Treating animals....like humans

[Kay_Cee]

If I was sitting on the sofa and the cat wanted to sit in the same place, my mother would make me move.

 

[1990Domer]

I’m very much in the same camp as your husband and I sympathize.

I’ve been sent to the hospital more then once, throughout my life, because of a triggered asthma attach due to severe allergies to pet dander.

Some houses I go into are okay and I can tolerate being there for a couple of hours before I start to feel itchy and stuffy.
Other houses I know immediately there is a dog, cat or rabbit because I feel like I’m being suffocated within seconds of stepping inside the house.

We can never have a furry pet. It’s just not possible because I value my health too much. The girls are too young to start wanting a dog and I will feel a little bad when I have to tell them it’s just not possible.

In all seriousness, I truly think a lot of people just don’t get it. My parents have a couple of dogs and they still have a hard time understanding that I’m really allergic.

I’m always told to just go get a “hypoallergenic” dog or get allergy shots. Other people are totally incredulous that I can’t stay at their house for more then a short period of time and that just sitting on their couch could set off a reaction.

Another thing that really scares me and upsets me is how people can’t control their dogs.

I’ll go on walks with my girls and they’ve been terrified more then once when dogs start barking and lunging at the carriage.
Meanwhile the owner is struggling to contain the dog and claiming “oh, he’s harmless! He’ll never hurt anyone!”

In all truth and honesty…my husband will always carry concealed when we go on walks…or make me take my purse and carry concealed for that reason alone.

All it takes is one slip up of the leash with a big dog.

Sorry…but this is my experience with other people and their animals.

Kelfa28, you made my day. You truly get it. You captured my DH’s experience perfectly!

 

[1990Domer]

This whole thread sickens me. Animals are beautiful and share this planet with us. They serve us by being eyes for the Blind, ears for the Deaf, serve our police, search and rescue, and they help the disabled. I’ve done volunteer work with dogs who serve the disabled and it’s amazing how these animals HELP people.

And Francis of Assisi was inspired by them. He set the doves free. He calmed down the wolf. He preached the Gospel to the birds and they listened. God loves ALL of His creatures.

And you know what? I go gaga over animals. What’s cuter than a happy dog, happy to see me, wagging its tail? How sweet is that? And sure, I’ll talk to such a beautiful sentient being with a cutesy voice because that’s who I am.

Dude, the power of love is amazing. SO WHAT if a person loves their pet so much that they want to help their hurting or sick pet that they would go into debt for it? That’s their business. You don’t know their story. You don’t know how much a pet or animal can mean to a person. Like I said, I’ve worked with dogs who assist the disabled. Those animals live their LIFE to SERVE and that is beauty. And who said Francis of Assisi was a demi-God? I mean whut? The fact is he is the patron saint of animals and nature. There’s a reason why.

Honestly, I love pets too…unless they endanger the life of my DH or child (we have had uncontrolled pets jump on him as a toddler). Did I like the fact that my MIL kept a cat in her house that nearly scratched my DH’s eye (he has a scar on the bridge of his nose)? Did I like the fact that she would not keep said cat with a sitter when DS was a baby? Did I like that she had no consideration for her son’s medical condition? He was on heavy steroids when we visited.

Animals have a place, but God definitely put man above them.

 

[1990Domer]

If I was sitting on the sofa and the cat wanted to sit in the same place, my mother would make me move.

Been there too…

 

[1990Domer]

Animals are the closest form of God’s unconditional love that we will ever get to experience on this earth. I’m appalled by Catholics who think that supporting animal rights somehow makes them less of a Catholic.

I have to disagree with this. The love you give a child is the most unconditional love you experience from God. I would also say the same thing about a spouse. In both instances, they try to get you to Heaven and vice versa. That’s huge.

 

[Millie123]

One thing that I find annoying are people who think that caring for a pet is the stepping stone to parenthood and similar to caring for a child. A puppy is not like caring for an infant.

 

[Millie123]

One thing that I find annoying are people who think that caring for a pet is the stepping stone to parenthood and similar to caring for a child. A puppy is not like caring for an infant.

