Agree completely.

An animal is not like a potted plant that "completes" the house collection. They are a giving loving member of the family and should be treated as such.

Your evergreens are nice - yea - it completes your house outside.

And just because you got a dog to complete the new house with the 2.3 kids - doesn't mean you ignore this new member. I see that all the time. Irritates the h**l out of me.

LOL - I'll add to your rant Mike. My dogs have been treated better than some people treat their children. (grin) Certainly spoiled like children. (grin)

I hope some day people stop looking at pets like disposable items. It denegrates us all.

Ewwwwwww - what a downer. . . .

Happy New Year!!!!

Mike.. I totally agree with you!!..I have two a Pomeranian and a Doberman and are the sweetest dogs in the world!

Someone sent me this pic and thought it was adorable!

{{gwi:449719}}

'Dear Lord: Thank you for bringing me to Timmy's house and not to Michael Vick's -AMEN!'

What a cute pic, lol. Here's to hope for all the homeless creatures out there and hope they all find good and loving homes.

I have been volunteering for our local animal welfare org since I was 14 & have seen some terrible things over the years. I have rescued hurt animals from the roadside, been on a boat rescue to get one off an island, went under a building no one else would go under for kittens, found myself in waist deep poison ivy & had the police ask me why I was in a cemetary at 2 in the am shining a flashlight up into the trees (a kitten). I've even ben on the front page of our local paper with an armful of puppies the sheriffs found in a dumpster. I have placed over 330 pets in 20 years with only 6 returns.

You can't save them all, but you can save the ones you come across!

Linda

Along the pet line. I wish that everyone would spay or neuter their pets unless they are serious breeders. I can't stand when I hear someone say that they just want Fido or Fluffy to have one litter for the kids to enjoy. I want to throttle those people. I also think that you should get a pet from the humane society or a rescue group. I remember when I was looking for a dog and went to the local animal shelter. I left in tears. How can someone give up their pet? There were all these beautiful dogs that were so cofused and depressed. It was heartbreaking. For the coming year I wish for health and hapiness for everyone I know. I'd also like to hit the lottery! lol
Karyn

Karyn - yep - I couldn't agree with you more!

All those jerks who let their cats out that aren't spayed or neutered. And the world ends up with tiny ferral kitties that need homes but aren't acclimated to domestic life. And put a bell on your cats - give the birds a chance you idiots!

Or the jerks who have no clue but buy a pure breed dog and want to breed it to make money. Or have just one litter for whatever blah blah.

Ya know what - stupid inbred insecure psychotic neurotic mal-adjusted pure breeds.

Every one of my 3 doggies has been a "used" doggie someone else didn't want.

I wouldn't trade a single moment of their lives for a lifetime with one yapping neurotic ignorant pure bred dog who doesn't know how good they have it.

When I think of all the beautiful dogs that need homes waiting in shelters that would be so grateful to have a good home - and people go to BREEDERS - or those puppy mills - and pay hundreds of dollars - I just lose it.

So what if they're not a pure breeds - they're pure love, and that's all that matters.

Some people prove how insignificant their lives are in their quest for the "pure" breed.

Ack - gawd it makes my heart ache.

Sorry about the rant everyone.

Just to let you know - I include my GRANDMOTHER and her stupid yorkies in that rant. My family is not immune from my wrath.

One lady I know: "I want a lhasa apso"
Me: What? You wanna what?
Lady: Yes, they're only 1,200
Me: OMG. . .

Neighbor has a yapping chuahua - Jake isn't sure he should play with it or kill it.

And what the h**l is up with those stupid cocker spaniels?
Talk about "punt" dogs. . . .(punt!) It's gooooooooood! Scoooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrre!

(sarcastic grin)

I have no use for people who buy dogs to start a breeding service. Only respected, acredited people should be doing that. Not every tom, dick and harry idiot who spends money on an animal.

I'm sorry, I really am. Apologies to those wanting to do that - it's just coming from my heart.

Unless you're humane - and have responsible clientle - you shouldn't be doing it.

