A Puffy Coat for a Dog?

@cher913 (25782)
Canada
November 1, 2012 1:45pm CST
Now, i know that most of you are dog lovers as i am too but glancing though the new Sears Canada Christmas flier i cam across a puffy coat for a dog for $20 which is cute but how could i buy this if i had a dog knowing that there are so many people going hungry tonight? Our church participates in Operation Christmas Child and we recently saw a video about a boy who lives in the Philippines who received a box. it made me feel very guilty as the stuff i take for granted here in North America. Do you give to a charity at Christmas time? Do you only do it at Christmas time or not at all? There are so many charities out there, how do you choose? For me, it is easy, i would give to where i work (a not for profit Christian organization).
4 people like this
10 responses
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
I bought my two cats last year or was it the year before winter jackets. I know so many who buy clothing for their animals me being one of them. A lot of times with charity the money doesnt go to those who need it but rather the organization. I remember waching a documentary on it, and was disgusted. I use to do big baskets of items, and toys then saw this and wont give a penny now. I usually do up items for the local animal shelter. But I see where the money goes, and what everything is used for as I volunteer there.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
you do have to be careful. i am happy to say that where i work 95% of the donation goes towards what it is being donated for. i cannot say that with very many organizations any more though.
1 person likes this
@911Ricki (13588)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
My Grandma gives money to charity left and right, it's ridiculous. I only donate to chairties I know where the money is going, as I am struggling myself and don't have money to throw away.
1 person likes this
@mzz663 (2772)
• United States
1 Nov 12
Some people consider their pet as part of their family and would buy their dog a coat, just like they would for a kid, if their dog has a short coat in a cold climate. A lot of times I give at Christmas time to charities or try to help a family out but I never did agree with the "helping them out at Christmas time" thing, I would like to see this kind of good deeds and charity given year round.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
yup i agree with you there! year round is the way to go.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
1 Nov 12
I have cut back on my giving...not at Christmas but through the year....I love giving something to someone less fortunate...the only problem is that when I give to like the Salvation army, I send a check and three days later I get another letter asking for more....now I send what is comfortable...and I give to the food shelf there...when is enough enough? It takes the thrill out of being able to give.....I don't like being hounded to do it.
1 person likes this
@swissheart (6482)
• Romania
1 Oct 15
try give those money away for charity. dogs don't need coats because they have fur. and like you said there are many people who go to sleep hungry
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
1 Nov 12
Dogs are so cute in coats. Poor things get cold just like you and I do. Take care of them.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
1 Nov 12
dogs didn't wear coats 100 years ago, what has changed?
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
2 Nov 12
I still buy little things like that while from time to time helping out the less fortunate. Somethings I'll donate money, clothes, and/or time to help out. The people seem to really appreciate it. While I don't necessarily see a problem with spending $20 on a puffy coat sometimes I look at this world and wonder. How could a man go on ebay and spend thousands of dollars on weird shaped toast meanwhile there are a bunch of people who are hungry and cannot feed their families. Also they're so many rich people who live in big fancy mansions with plenty of extra rooms while others sleep in the streets. People work hard for their money and I believe its ok to reward yourself to an extent but it just seems awfully messed up that people don't care about one another a little more.
@Sindelle (824)
• United States
2 Nov 12
Last year for my birthday someone sent me $100 to buy myself a nice gift. I wanted a fancy computer mouse for playing online games. A close friend of mine was suffering through some hard times and was short on his rent. He was telling me how much he helps his friends and family when they're in trouble but nobody cared to help him. He was about to get thrown on the street. I have never met this man in real life but I've known him for several years since we're both nerds who like to play video games lol. When he told me this story I said to him...you know I was going to buy that mouse I've been talking about forever but how could I do that knowing you're going to be out on the streets. I tend western unioned him the cash as soon as possible. I knew he probably couldn't pay me back but I told him that knowing he was safe at night was a better birthday gift then the silly mouse. He was completely touched. God forbid I ever end up in a situation like that but I pray if I did a good person would lend me a hand as well.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
10 Nov 12
I truly believe Christmas is about giving back. When you know of a family in need, especially with kids, we do try to do something if we can. Even something small is appreciated. And with the economy being the way it is everywhere I am sure there are more people needing it this yr. than before. Even if you bring the homeless a hot cocoa and a sandwich it is more than appreciated for sure.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
3 Nov 12
I regularly give to charity by sorting out my old clothes I don't need any more or any other goods, I take them down to the charity shop, I support cancer research as I would love to see cancer eradicated and a cure found. I also give to the blind and animal rescue centres, there are so many charities, the ones that annoy me are the ones that send you junk mail asking for money, now they've wasted tonnes of money on publishing junk mail that hardly anyone reads and it's also an environmental issue when we are trying to recycle to help our planet. Don't tell my ex about the puffy coat otherwise she'll go out and buy one for her little dog.
@BarBaraPrz (47307)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Nov 12
I don't donate to the large organized charities, but I help where I can. Where do you work?
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Nov 12
i to feel guilty at times but we do have to have some joy in our lives. we can help a little but if we arent rich theres not enough to help a lot. its sad but at my age im not going to be here a lot longer and i do indulge myself of some frivolous things