 

[GEddie]

The animals that give human beings the most love and affection are not the species being mooted for “rights” and vice versa.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Regular_Atheist]

I think the lives of animals are definitely worth more than we think. I certainly think that vegetarianism is preferable to eating meat, not that I’m a vegetarian. At any rate, I don’t think the fact that people refer to animals as being members of their family is an actual reflection of their view that animals are humans.

 

[GreyWings]

Animals have a place, but God definitely put man above them.

I stay away from this thinking. Love is love, God loves Man and Woman, yes, and we need our Redeemer. But we should not place pride in knowing of His great love for Man and Woman. This is the sort of stuff angels had wars in heaven about. This is the sort of stuff that made Lucifer have a fit and fell from grace. He wanted to be God’s “most loved.” Pride in being loved can be dangerous thinking. Not for nothing.

The point is, God loves animals, too, and they have their place with Him as His creations as well.

I think the lives of animals are definitely worth more than we think. I certainly think that vegetarianism is preferable to eating meat, not that I’m a vegetarian. At any rate, I don’t think the fact that people refer to animals as being members of their family is an actual reflection of their view that animals are humans.

Agreed. And vegetarianism is indeed healthy. It certainly makes meatless Fridays and Lent much easier.

 

[1990Domer]

I stay away from this thinking. Love is love, God loves Man and Woman, yes, and we need our Redeemer. But we should not place pride in knowing of His great love for Man and Woman. This is the sort of stuff angels had wars in heaven about. This is the sort of stuff that made Lucifer have a fit and fell from grace. He wanted to be God’s “most loved.” Pride in being loved can be dangerous thinking. Not for nothing.

The point is, God loves animals, too, and they have their place with Him as His creations as well.

Agreed. And vegetarianism is indeed healthy. It certainly makes meatless Fridays and Lent much easier.

This isn’t pride. I’m referring to Genesis 1:26. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[Kay_Cee]

Been there too…

Nice to know I’m not alone!

 

[HelenRose]

Francis is not the Demigod pagan Catholic overlord of nature worship and hippie animal care. Just because some particular saints were close to animals, does not in any way shape or form convey that they viewed Gods animal creations on an equal playing field as humans. I love saint Francis of Assisi. His “Ledgend” if you will is incredible, but he is in no way venerated for downright worship or humanly care towards animals. Nor is he an excuse for getting Old Rover on doggie anti depressants, or paying a 40k medical bill to try and battle his cancer at 17 years of age.

I have given myself a day to think about this comment. I must ask. Do you hate it when a person loves a beautiful car enough to spent 40K on it. We love our objects enough to spend great sums of money on them. Is loving an animal worse than our love for things?

I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on an animal but I understand why a wealthy person will buy a Ferrari if he or she can afford it. So I understand why a wealthy person will spend that kind of money on an animal that has been in his or her life for many years. I understand how much a person can care for a faithful dog or loving cat. If they have the resources to pay for the animal’s care, I have no problem with that at all. Even if someone does not have a great deal of financial worth, what business is of mine, yours or anyone to question or make fun of how another person spends his or her money.

 

[Della]

Francis is not the Demigod pagan Catholic overlord of nature worship and hippie animal care. Just because some particular saints were close to animals, does not in any way shape or form convey that they viewed Gods animal creations on an equal playing field as humans. I love saint Francis of Assisi. His “Ledgend” if you will is incredible, but he is in no way venerated for downright worship or humanly care towards animals. Nor is he an excuse for getting Old Rover on doggie anti depressants, or paying a 40k medical bill to try and battle his cancer at 17 years of age.

Francis is no excuse for animal worship, I agree, but how people spend their money is not for anyone else to say. What about buying other luxury items, if we’re going to castigate people for being extravagant? And just what is extravagant? It may not be the same based on income and availability of such items. Remember, people who professionally care for pets or make luxury items have families to feed too.

