I am going to vent out on pet owners...sorry!

I would just say Amen!, but I'm supposed to give more than a one line response!

Animals are the one and only charity type thing that I will give to. Not because I don't care about people and not because I think some people don't deserve it. I can't even say because at least people have someone to take care of them and to care about them. But I love animals. Animals have always come first in my mind. I remember when I was a kid, my dog bit me. It was my fault, I walked into the laundry room where she was sleeping and startled her. She didn't do it to be mean or cause she was mad. I just startled her. My dad got real mad at the poor dog and hit her and yelled at her and I didn't care that I had been bit, I loved my dog and I was sad he was mad at her. I can't watch those shows on tv about animals, you know those cop shows where they're saving animals from horrid owners as opposed to arresting people for being dumb. They make me so sad. I worked in a homeowned daycare where I didn't understand why they had two pet dogs that they kept locked in a little area behind the couch... it wasn't even like they just had them there when kids were over, it was always! I actually have my cat because my brothers wife decided after 4 weeks of having a little kitten that she didn't want it. She claimed he ate her books (he's never eaten a single book of mine) and that he did all this other crazy bad stuff. They'd run out of food and just feed him tunafish instead of, you know, buying food! When I found out they didn't want the cat anymore I said "good because I want him". I'd go out and buy him food with the last of my money before I would go out and by myself food. My cat comes first. I guess it's good I don't have kids or anything!

thank you for posting this! I have always believed that if people cant take care of a pet they shouldn't have one..I am so tired of seeing animals suffer cause people can't take their animals to the pet.they shouldn't have them in the first place. when I was given my Moose,I had to think and make sure i would be able to take care of and feed him properly. only when I decided i could,did i take him

It's not a matter of being mad at you. It's a matter of pointing out one's own opinion. I had a dog once that ate poisonous frogs ALL the time. We took her to the Vet ER twice, each time costing over $1,000 to get her mouth basically hosed out. After that, we started hosing her mouth out ourselves at home when she did this. We didn't love her any less, but we couldn't get her to stop eating those dang frogs, and we couldn't afford it anymore. Pet food, I buy an intermediate priced brand. Not because of it's name, but because my dog has a sensitive stomach and this is the ONLY food she can eat. The cheap food was not the problem with the poisoning, it actually affected very high end food as well. Getting an inside cat declawed is not a crime either. They do not need the claws for defense if they are indorrs. We spay and neuter animals all the time, how is declawing any worse than that? I plan on going on vacation, and my dog is going to a kennel while I am gone. Does that make me a bad pet owner? No, it means I am providing proper care while I am away. She cannot come where I am going to. If you provide love and care for your pet, it doesn't matter how much money you spend on it. I have plenty of feelings for my dog. I love her and have always had dogs my entire life. BUT if it came down to my family or my dog, my family would come first.

I couldn't agree with you more. I think some people just have no idea wha they are getting themselves into, particulalrly with dogs that grow up to bark, chew, poop, and need training and exercise. It breaks my heart to see them dumped and mistreated or worse.

I guess that people look at things in different ways. You have your right to your opinions while others have their rights to their opinion. What you feel is best for an animal someone else might not agree to. Just because there is a cheaper price on a dog food doesn't mean that it isn't as good as the gourmet dog food. A pet owner has to look at the ingredients. I have seen that the higher end dog food isn't always the best. I agree with some people that vet care is outrageous because they play on a persons love for the animal. In our area we are able to get health insurance for our pets. Not sure if its available or affordable where everyone is at but it is worth checking in to. You might even check your local college for student vets, sometimes pet care is cheaper there as well. Lastly all living creatures deserve to be loved and taken care of. I agree that people should make sure that they have the time to show their pets the love that they deserve. It isn't right to leave the poor animals at home alone while the owner goes on vacation.

These very same people are probably not so good parents either. I am concerned with a society that does not care for their elderly, young or animals. We must get a grip on this so we can continue as a society. I hope it can be noticed and calmly noted since unless many of us do something it will be a common occurance. I hope you can keep your blood pressure in good shape over this issue!!

