Posted on 05/02/2013 2:40:48 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
SALEM, Ore. - Tough economic times in recent years have led to heartbreaking decisions for many pet owners. But now, there may be more help on the way.
Marissa Jenkins' 6-year-old Dachshund, Olivia, is more than a dog.
"She's been part of our family, she's definitely not a dog," Jenkins said. "She's a kid to us."
Recently, the Salem, Ore., family welcomed a new addition - and a new challenge.
"My husband lost his job in February and we just had a baby in December, and so all the costs of having a baby and a dog and a family is adding up," she said.
Now on food stamps, they turned to a non-profit for help to feed their dog because food stamps cannot be used for pet food....
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
I remember when I was little in 70’s,there weren’t such things as pet food, the family opted to feed the pets off the table. Hey, if it is good enough for us,it should be good enough for our dogs/cats. Well, they never got sick back then that I remembered. and even if they did without me knowing, I suspect that they roam outside and cure themselves by eating grass and puking. We also don’t have vets back then.
Now, i treat my pets better than certain sub-humans like liberals.
“My husband lost his job in February and we just had a baby in December, and so all the costs of having a baby and a dog and a family is adding up,” she said.
I hear you; usually when the (human) baby comes along priorities get re-aligned; I guess not in this case. I work with many older women (55+) who made poor life choices and now have pets they treat as children. Some have ex-husbands, those with children had one who already moved out and on with their lives, and they are the loneliest and bitterest people you’ll ever meet. Many of the younger women are foreigners with traditional families, and when one suggested a company picnic with activities for the children she was attacked by one of the old maids:”Sure, if we can bring our dogs!”
What a freak show Western Civilization has turned in to; the Aztecs and Incas we enlightened with Christianity are the only ones living it now.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and there was pet food back then, but our dogs mostly ate scraps or scraps mixed with pet food. But a pet is a luxury item, and should not be paid for with food stamps or other taxpayer subsidies. These are all first world problems. Ask an African, South American or Asian if pets should be getting welfare and they might lock you away in the loony bin.
I attended a United Methodist church with my former wife (what an eye-opener that was!) and they couldn’t have Mother’s Day festivities because it’d hurt the feelings of those women who never had kids. No, I’m not making that up!
I absolutely believe that; many of the people who made those choices years ago now demand that the rest of us respect those choices. I think this is really coming to a head because a lot of these women realize that without the tax deductions that come with children (and in many cases home ownership), they are subsidizing the “browning of America”; the ones I work with seethe at the number of younger Hispanic women working there (married or not) that have babies.
I was reading an article about how offensive it is for these older feminazis when people say things like “I have to get home; my kids are waiting for me”. Apparently this is offensive to them because they have people waiting for them as well (just not children). Hopefully their sensitivity dies with them.
This bothers me to know end. I personally know women like this - who don’t even have a place to stay yet have all the pets.
“Ask an African, South American or Asian if pets should be getting welfare and they might lock you away in the loony bin.”
I went to school with people from all over the world, and 2 things that struck them were 1) how many fat people live in America, and 2) how many pets Americans had. In many of their countries, pets (non-working animals) were owned only by the wealthy.
You need free market capitalism to have a growing, prosperous and FREE society.
A for profit private business is actually accountable to the bottom line and usually their customers, government isn't
To think that a corrupt government goon can manage the million of transaction of the free market is ridiculous. But all democrats believe this :that government/socialism
works
Actually a corrupt government goon couldn't even manage one business much less the millions in the free market. let Obama, Napolitino, Frientstien, Janet Jackson lee( of the EPA) let any of these goons try to start and make a private business suceed. it would be a joke
No sympathy. Would rather marry one of those ladies if I had any choice to it. Rightly ordered priorities are important.
“I personally know women like this - who don’t even have a place to stay yet have all the pets.”
They are reaping what they’ve sown. I work with people taking care of elderly parents, have personally been involved with caring for sick relatives, and I couldn’t imagine facing old age without the love and security that comes with being part of a tribe (of humans).
Well, I’m fat and I was reminded of that yesterday when I tripped and fell crossing the street to get to the VA Clinic. Badly hurt my hands, arms and nose, including a bad nosebleed that lasted the rest of the day. If I were still 175 lbs, I doubt that it would’ve been that big a deal.
My wife is from South America; we have 0 pets and a few kids. We had little pets that don’t cost much (goldfish, lizards, guinea pig), but I’d never spend the money on a large, long-term pet the way others do (unless it was a dog for security). Basically if I had that much extra money I’d either have another child or adopt one; there is a need, and when co-workers tell me about their pets’ health plans while people have no coverage it makes me sick (and I know vets are expensive).
I’m fat as well (though 20 years ago in college I probably was 175), and it does make injuries worse (I’m working on it, but it’s hard). Now that the weather is warming up it is easier to get out hiking; otherwise cutting grass and shoveling snow are my sole exercise.
Speedy recovery!
You can always take that cat food and eat it yourself if things are really bad. Tastes good on rye toast
At least basic feeding and pet care is definitely cheaper than what medical expenses for obese related diseases are costing the county (never mind the 3rd world !) — and unlike childcare, it is being entirely paid out of pocket !
“At least basic feeding and pet care is definitely cheaper than what medical expenses for obese related diseases are costing the county (never mind the 3rd world !) — and unlike childcare, it is being entirely paid out of pocket!”
True enough!
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