That would be like me, who does't know an aurea from a savoleans from a versicolor - and I decide to breed brugs. I'm not qualified.

Apologies if I offended anyone.

Happy New Year.

Mike my wish is same as yours as this seems to have turned into an animal wish. lol People just cannot be too good to animals. I love them so much, I swear if I won the lottery, I'd have a preserve and pay people good money to help me take care of any and all.

If you want to see me show my royal behind you let me see someone mistreat a baby, elderly person or an animal. I will take you down! and I mean immediately! (and I'm not talkin' callin' the law, not at this precise moment *wink*)

Now....Dweeb hugs sweetie! We know what you're saying. I have a Shitz 4 years old. and no I didn't spend the $400 for her, my daughter did and I tried so hard to talk her out of it, it was just crazy. Well she did, and guess who has raised her for the last 3 1/2 years? Yep! And guess what her name is?

SASSY!

lol, and by god she earned it! Spoiled @ss rotten. Don't give her a bowl of water to drink, you get up and get her ice. And don't think about throwing her food on the floor because you will be picking it up later at your convenience. What can I say, I love the ole aggravating hussie. But I do completly understand what you mean.

Funny story, my 1st marriage, I made *the idiot* take me to the pound, I picked out a puppy and honest to god the poor thing had to be the ugliest thing ever born, but I picked him because I knew no one else would have. *the idiot* despised that poor dog. But I loved him so much and when I left *the idiot* 24 years ago, I took my little ugly dog with! True story. And funny thing is....me and the dog were so much happier!!!!!!!!

Sassy

ROTF Sassy!

I fell in love with an Afghan dog someone took to Anti Cruelty Society pound. A total whack job dog. The owners had abused her. She didn't "present" well so no one wanted her. Tall, long hair, blonde - complete nut case.

I looked at her and she put her head against the cage and my hand. I was 21? Around there. Anyway, I wanted her. I still remember the conversation:

ACS: She has psychological problems.
Me: No problem - so do I.
ACS: But she's really difficult. I'll tell you, she's actually quite nutz.
Me: Me too.
ACS: Where will she sleep?
Me: In my bed - of course! Where else?
ACS: And what will you do if you go away for the weekend.
Me: Well she'd go with me of course. Unless dogs weren't allowed - then my parents would babysit. I wouldn't put her in a kennel - I don't like those.
ACS: And who is her primary care giver?
Me: Well me - who else?
ACS: Are you single?
Me: Yes
ACS: Do you work full time?
Me: Yes - but I can afford to give her everything she needs. I work close so I can see her at lunch. And I have a fenced back yard so she can play when I'm not home - she'll go everywhere with me - she can go shopping. . .

By that time, the ACS lady and I were both crying - she and I both knew what was coming. I was single - and "Amanda" (the dog) needed a full time person. She wanted to give Amanda to me - and I wanted that nut job - but because of the rules - I was a single - they couldn't let her be adopted by me.

I was so angry - I asked her what were the odds that "Amanda" was going to be adopted - the ACS lady cried harder. I yelled at her (yes - I made a fool of myself) about not wanting her to even have a shot at a happy home vs what she was headed for!

Needless to say - I stormed out crying and the ACS lady had hiccups from crying.

I adopted another used dog someone posted in the paper a week later. Dad loved him so much - he snatched him from me. (grin) So I adopted another used doggy a couple years later. And then another (currently Jake). Whom I drive home EVERY day to see at lunch - and who had gone EVERYWHERE with me - including shopping. LOL. . . .just like Amanda would have.

Awwwwww . . .they give us long, strange and beautiful rides. Wouldn't trade the rides or their love for the world.

Still think about "Amanda" every now and then - and wish they would have let me give her a better life.

