[George W. Bush]

I don't mean to be cold. Maybe the fact that I live on a farm with a lot of animals gives me a different perspective. I'm just more aware of animal health issues and other choices we make than some people are. But for me, there is a certain point where rational thinking overcomes sentiment.

Perhaps I get a little irritated when I see so many pet nuts buying expensive operations and health care plans for their pets. It's pretty strange and financially irrational.

[Hodar]

Oh, I certainly see your point. Growing up on a farm (S.Dak) we had tons of cats and a couple dogs. They were pets, in the sense that they would come when called, and we fed them and played with them. But they were 'tools' in that they had jobs to do. The dogs helped herd cattle, and watched the farm while we weren't home. The cats kept the mouse/rat population under control

Sure, you end up liking the animals, but they are animals. It's a much more 'realistic' point of view.

However, in the city, the pet is what enthusiastically welcomes you home everyday. It's your companion, and you come to love the animal as a family member. You live with it, sleep next to it, exercise, and eat with it. And the animal becomes more than merely an animal in your eyes. It becomes a person, at least my dog is to me.

That's why when you read about a scumbag killing a pet, to hurt the owner; my first response would be to empty a clip into the person. Throw my dog into traffic, my response would be the same as if you had done the same to my child, or grandchild. Is it right? No, probably not. But it is, what it is.

[apackof2]

buying expensive operations and health care plans for their pets

Well I guess in America we can spend our money any way we want
Some people spend theirs on booze, cigaretts, gambling, porn, some spend their trying to help a loved one

[ZULU]

At some point, one reaches a limit as to the cost of animal care.

But pets are not livestock on a farm. They are members of the family and one gets quite close to them. Dogs and cats more than any other animals are capable of drawing closer to many human beings than human beings are capable of drawing close to each other.



"Eulogy of The Dog
By: George G. Vest


Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us---those who we trust with our happiness and our good name---may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its clouds upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world---the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous---is his dog.


Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace, and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.

Compiled from eye witness accounts of a trial summary delivered by George Graham Vest in 1870 at the old courthouse in Warrensburg, MO during a trial about the shooting of a farmer’s dog named “Old Drum” by a neighbor. "

[M. Thatcher]

Perhaps I get a little irritated when I see so many pet nuts buying expensive operations and health care plans for their pets. It's pretty strange and financially irrational.

It's an amazing thing, freedom. People can actually choose to spend their money on whatever the hell they want. Whether it irritates you, or you find it strange and irrational, or not.

[Roughneck]

Maybe I should not idulge myself by getting into this, but I think Dubya has a legitimate point about over-spending on animals and sentiment about animals. Even though I am a cat/animal lover from way back.

On vacation I call the "sitter" to see how the cat is doing. Instructions always include: "If Chester (the cat) gets sick, #1 take him to vet SPARE NO EXPENSE #2 Call me, I'll come home. I worry that something will happen to him while I'm gone and that I would not forgive myself for it.I think I'm pretty idiotic about it to tell you the truth.

Right now, I want to take in a stray, but ole chester gets worked up about it too easily. I say "who the heck is the boss around here anyway?" Ole chester just gives me that look that says I ought to know darn well who runs the place.

Yep, I'm sentimental and I spend to much on the old cat. Wish I had the sense and perspective of the farmer/rancher who knows an animal for what it is - an animal.