I am just coming into this thread at this point... I literally got nauseous when I read the Drudge story about a child who probably had lost anything being separated from his pet. That's just not...American. What are they doing with those animals? I've been OK reading all the upsetting things that are happening but the idea of this little kid crying "Snowball" as they rip his pet away is making me ill.
Did that really happen?! If it did, it's less that human.
Sadly "Snowball" would require resources that could keep a human being alive. Harsh reality will strenghten this child. This is definately not the time in these devastated areas to go wobbly on whether animals or humans live. Once things have stabilized, other puppies will be around. Nothing replaces a human life. Ever.