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How Could You?

Tula_Montage said:
... Duty/responsibility seems to fit those who see pets as a burdon. ...
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Seeing something as a duty or responsibility is not the same as seeing it as a burden.

I have a responsibility to provide all my animals with the best care possible, just like parents (should) have a responsibility to care for their children. A responsibility can bring as much joy as it can anything else. It just depends on how you view it.

My critters can't care for themselves - they aren't equipped for it any more. By taking them on for their companionship, I accept responsibility for their well-being. But I definitely don't feel burdened by it.

Or, at least, that's my interpretation of Savvy's post. :wavey:
 
Kitty said:
Seeing something as a duty or responsibility is not the same as seeing it as a burden.

I have a responsibility to provide all my animals with the best care possible, just like parents (should) have a responsibility to care for their children. A responsibility can bring as much joy as it can anything else. It just depends on how you view it.

My critters can't care for themselves - they aren't equipped for it any more. By taking them on for their companionship, I accept responsibility for their well-being. But I definitely don't feel burdened by it.

Or, at least, that's my interpretation of Savvy's post. :wavey:
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I suppose that is very true... But I still woudn't consider it my duty to love a pet. I love them and care for them because I chose to... The same way that parents love their children unconditionally. Does that make sense?
 
That was a really good read. Thanks for posting that - really made me think. Several of my pets are rescues, I just don't understand how someone can just abandon an animal.

Kitty said:
Seeing something as a duty or responsibility is not the same as seeing it as a burden.

I have a responsibility to provide all my animals with the best care possible, just like parents (should) have a responsibility to care for their children. A responsibility can bring as much joy as it can anything else. It just depends on how you view it.

My critters can't care for themselves - they aren't equipped for it any more. By taking them on for their companionship, I accept responsibility for their well-being. But I definitely don't feel burdened by it.

Or, at least, that's my interpretation of Savvy's post. :wavey:
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Mine too, Kitty. I absolutely love caring for my animals - in a way, I love the responsibility of it. Responsibilities are good for us, especially for young children. I certainly can't view responsibility as a negative thing.

I see your point too, Elle, though I think mentioning love is getting slightly off track. Savvy didn't mention a duty to love. Even if you don't love the animal, you are still responsible for its wellbeing if it's in your care. If I were to suddenly get bored of my snakes ( :rolleyes: ) I'd still care for them, because I accepted that responsibility when I purchased them.

I believe we should love our pets, but if someone doesn't, the animal's wellbeing isn't necessarily going to suffer because of that.
 
terry fielder said:
thats not 100% true when my dog was a puppy i ran her over (in my wheelchair) and now she still ignores me. no matter what i do she will not come near me even if im not in my chair and i have offered her treats and she will not take them from me but she will from anyone else including other people in wheelchairs. it makes me mad becausei dont know what to do :shrugs:
oh well i move in to my own flat soon :)
ps shes 10 now
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Wow that really surprises me! My sister used to treat our dog Sam terribly when she was very young, from putting curlers in his fur to shoving pencils up his nose(!) - he never batted an eyelid and stood guard over us the same way he always did.
 
Yes, the story made me cry, but it's nothing compared to what I see on a daily basis as a veterinary technician. Dogs and cats are considered disposable by too many people. The no-kill shelters in my area are a bit of a joke. They do some good, but not what they should. Every time I've tried to place an animal there, they say they have no room. Well, morons, if you didn't keep every feline leukemia positive cat and every 18 year old nasty dog, none of which will EVER be adopted, you would have room for this lovely 18 month old spayed and vaccinated, obedience trained purebred golden retriever whose owner just died in a car crash. Oh, I forgot, everyone thinks that the animal HOSPITAL I work at is a shelter where every unwanted pet can be dumped off at in the middle of the night, given free veterinary care and then cared for until we can find them all a good home. The pitbull I found at the front door a few weeks ago that was literally skin and bones, that had multiple, severely infected bite wounds and could barely stand on the blanket that her "loving owner" provided for her comfort was a perfect candidate for the special, loving treatment we could provide. We did the best thing...we euthanized her. And what really gets my goat...that dog's "owner" is sleeping soundly as he/she thinks they did a wonderful thing because they put the dog in the care of an animal hospital.
 
Crying here! I will NEVER understand how people can have throw away pets! My daughters volunteer at our local humane society every saturday for 8 - 9 hours and see people all the time bringing in animals that obviously don't fit into thier "Life style" anymore. It's so sad, I can't comprehend. When I had to put my shepherd to sleep 2 years ago after she had been with us for 14 years I felt guilty even then. But I kept my promise to her years before and was the last person she saw as she slipped away.

PLEASEEEEE anyone who read that and has an animal that doesn't work for them try to find them a good home. That is the least they deserve!
 
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