Just pondering this as I saw one of those ASPCA commercials or whatever that talk about starving dogs and cats in shelters. Is it a little weird that we donate so much in the way of resources as a society to these animals, particularly when those resources could instead be focused on a more important class -- i.e., people? And while it's sad for older people to get sick and pass on, if I get sick and die in my forties, it will stink, but I would say I've lived a great and full life and it would hardly be tragic. But sick children are the class of need that to me hit the hardest and most powerfully. How the heck are people donating their time and money to fido when there are illnesses that kill children?
Let's debate.* I'll hang up and listen.
*The pit bull nerds don't have to express their view here, given that they promote the spread of a vicious and dangerous breed of animal that regularly attacks, maims, and kills children, so I think we know where they stand on this issue.
I'm with you, Otis. I love dogs, cats, etc., and about the only living thing I'll kill are plants (food, weeds), rodents and insects. That said, people >>>>>>> pets.
Others are correct in saying it doesn't need to be one or the other! But I personally have never understood how people will place themselves at the brink (financially), just so they can have ___ animals running around their house/property. It's almost like a certain part of people's brains don't fire. People just scraping by, barely paying their monthly bills, yet spending a few grand/year (if they're lucky, and their pets don't need lots of attention from a vet) on cats, dogs, fish, birds, etc. Even worse, keeping animals that can kill people (i.e. poisonous snakes).
I had a neighbor like that. Had two dogs, a cat, some fish, et al. Their garage is falling down. Their house needed paint ten years ago. Their furnace needed replacing. But "they couldn't afford it." Meanwhile, they were spending thousands on pet food, vet visits, etc. One of their dogs bit my wife (in OUR yard, lovely), so they had to shell-out hundreds to cover the doctor's visit, then had to put their dog down to get tested for rabies...since they couldn't afford to give it it's shots.
Then that Winter, one of their children died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their basement. Due to? A faulty furnace. But hey, they've still got their other dogs, cat, fish, etc. Still have a garage that is falling down. Still have a house that desperately needs paint.
Rather than donating to ASPCA, I wish I could donate to a group that would research how to turn certain sections of people's brains on...to prevent needless suffering, injury and death going forward. Maybe then people could also form a foundation to help people like me learn a bit more compassion/empathy.
But seriously, some people are just absolute morons when it comes to this stuff. Hearts the size of Texas...which is good/admirable! But it becomes a negative when they're creating needless, avoidable suffering for themselves, their family, their NEIGHBORS, et al.