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Pets As Friends & Family

Discussion in 'Pets & Critters' started by Ken Anderson, May 10, 2016.

  1. Jacob Petersheim

    Jacob Petersheim Very Well-Known Member
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    Oh, I know. I'm just cranky. But something about "doggy car seats" and outfits makes my eyes roll so hard they may fall out.
     
    #106
  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    I get that. I'm also sick of the fake "service animals" and entitled idiots taking their dogs to the grocery store or restaurant. I remember when the health department would actually enforce those rules.
     
    #107
  3. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    We have gotten to the extreme in consumerism in all areas, including pets. So much worthless crap from China for sale everywhere and people buy it. I wonder if it is contagion from woke-ism.
    I have gone to minimalism and don't by anything anymore except food items we don't produce. We might need the money with inflation as it is going. I have accumulated enough stuff so there is nothing I need to buy.
    If you think about canned cat food, a tiny can costs more than one of human tuna fish now. I cooked up some hamburger and gave some to my barn cat (rescued from a small blizzard recently) I thought how extravagant it was but then, in doing the math, figured it didn't cost more than canned cat food. And what is in canned pet food might be why they get cancer so much now compared to years ago.
     
    #108
  4. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    We always have leftovers that the cats and dogs get to eat, and sometimes, I plan it that way on purpose. Yesterday, we had the last of the turkey and vegetables and rice cooked in the thick turkey broth. Poodle enjoyed his and I gave the cats a bowl when it had cooled down enough for them to eat, and they were enjoying it, too.
    At least i know that it is real food and what is in it, and it is not a can full of chemicals like some of the canned pet food is.

    I do not see any problem with people treating their pets as family. Once we are older, no kids to raise, and we have a companion pet, it is natural that we would care about them a lot and want them to have the best life possible.
    People are going to spend time and money on something that they like, whether that something is their dog, a giant television set and speaker system, a new car, or just going out for dinner or traveling. As far as i am concerned, whatever makes a person’s life happier and does not hurt anyone else, that is fine with me.
     
    #109
  5. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Couldn't have said it Beter myself. I agree 100%.
     
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  6. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Looking back on my post, I see I made it clear, " I couldn't have said it better myself," made me laugh.:p
     
    #111
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  7. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    I totally agree and couldn't care less what other people spend their money on. We only live once so people should do what makes them happy if they can.

    I cooked dog food for 9 years for my little Harry; always fresh chicken or beef with vegetables and a little rice, and usually a can of pumpkin mixed into a weeks worth of food. Unfortunately he died of cancer anyway. I'm certain that the vaccines (required by law) and other chemicals (flea shampoo, etc.) are what killed him.
     
    #112
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2024
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  8. Jack Roberts

    Jack Roberts Very Well-Known Member
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    A pet can be a friend, I believe. I also believe that you might be your pet's dinner, if you die and your "friend" gets hungry because you stopped feeding it. Fish, birds, even hamsters make great pets too. And they aren't as likely to consume your remains as a cat or a dog might. Whoever said that money can't buy love or happiness likely never had a pet in their days.

    (Save any ire you may have for me, please. I wrote this mainly as satire. Still, the irony is that there's a grain of truth there too.) ;)
     
    #113
  9. Jacob Petersheim

    Jacob Petersheim Very Well-Known Member
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    I suppose a part of it might be the way we've unnaturally extended life for so many.

    Oldies can no longer have kids. Spouses have often passed on ahead of their partners. Even grandchildren are now looking forward to Social Security themselves. Adoption is impractical and unlikely for obvious reasons. But biology has people wired for parenting and social companionship.

    Animal slavery is a possible answer, since buying a kid isn't legal. And dogs and cats have been bred to stay infantilized and slavishly devoted most of their lives, especially dogs.

    Maybe this will change again once solar-powered kidbots get cheap enough to buy or lease.:p
     
    #114
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  10. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    Did you see the video of the pony on the plane? The nutcase said it was her security animal.
    Even worse the airline went for it. If you're that far gone you should be institutionalized. And your pony needs to be 'pasteurized' before its as nutty as you are.
     
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  11. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    No, I didn't. I can't believe an airline would allow that, especially considering that they weigh carry on luggage. :rolleyes: Since I no longer fly I don't really care how badly people behave on an airplane, but I don't want to see a pile of dog crap in front of the meat case at Kroger.
     
    #116
  12. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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  13. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    When I did pony parties, I brought a pony to people's homes to give rides. Thunder did whatever I asked. I think I was HIS support animal. One nut case lady had me bring her up her steps and into her living room after I warned her he was not housebroken. He might have gone on a plane if I asked him to but he would not have fit well into the seats.
    Thunder held it in the house. Who cleaned up the plane?
     
    #118
  14. Lynda Bennett

    Lynda Bennett Active Member
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    Love horses and pony's we had a Pacer/ Trotter that was going to go to the doggers.as he was finished racing, so we gave him a home he was beautiful, 17 hands high, and the most gentle old horse,we had him (Henry) for 13 years, and he taught us so much in the time we had him he died at age 26, unfortunately from a deadly snake bite.
     
    #119
  15. Marie Mallery

    Marie Mallery Veteran Member
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    No robots for me, I like living beings. Since time began, dogs and other animals have always been a part of people's lives.
    Dogs help protect you.
     
    #120
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