Pets are not "disposable items"!
By shira0524
@shira0524 (482)
United States
August 17, 2010 9:52am CST
Yesterday I worked at the reception desk at the Veterinary Hospital where I work (Some days I do that, the other days I assist the vets). I am very annoyed and upset at people in general a lot of times because of the phone calls we sometimes get and yesterday was another one of those days. I took three separate phone calls from people wanting to put their cats to sleep because (in two cases) the cats had been allowed to "untrain" themselves to the litter box or (the other case) the cats were ripping up a rug and sofa. It really makes me angry because there are solutions for all of these problems! If people paid better attention to their animals and their psychological well-being as well as their physical needs maybe they wouldn't have these problems, but too many people act as if having a pet is like having a "thing" that you can simply throw away when you get tired of it or if it gets old and starts to need more attention.
This really upsets me so much! My two dogs are my children, just about, and one of them has her share of problems but I would never, ever consider putting her to sleep! I will find solutions to my pets' problems as they are a member of my family...
So what's your opinion?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
18 Aug 10
There are a lot of human kids who are problematic. Why can't we just put them to sleep or at least dump them in a shelter and let someone else deal with the problem. If no one wants to adopt them, they we put the kid to sleep.
1 person likes this
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
24 Aug 10
I know my animals have feelings. My dog gets hopeful when I put on my shoes. I don't wear shoes in the house. If I pick up the leash, she knows it's her turn to go out. She's smart and wonderful.
My cats get hopeful when I pick up a can. They hope it's treat food for them. 99% of the time the can is for them. Once in a while it's tomato paste, but that's about the only canned stuff I eat, so they most cans are yummy's for them.
If one animal cries, the others respond. I had to give a cat a bath once because he was covered in poo poo. He mad quite a racket. My dog went ballistic crying trying to save kitty from whatever bad was happening.
They feel, they bond and they care. Look at this video. It is a perfect example of one dog caring about another,
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=42233912302&ref=mf
1 person likes this
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
28 Aug 10
Oh wow. That video is amazing! Brought a tear to my eye for sure. Perfect example of just how aware animals really are, and how emotional they can be. Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
24 Aug 10
Yes, exactly! While I completely see your point in this, it's sad to know that there are so many people who view their animals as "objects" and not as living, feeling, emotional beings that have rights as well.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
19 Sep 10
It is often so sad that people can think this way. What would they do if these were children with problems? Would they do this to them if they were really sick? I cannot imagine doing something like this with our dog, and personally people who do this with animals should Never be allowed to be pet owners as well. I guess we can only hope.
1 person likes this
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
21 Sep 10
I agree with you 100%. It's really heartbreaking. I'm glad there are at least a lot of people who are better than that, however.
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
18 Aug 10
Once they become part of the family, it's hard not to. I realize that different cultures view the owning of pets differently, but I'm talking about people in my own country who are doing these things and it's really disheartening.
Thanks for the reply and I hope your kitties do well for you, and live long, happy lives. :)
1 person likes this
@shira0524 (482)
• United States
24 Aug 10
That's great that you adopted an "older" animal. Mine two dogs were 6 years old when I adopted them as well. Not older, per se, but definitely not puppies and I accepted them with whatever problems would pop up in their lives. Thank you for being a caring pet owner. :)
1 person likes this
