Animals do not matter in the face of the immediate life or death of humans.
This is true of any person, be they conservative, independent, or liberal.
We are stewards of animals and have dominion over them. They must suffer for our good when necessary.
Apologies for sounding harsh, but my animals - my babies - are more important to me than you are.
The vast majority of humanity is less important to me than my dog and cats.
I will do whatever it takes to get them safely with me and my man.
You completely missed the point. It's not the animals in question, but the emotional attachment that people have to the animals. I'm not sure I could abandon my animals to get on the bus, I think I'd risk it and walk out with my dogs in tow.
Hey, there are animals I would prefer to spend my life with instead of some of the poor excuses that call themselves human.
I would NOT leave my animals. They are important and beloved to me and to my family. They are loyal, loving and would give their lives for us any day of the week. Do you think I would leave behind a loving pet? If so, you are not only mistaken you are also dreaming and...you don't know true pet lovers and families.
The Almighty gave mankind the dominion over the creatures of creation, but that doesn't give us license for cruelty. Try reading "Balaam's Donkey", Numbers, Ch-22.
Rescue in a disaster is not a zero sum game, it is a game of priorities, but you have reduced it to one of "worthiness". Truthfully, if I had the choice of saving the thoroughbred, "Secretariat", were he still alive and yourself, by your own accounting I would be correct to loosen my grip upon your hand and let you slip into the void and save the horse. The horses worth would save many lives and buy food and medicine. You, on the other hand would be worth.......? Well, just what would you be worth, besides judgement?!
I'm sorry, but I cannot believe in any god that would demand that of me. If God give me the gift of an animal to love and care for, there is no way I would abandon that animal even in the face of such adversity as this terrible hurricane. I would kill the animal myself rather than leave it alone to fend for itself in that nightmare.
It is entirely possible to do both at the same time -- save people and save animals. I saw several such rescues today alone, where helicopters picked up both people and their dogs off roofs.
Perhaps that is true as a concept. For your sake, however, never make me choose between you and my dog.