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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. "

But pets are not livestock on a farm. They are members of the family and one gets quite close to them.

Please don't assume that my animals are just 'livestock' even if that term is technically correct and their lives are only possible because of economic utility to the society at large.

Rural people get very attached to their animals and herds.

Part of the difference between me and others here is that I have a herd outlook, not a pet outlook. Though I have very personal relationships with my cat and horses and a certain emotional attachment for the cows and their welfare as well. You just can't help it even if you try to be a cold bastard. They're not just some bunch of meat machines. They love, they have joy, they interact with you, they're smarter than most people think. Even a cow.