Is having pets a good thing?

[fungirl2727]

I have a pug that is so cute and brings so much joy too my family! My kids love her so much and take such good care of her. My hubby and me fight over who gets too hang with her. My hubby drove 16 hr in one day too pick her up and paid 600 bucks for her. Yes she is expensive too keep up with shots and food and everything elce but she is worth every penny! We have spent maybe 2 grand in the last 2 yrs on buying her and everything elce. Just got her shots and checkup for the yr and it was 150 bucks. I think someone that can't feed themselves and kids should not get a animal. We spend about 50 month on her with food heartworm flea and treat!

We have also boarded her when we gone on trips and spent maybe 300 bucks doing that the last 2 yrs. I will not let just anyone take care of her. We board her at are vets and they take her out 3x a day. I think having a animal is tons of joy for a family but also tons of time and work also.

[Smee]

I do think pet ownership is a luxury for a lot of complicated and sometimes conflicted reasons, none of which really have anything to do with the article in the OP only because those aren't things I have ever considered. One is that I draw a pretty hard line in the sand regarding the distinction between luxury and not-luxury-- food, clothing, shelter, and medical care are necessities. Anything else (IMO) is a luxury. Generally.

The most unpopular view I probably hold is a PETA-esque one (disclaimer: I am not a PETA member or supporter): In my perfect world, animals would not be deliberately bred solely for companionship. As long as there is an abundance of dogs at risk of death due to overpopulation, I will continue to own dogs, but if the day ever came that shelters and rescues were empty and no unwanted strays roamed the streets, that would be it for me. I do not think animal companionship is an inherent right I have or that they owe it to me, though I sure do enjoy it.

[momof2inohio]

I do think pet ownership is a luxury for a lot of complicated and sometimes conflicted reasons, none of which really have anything to do with the article in the OP only because those aren't things I have ever considered. One is that I draw a pretty hard line in the sand regarding the distinction between luxury and not-luxury-- food, clothing, shelter, and medical care are necessities. Anything else (IMO) is a luxury. Generally.

The most unpopular view I probably hold is a PETA-esque one (disclaimer: I am not a PETA member or supporter): In my perfect world, animals would not be deliberately bred solely for companionship. As long as there is an abundance of dogs at risk of death due to overpopulation, I will continue to own dogs, but if the day ever came that shelters and rescues were empty and no unwanted strays roamed the streets, that would be it for me. I do not think animal companionship is an inherent right I have or that they owe it to me, though I sure do enjoy it.

I agree with that. We only get our dogs from the animal shelter. I do not agree with buying dogs from pet stores.

[sweeneycat]

We are not the only living being on the planet & we have a responsibility to treat the other animals with compassion.

The same people who claim my cats are a frivolous luxury never spend their money to help other people. You always find they are spending way their money on their luxury cars, on redecorating their houses, on buying fancy ski mobiles, etc. (you fill in the blanks) which they do not, for some reason, consider frivolous.

Owning a shelter cat or dog would help them and their children understand another species and teach them a wonderful lesson in compassion. I am uncertain what lessons their children are learning from their new ski mobile.

The animal shelters have become our killing fields and have to kill thousands of unwanted cats & dogs each year. Anyone who does not adopt a pet is, in some way, responsible for this death rate. If everyone in the US adopted one more pet, imagine how many would be saved.

[mzbeers]

I have a wonderful Lab-Pit mix. He has been with me since being pregnant with DD1, she will be turning 9 in May, he (Buddy) will be 10. I can't imagine life without him, and as the years pass, I worry about him as he gets older. My girls absolutely adore him, he has definitely enriched our lives.

He was a shelter dog, and picked me as I walked by. I originally got a dog because my house was broken into, and many things were stolen while I was at work. The police told me the best defense against a house being burglerized was a dog. He looks and sounds mean and fierce, but is anything but. I was living in Las Vegas at the time. One night he even prevented my car from being stolen right from my driveway. He wouldn't stop barking, I couldn't figure out what was going on, it was around 2:00 in the morning, I looked out my window and saw someone IN my car getting ready to "hot wire" it or whatever, I let him out, and he chased the would-be thief away.

The expense at times has been difficult. Unexpected trips to the vet, regular shots and what not can be a strain on the finances, but he has been worth every extra penny spent.

[Smee]

I agree with some points you make, sweeney, but I don't necessarily agree that people who believe pets are a luxury are categorically lacking in compassion or help for others of their own species, and I don't think any of those luxuries are mutually exclusive.

I also disagree that those who don't adopt are in any way responsible for deaths unless you meant specifically those who purchase vs. adoption. I realize it's unpopular among many, but I believe the notion of "responsible breeder" is largely a fairytale. As long as animals die in shelters for lack of homes, I believe the breeding of companion animals is irresponsible, period.