Dweeb that is so similar to what happened when I went to adopt a dog. But first we have the Yorkie problem too. My sister used to breed them. She was a respectable breeder but those aren't dogs! They are rats that bark. lol She takes those furballs with her wherever she goes. She's even snuck them into Broadway shows! It makes me nuts. I'm a huge animal lover but they aren't people and I'm sorry but they don't belong everywhere unless they are service dogs. Rant over. lol

When I decided to become a SAHM I thought it would be a good time to get a dog. The kids were school age and I wanted the company. I'd grown up with German Shepards and knew that I want a shepard mix. I won't go for a pure breed because of the potential genetic problems, even with well bred dogs. I also knew that I wanted to get a dog from the shelter or a rescue group. I visited the shelter and found a great puppy. I had 2 cats at home and one was 28 and no longer received routine vaccinations. My cats are strictly indoor pets and never go out and the young cat was current on her vaccinations. My vet even supplied a letter stating that the vaccines were more harmful and of no benefit to my geriatric cat. Because she wasn't vaccinated they wouldn't adopt to me. Even the shelter employees thought it was assinine and tried to get an exemption. I was so pissed off. Thankfully there were plenty of other people interested in that dog so I'm sure she was eventually adopted but what if she hadn't been so adoptable? I would have provided a perfect home. A house with a fenced yard, a family to love and someone home 24/7. It was infuriating! I also couldn't find a mutt rescue group, only pure breed groups. I finally found an ad in the paper and met this guy at a gas station near Richmond, VA. I handed him$50 and he handed me a dog. It was like a furry drug deal. lol I kind of think of it as a rescue of sorts because I'm sure she would have ended up ferel wandering around some farm in VA. As it was she was from a litter that was born under a trailer and had never been inside a home. I lucked out and she really is the smartest, sweetest dog but I didn't even get to look at her before he had my money and she was on my lap.
Karyn

I adopted a dog from a rescue group and had to go through a grueling adoption process which included a home check. It was very nerve racking process for me. Well about 5 months later the dog mysteriously died. I was too scared to tell the folks what had happened. But our obedience teacher (I am a big advocate for obedience classess, need more for the people than the dog usually) sat me down and talked to me and told me even though she had a short life she had a better life than she would have had she died with her litter mates (they were abused). So our next dog we got we went to the high kill shelter here in town and I swear my daughter picked the ugliest sickest dog she could find (and she was on her last day before being put down) That dog was flea infested, starved half to death, had kennel cough and worms. That was 5 years ago and now she is happy and very devoted to my daughter and my daughter to her. She sits and waits by daughters bed room door when she isnt home and is happy as a lark when she comes through the door. Since then we have added 3 others. The last being the devil dog and I think God sent her to me to tell me enough is enough. Though I wouldnt mind another cat in the house. I love them all they each have thier own personality and I couldnt imagine my life without a one of them.

Mary

Okay I have to chime in here,I HATE the bad rap the pit bulls get,there are a lot of towns that have banned them around here,it is not the dogs fault it is the way they are raised,I know some people use these dogs as fighters but again that is people not the dogs.My son got me a dog from a shelter 6 years ago,a pit bull,bless her heart she has saved my life twice,really saved my life had it not been for her I would have died 5 years ago,I was in a boating accident,the prop got my leg,all but cut it off,I was knocked out Tootie my hero who had also been thrown from the boat,found me when I surfaced,I came to enough to know she was there she swam back to the capsized boat with me hanging on to her colar,I held on to the boat till help got there,when the rescue squad first got there they could not even get a bp reading and pulse rate was 22,I had almost bled out,after a 4 month stay in the hospital,I went home for a week,I developed a bad infection in the leg,went back to the hospital,they had to debre my leg,meaning they had to cut away the flesh where it had turned black,and started the healing process all over,6 more months on a wound vac,still praying I wasn't gonna lose my leg,and now 5 years later,I still have my leg and my hero,Tootie.My son says that is the best 50.00 dollars he has ever spent,and she loves the grand babies,if they take a nap Tootie lays beside them until they wake up,and while they are sleeping,no one and, I mean no one bothers those babies.I am sorry I started to ramble but it really bothers me that people judge a dog by the breed,and that is so unfair,Okay I will hush about all this,love you guys,Happy New Year.
Bonnie

