Where do you draw the line?
I love animals. I really do. We have lots of animals here. Last count, I believe was 41, oh wait Papaw bought a bull, so that would be 42. I believe we treat our animals kindly. It makes me sick to my stomach to see animals abused or neglected. But is also bothers me to see people spend 1000's of dollars on pets that they treat like (or better than) people.
This post may get me in trouble, but in my mind animals do not have equal status to people. Animals serve a purpose. Here, animals are companions, recreation, weed eaters, protectors, and sources of food. They are loved. They are well cared for, but they are not children to be doted on.
So, where do you draw the line? Organic dog food? Pet day care? An air conditioned pet house? A pet spa? Long term medicines and surgeries? Where does taking good care of animals cross into just too much?
I guess if people have the money to spend on their animals like this who am I to judge? But I don't think I will ever understand it.
Labels:
frugal thoughts
10 comments:
I absolutely agree with you - animals are our companions and they serve our purposes, they deserve a good, comfortable life and being taken care of when they need it and in a way they need it. Pet hairdresser? Pet spa? Do they really need it? I doubt it. People just try to turn the animals into human copies, out of boredom or loneliness, I think.
I know a woman who has a cat with diabeties. She doesn't even go on vacation with her family because she has to stay home and give the cat its insulin. I personally could not put my life on hold for a cat. I think if it got to that point with Buddy we would have to consider puttung him to sleep.
Amen!
I completely agree with you! I think the amount of money that is spent on some of these pets could be put to much better use.
awww, is that one of the new bunnies? so cute!
We have a responsibility to care for our animals in the best way we are able. I'm sure these animals enjoy some of these luxuries. If a person can afford to send their animal to a pet spa, then why not? I can't afford these luxuries for myself or my animals, but I do treat my animals as good as I am able. I provide my 5 dogs, 4 cats, 12 chickens and 23 guineas with clean water, healthy food and a comfortable environment. I spend time with them daily. They give me so much more in return. Does this mean that I don't care about people or don't do my share to help others in this world? Of course not.
Amen! We have none, not cause we don't like them...just aren't at the place where we should or could. Sometimes I get tired of having my daughter on my hip...not to mention a pet in a purse! Ha!
I don't have the time or the money to even have a pet. It seems a little ridiculous. However, if you don't have kids like Oprah then maybe that is the only way to express that maternal love.
I was reading the other day in a magazine at the doctors office that there is a whole new line of hotels that cater to people traveling with animals. There was a picture of Jessica Simpson, and her little fluffy dog. Like I said, I don't have the time or money to even begin to understand this.
I provide a nice safe and freindly envoirnment for my animals, and they provide for me in return...meat.
I agree with you. Our chickens don't have names because, as we told the children when we got them, they're not pets. We treat them well and we're fond of them but when they stop laying eggs they'll quickly become dinner.
However I would buy organic pet food. I support the organic industry because it's a method of farming which does less damage to the environment. The run-off of agricultural fertilisers into rivers causes a dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico the size of Connecticut. There are other ocean dead zones around the world as well.
I also buy organic cotton clothing. Not because it's better clothing, but because it hasn't damaged the environment in its production. So I'd buy organic pet food if I had pets (I'm angling for a cat, but my husband isn't keen).
For more about the dead zones, see:
http://www.bean-sprouts.blogspot.com/2007/07/dead-zone-in-gulf-of-mexico-set-to.html
Post a Comment