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To me, a pet is a frill or luxury item. It's not a necessity. I know people who spend thousands on their multiple pets yet fret and moan about money. Well, it's not a necessity to own a pet. People in other countries don't own pets like Americans do. If your finances are truly stretched thin then make necessary cuts in spending and spend only on necessities.
Agreed. I have seen people that can barely afford their own care, and they have multiple animals that they are struggling to pay for. I don't know when we got so insanely into the "pet mentality". I had cats most of my life, but I would never put them, or any pet, over my own family or myself for that matter. I won't have any more. Retirement to me means less responsibility, not more. I have neither the time, the desire, nor the patience to deal with pets in my home. And I darn sure am not interested in the exorbitant costs of care now.
Agreed. I have seen people that can barely afford their own care, and they have multiple animals that they are struggling to pay for. I don't know when we got so insanely into the "pet mentality". I had cats most of my life, but I would never put them, or any pet, over my own family or myself for that matter. I won't have any more. Retirement to me means less responsibility, not more. I have neither the time, the desire, nor the patience to deal with pets in my home. And I darn sure am not interested in the exorbitant costs of care now.
Well, you don't sound like an animal lover, and that's fine. To many pet owners, they're family; to you, they're not. You feel about pets like I feel about eating out. Different things (or, in this case, beings) are important to different people. Viva la difference!
Well, you don't sound like an animal lover, and that's fine. To many pet owners, they're family; to you, they're not. You feel about pets like I feel about eating out. Different things (or, in this case, beings) are important to different people. Viva la difference!
I agree - we are all different. I actually do love animals (my first choice was to become a vet LOL!), but I do not want them in my own home, and never have understood the "they are my family" thing (although I know many people that feel that way). If others can afford them and can properly take care of them, that's great.
Agreed. I have seen people that can barely afford their own care, and they have multiple animals that they are struggling to pay for. I don't know when we got so insanely into the "pet mentality". I had cats most of my life, but I would never put them, or any pet, over my own family or myself for that matter. I won't have any more. Retirement to me means less responsibility, not more. I have neither the time, the desire, nor the patience to deal with pets in my home. And I darn sure am not interested in the exorbitant costs of care now.
Well, maybe because we are older.......we are considering more carefully our places in heaven.
Pets give you unconditional love, help with depression, are entertaining and dogs make you walk. Besides my real children they are the most important thing in my life. People that don’t want pets shouldn’t have them. Because I live in a condo now I can only have 2 dogs. A Maltese was abandoned at my groomer so I took her in until I found her the perfect home. That felt great. I also help people.
I love animals. I currently share my space with a cat and we're living a nomadic lifestyle.
At first I was worried about how she would do, but she's proved to be an amazing traveler. She's funny and quirky and I hope we have a long time together.
Blue Buffalo has no preservatives. When it expires, it must be thrown out because it mold occurs. In 2016 and 2017, many dogs died from moldy Blue Buffalo.
It's also grain free which my vet is totally against.
Wow, good to know! My kitties wouldn't eat their dry food when I tried it. Why is your vet against grain-free? I don't have to feel guilty if I don't always give them grain-free?
The mentality has really increased the last 10 to 15 to 20 years.
It's because U.S. society is lonely sociologically, psychologically, and culturally.
Much more lonely than many other societies in the world.
Perhaps and then again, perhaps some of us have just always been like that, all the way from "Elly May" to......"The more I know about Men, the more I love my dog/cat" (that is, people do tend to be not that trustworthy).
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