{{gwi:449718}}

I agree that it's the owner and not the dog but I will admit that I am wary of pits. I know it's unfair but I've had or close friends have had some bad experiences with them. These were rescue dogs and I'm sure that the problems stemmed from their original environment. I will also say that I've met some wonderfully behaved super friendly pit bulls but I do steer clear when I see one. I can see how people react to Bailey if they don't know her. They shy (or run lol) away and I look at them like they are nuts because I know she's a marshmallow but she is a shepard/doberman mix and people are scared of her just because of the breed. I can say for sure that I've met more high strung little yippy dogs then anything and it was a damn good thing that they were so dinky!
Karyn

Lol Karyn,I have seen some itty bitty dogs that had awful attitudes if Tootie had that kind of personality I would be scared too,lol.Us and our "Babies".I think it is just plain common sense to be wary of dogs you dont't know,you never know how a dog will react to a stranger,I myself would never approach a dog I don't know be it large or small.
Bonnie

LOL Karyn - oh man - I choked on my coffee!

Fur ball drug deal!

Good for you!

Yes - and the shelters, I know they have rules that they have to maintain high standards because the dogs came from bad situations, etc.

But I wish they see through them sometimes for some common sense.

Jake went with me shopping and everything - but not in the STORE - he went for the ride. And he's been camping, and body surfing, etc.

Mary: The ugliest sickest. . .ROTF! Isn't that the way? And they're the most loving beautiful animals.

Bonnie: Tootie looks so smoochable laying on that bed!

Man how they just give so much!

ok ok .... guess everyone has a pet here! I wish for a Bengal kitten for my mother!

{{gwi:449721}}

Barry they are gorgeous. How come pure bred cats don't seem to suffer from as many recessive genetic problems as the dogs? Is it because dogs have been more intensly inbred? This question came up during a conversation with a friend last night.
Karyn

OMG!!! every Wed. they have this thing on the radio.. "the pet of the week".. The station was going to pay the shelter fees to get a good home for this young heeler.. Needed a ranch and a family...LOL I called WINNER!!! So I make the 1 hr drive to the shelter.. 3 hrs 27 pages a physical exam.. I get the puppy.. I could have adopted a child from a 3rd world country easier.. I get the dog home she is sooo sweet .. a little kennel cough no prob.. then came the seizers the %$^#@#n dog was eat up with distemper..I have other dogs... I have to PAY to have the baby put down(cried for 2 days) then I have to have all of my other dogs revaccinated.. YUP.. I was one angry white woman! and broke...I no longer do the shelter but God bless the rest of ya who do... DH wouldn't let me go kick that B's @ass that sent that dog out and infected how many others at the shelter in the process.. OOOO I am still pissed over that...
Kylie

Oh Kylie - I'm soooooo sorry.

That poor baby.

I've never gone back to a shelter again. My doggies I rescued were actually saved from GOING to the shelters.

I can't go to shelters, either. I'd come home with every dog I could get my hands on.

If I ever have another doggie - I'll go to a rescue place who does "placements" - not a shelter.

I don't ever want to fight for a dog ever again only to be turned down. Hurts my heart too much.

oh Kylie how terrible, you would think that if someone was activly attempting to place a dog they would make sure it was in good health. I did do the shelter thing and I knew what I was in for when we got our sick little puppy. I kept trying to get my DD to get a cute little boarder puppy that looked healthy but no she wanted the ugly, sickly, coward down dog. She just cried all the way through the shelter saying she needs me. So I guess if you go in knowing what is ahead of you that is fine. But to have some one place a dog that they have not had vetted is something entirely different.

The county ASPCA knowingly adopted a sick cat to my Mom last summer. It was a mess. We've both adopted cats from the shelter in the past with no problems, not this last time. My Mom didn't want to take it back to the shelter because she knew that it would immediately be put down so she had her vet treating it. It never recovered and eventually did have to be euthanized. That was after the cat bit my sister. My sister ended up on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks. I got my cat from Metro Ferals which is a local rescue group.
Karyn