[RadioAstronomer]

In one example reported last week by The Associated Press, a police officer took a dog from one little boy waiting to get on a bus in New Orleans. ``Snowball! Snowball!'' the boy cried until he vomited. The policeman told a reporter he didn't know what would happen to the dog.

This blows big time. These people have lost everything, and now their pets as well. :-(

Often a pet is regarded as a member of the family.

[GovernmentShrinker]

That one is haunting me too. It was totally unnecessary and the little boy is obviously way too young to philosophize about the relative value of humans and pets. He's human and he matters! Dealing with this little boy in the Astrodome would have been a whole lot easier for everybody if he could have taken his dog on the bus, and been assured at the other end that his dog was safe in a nearby shelter and that he could visit the dog. As it is, he's surely difficult and disruptive.

[Salamander]

Psst....over here;

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1476804/posts

[Lijahsbubbe]

This blows big time. These people have lost everything, and now their pets as well. :-(

How sad. Some people will be fighting depression for a very long time.

[ClancyJ]

When you are old and alone, when you are sick, ignored, lonesome your pet is vital and is adored. They are a blessing from God and they become family and sometimes the best friend in the world.

It is an unneeded cruelty to people who have lost everything in the world to tell them they now have to leave that pet uncared for without food or water and abandon it. Utter cruelty by those who do not understand what pets mean to people that need them.

Look at how many people would not evacuate or go to the shelters because they could not take their pets. So, we have to have helicopters save their lives now.

They get to a shelter and finally get care and FEMA will bring in psychiatrists to help them adjust to their loss. Big deal, that pet would probably help them more than any of the psychiatric babel.

And, a few small animals in those relief centers brings peace and joy and provide a warm, friendly distraction. Which is why many nursing homes have nursing home pets roaming around.

We need to have that policy adjusted a little. People are the primary goal, but there are cases where that pet is just as important to that person than a relative. Why be so harsh?

[proudofthesouth]

Often a pet is regarded as a member of the family.

My dog and cat ARE my family. I would never, ever leave them behind. Heck, I worry about them when we have a thunderstorm or tornado weather and I work only 10 minutes from home.