I just think there is mutual respect on this forum. There have been some very difficult and controversial subjects discussed calmly and rationally on this forum. I know we can very much disagree with someone on something but we can always listen and consider their point of view and have respect for them for having it and voicing it