It is no sin to spend money on a pet, but we need to take the needs of humans into consideration first, then be concerned about our pets, and what is best for them, not merely what would make us feel good about ourselves. Too many people prolong a pet’s life merely because they can’t stand to let it die, but if the pet is suffering, it should be put down for its sake. Still, that is the owner’s decision to make not anyone else’s.

 

[Arizona_Fat_Gir]

One of my dogs died a natural death right here at home. I got up on the morning of Wednesday, December 11, 2013 and found her by the side of the bed. She had stiffened and her mouth was open, her tongue hanging out. I will never forget it. I somehow managed to get her to the trunk of my car to take her to the vet for cremation.

That hurt quite a bit.

Some people do love cars; my father used to buy a car every couple years or so, trading in an almost-new car, taking on debt. That made him happy.

My pets made me happy since I’m widowed and live at home. Some people, myself included love to shop. I just enjoy shopping so much because it is a diversion, but if I did not have my pets, I would probably go and hang out in malls all day. And spend. Go to Helzberg’s Diamonds, Nordstrom, Beall’s Outlet…I already donate some pretty nice things to St. Vincent’s because I like to share my goodies with others.

But, money is only a tool, and I am glad to take in some poor little dog who had gotten kicked out of his home. Many people out this way dump dogs in the desert when they get tired of them. Some have horses, and these animals are neglected. I also am aware of how animals are treated at slaughterhouses, and one man even tied his dog to a tree and set him on fire. So instead of being a shopping mall bum, I try to help these little guys who are homeless and unloved.

Cruelty to children is an absolute nightmare, and it breaks my heart. We have a lot of child abuse around here, too. A little three year old girl was beaten to death not far from where I live. The put her body in a plastic bag and hid it in a closet. In remote deserts a bad person could kidnap and kill someone and leave their bodies in the wildness. You may never find them again. And so with that, I would think it shouldn’t be a case of either loving animals or loving people. I think God’s love overflows everywhere. He loves His world and hates bitterness and cruelty.

 

[1990Domer]

I am not against loving animals. However, when people who own animals put their welfare above the serious health concerns of a person, I draw the line. The dogs could be left at home or watched by someone that does not have serious/life-threatening allergic reactions. I think God would understand that!

 

[TARRAT]

Polluted,
Are you still there? As you can see here there are people who will insist on putting animals on the same level as people. Some even putting them above people, going so far as saying they are owned by their animals.

Many here have given reasoned responses as to why a more level headed approach is needed. But common sense is not something that will convince some people. For them feeling is reality. Much like liberal politicians who think that all they have is say something and that makes it true. Oh well such is life. And when some say animals have rights to own things such as property and rights to photographs they are in, well those folks are hopeless. Maybe some day they will want to marry them.

Keep plugging away.

 

[GEddie]

Maybe some day they will want to marry them.

Hate to have to be the one to inform you, but we are already there; about a year ago someone “married” a dolphin.

And folks wonder why I oppose calling Flipper a person.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Della]

Polluted,
Are you still there? As you can see here there are people who will insist on putting animals on the same level as people. Some even putting them above people, going so far as saying they are owned by their animals.

Many here have given reasoned responses as to why a more level headed approach is needed. But common sense is not something that will convince some people. For them feeling is reality. Much like liberal politicians who think that all they have is say something and that makes it true. Oh well such is life. And when some say animals have rights to own things such as property and rights to photographs they are in, well those folks are hopeless. Maybe some day they will want to marry them.

Keep plugging away.

Being owned by a cat is we cat lovers’ insider’s joke–due to the nature of cats being so demanding–a fact of which you are obviously ignorant. 99% of us here have not put animals on the same level as humans. Sheesh!

 

[Marie5890]

.** Anybody that really knows animals know that animals have instincts not feelings. **

Science has demonstrated just the opposite. Infact, science has also shown that animals such as great apes, elephants, bottle nose dolphins etc., are actually self-aware. Up until very recently, it was believed that only homo sapiens (i.e. human beings) were self-aware.

God has just to fully reveal everything about the animal kingdom, so I wouldn’t get too caught up into human ego just yet

Just my .02