Amen! Thank you so much for posting this. I wish people would stop seeing their pets as disposable objects, it's so upsetting. My cat means the world to me. He's not declawed (we clip his nails) as his happiness is more important than my furniture (besides, we can always buy new things, we can't buy him new claws), he gets the best of food and we will never leave him alone when we go on holiday. He is truly a part of our family and we always treat him as such.

That is one reason why I don't have a pet. First of all they ARE like children to me. And second of all I can not afford the extra expense right now. I really wish I could though because I would love to get a shitzu puppy.

I have five babies, three that are six months old and two that are two years old. Four girls and one boy, I don't go any where without taking my babies. All my babies are pomeranians. My boy was born blind, but he gets around just as good as the others, sometimes I forget he's blind. So I agree, "Have some feelings for the poor animal please" Peace!

Omg I should say I love you margieanneart a person of my own heart. I have 1 dog, 3cats, 2 rabbits, 4 chooks. They are all spoilt rotten my cats and dog actually think they are human. I have seen these discussions myself and feel sick. I have save all my animals from people who dont want them after a couple of months. awwwwww

My sentiments exactly, you have put it very effectively. I consider my pets to be no less than children and anyone who even talks about selling their pets or earning from them upsets me. I never spared any expenses when it came to my dog.

Thank you! I have a black labrador retriever, and I look at her as though she is my child! I treat her with the utmost respect and she has equality as a member of our family. Anytime we go out of town, our first priority is making sure we can board her at a reputably good place. Luckily, we have a "pet hotel" type place nearby that treats the animals very well! My dog always gets the most nutritious food that my vet recommends, has a comfortable pillow and blanket, lots of chew toys, etc. I think people forget that animals are not just objects - they have brains, thoughts, feelings, and emotions just as humans do, and they need the same attention and respect that we give each other.

You know? I agree... You should get an animal only if you can take proper care of he or she.

I get really angry at people who don´t care for their pets. Nobody obliges you to have one. It would be much easier and far less egocentrical if these people just decided not to have one. Call me naive, but I didn´t even know that some individuals declaw their cats because they are worried about their furniture! I had cats and it never even occurred to me. Honestly. What happens a lot here in Spain is that people buy animals because their children want to have one. That´s ok, if you explain to your kids that having a pet is a big responsibility and not some kind of toy. Unfortunately there are far too many parents who don´t do this. They buy the pet as a surprise it´s: "oh, isn´t it cute" for some time and when the family gets tired of the poor animal and they eventually abandon it. We´ve got a goldfish, because no other pets are allowed where we live. It´s my daughter´s fish, she absolutely wanted one, but I´ve told her that she was in charge of feeding him and cleaning the filter of it´s tank. If she didn´t agree with this, she was not to have him. She gave it a bit of thought and gladly accepted. Since then, it´s her who cleans the fish tank and reminds me to buy the products he needs to keep the water in good condition. My daughter is no one off, all kids can be trusted to make the right decision about pets if their parents explain not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages to them. People who mistreat or abandon their pets should be punished by law. I might get ripped to shreds for this sentence, but that´s what I think. Hugs XXX Dana P.s. It´s always a pleasure to see you here, dear.

Wow Margie Love what set this of Someone must have upset you badly So who has upset you now what Discussion did you see

Dear friend, I so agree with you. I see how happy my little kitties are when I come home, and I feel sorry if I have to leave them for long days. They are enjoy summer just as I am. They come sit in the glider swing with me, they greet each of us as we drive in the driveway. I have determined not to get more pets, but each of these has found us. The dogs were too much, my niece had to take responsibility for them, as they were her mom's and her mom did not ever even come see them, or walk them or even buy food. My family always thought I was unfair when I said people on food stamps and welfare should not have pets. It is not fair to the pets, and it takes away from your resources for your family. No one gets your best then, not your family or your pets. That is not love.

Hey there long time no speak.LOL You know I agree with you on that subject. And I feel the same way as you. You go girl!

Good on You !! I think it needed to be said. You are so right, and it is very upsetting when you read these sorts of discussions going on. Its so sad to think about these poor animals with lack of care.

I think DeClawing a cat is horrible. They never forget the pain. And, if the get out, they can't protect themselves Buy a scratching post or furnitue from Goodwill