[Popeye]

Dogs and cats joined us as symbiotes a long time back; we made most of them dependent pets and now that they can't survive on their own. Now we're throwing them under the bus. The termination is the -- probably -- unintended result of SPCA, PETA, innumerable tender-hearted or at least vote-hungry elected city and county officials and decades of anthropomorphized Disney creatures but it's no less terminal for that. We're eliminating these critters in order to save them. It isn't that we love our pets less; rather that we love Gaia more. And she doesn't poop inconveniently.


http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/06/the_end_of_family_pets.html

[KathleenElsie]

Just try to get my animals and meet my shotgun at the door.

[Old Soldier]

There a bunch of crazy SOB's and the SPCA, PETA can take a long walk on a short boat dock

[KathleenElsie]

There a bunch of crazy SOB's and the SPCA, PETA can take a long walk on a short boat dock INTO deep shark infested water.
:D:D

[Barkley]

I can't stand PETA and their ilk. However..back in the good old days how many times did somebody's dog running loose get hit by a car or bite a kid. Who wants their neighbors dog coming to take a **** in their yard? Yes my dogs go to the vets for regular checkups. My son and his fiancé volunteer many hours at the local animal shelter to help take care of puppies because people won't spay or neuter their dogs. Yes the animal rights wackos have pushed too far but some of their starting points were OK.

PS: I'm like KE, but maybe worse. If you hurt my babies (2 mini poodles who are asleep in my lap as I type this) you will suffer immediate and dire consequences. These little guys mean more to me than most people do.

[jam_o_matic]

I'm no Liberal (more of a Centrist) but I'm behind part of what the article is talking about: regulating or shutting down the markets that make running puppy mills an attractive, easy way to make a quick buck for low lives who have no concern for the animals they peddle.

There have been several puppy mills shut down here in Kansas in the last few years, and the video footage on the news of any of them was enough to make anyone angry. I recall that one of them was geared towards toy breeds made 'popular' by that skank Paris Hilton-- dozens of them living in their own squalor, sick due to their living conditions and lack of proper diets & basic medical care.

[Jay]

Dogs are better folks than many folks pretend to be. Our dogs are family and will be treated, and defended as such.

[glenn]

Dogs are better folks than many folks pretend to be. Our dogs are family and will be treated, and defended as such.


+ 100

[Desertrat]

The single biggest problem people, especially non-pet owning people, have is irresponsible pet owners. The people who buy a dog and don't train it or just ignore it and let it either run loose or bark continuously shouldn't be allowed to own a pet. I've seen it way too many times; dogs on a chain in the back yard whose only human contact is when it gets fed or watered. These people only have dogs (pets) because it is "trendy" or "stylish" to have a certain breed (usually something mean and intimidating) in order to enhance their image (or machismo). They usually allow it to bark continuously, want it to be mean and aggressive to impress their friends and when, not if, the dog gets loose, it will attack other animals, and all too often, people. Pets are a responsibility and pet owners who aren't willing to assume the responsibility of pet ownership should NOT be allow to have them, or be made fully accountable for the pet's behavior, especially if it attacks someone.

[Gray Wolf]

My dog and my cat patrol have jobs to do on our little homestead. The dog is not just a companion, but a watchdog and early warning system. She also keeps larger wild critters away. Without the cats, the small varmints and pests would destroy the garden. The job they do saves me a small fortune in .38 shotshell ammo that my wife was using for critter control! I'll say this, If anyone tries taking them away from us, it would be bad!

[HK4U]

Like others have said my dogs, past and present, are members of the family and I would treat an attack against them like I would and attack on a family member.

[Popeye]

Over time, a dog will take on major parts of its owner's personality.

[KathleenElsie]

I can attest to that. Birds will do this also. (never adopt an animal that was raised by a manic depressive)

[HK4U]

Or a pit bull that belonged to a homicidal maniac.;)

[shanga]

Like others have said my dogs, past and present, are members of the family and I would treat an attack against them like I would and attack on a family member.

Second that . They give us lifelong 100% loyalty. Nothing less is due in return.

[HK4U]

Just try to get my animals and meet my shotgun at the door.

:up: +1 And see if Gaia can help you.

[rusty01]

When outside, my dogs have a fenced-in yard and my covered back deck. Water is provided for them.

Inside, they are protected by the alarm system and S&W.

I agree with others, I will protect them and they will protect me.

[Gorin1911a1]

my 13 month old pitbull/bull mastiff is very much a family member...he responds faster to Son than to his name ( which is Marco ) he sleeps on the floor at the foot of my bed he has a good size back yard with a 6 ft fence to play in and since my bed room is at the back of the house he just slaps the back door when he wants in...he better mannered than most kids i know...so yes if someone wants to come get my 4 legged furry Son...let them try...i'll defend him with my life just as i know he'll do for me and the rest of my family...as far as the article...why does this surprise people?...with the way society is these days why would people be responsible for their pets when the government and the lawyers have made it acceptable to Not be responsible for our own actions?....BS rolls down hill..and sad to say we as citizens are at the bottom of the hill.

[5thDBlackBelt]

Just try to get my animals and meet my shotgun at the door.

Exactly how I feel! At my CCW class, our instructor told us that we are not allowed by NC law to shoot an intruder who is trying to shoot our dogs (btw, he is a young police officer and did not agree with that at all!).

I told him that if someone tried to do that to one of my babies, I was going to shoot his/her ass. Besides, what's to say that the intruder wasn't going to shoot me first (in explaining this to the police...)

[Botazz]

resurrecting this one..

We picked up our current pal, Eddie (100lb doberman) at the rescue in Dallas about 5 years ago.

We were there to look at a female that had been turned over to them by her elderly owner. My wife tells the people there that she wanted to see a dog named "Magnum". I liked the sound of that name.... They brought out the sorriest looking, emaciated, scarred up thing you can imagine. He still had the cut line around his neck (obscured by a USMC bandanna) from the thin string/chain that held him. The poor guy looked like he was scared of his own shadow.

My wife would not budge on her decision. He was the one going home with her. (I still think she was gonna leave me there if I said no)

He was timid all the way home. Rode in the center of the minivan and never moved. When we got home, late in the afternoon, we set him up a transport kennel with the door locked open so he could go in and out. He took food and water, and I gently showed him the back door so he could conduct his business. While he was in the back yard, I sat on the grass and drank a beer. Ed came up behind me and gave me a shove with his nose, as if to say, ok, I am done, let me back in. When I let him in, he went straight inside his box.

I left the bedroom door opened that night. At about 0600, Ed came upstairs and over to my side of the bed she pushed my arm to wake me up. I let him out and he did his business, and back into his box.

Every day, my wife would take the girls to school, and she would ask Eddie if he wanted to go, he would stay in the box and watch, like always. This went on for about 3 weeks.

I was at work one morning, and my wife called. She said you aint gonna believe this... She was getting the girls ready, and asked Eddie, "do you want to go?" like always.. and he jumped up, ran to the garage door and jumped into the minivan as though he had been doing this all along.... I rekin he had been taking his time deciding if we were ok.

He is a integrated part of my family and my extended families. I have no doubt that he will not hesitate to defend us, I have had to hold him back on more than one occasion. I will burn someone down that tries to hurt him.

S/F

[Blammer]

Won't have a dog in the burbs, - reason,,, I favor the working /herding dogs & they need room, not a back lot. My last Border Collie had 7 acres to run, & needed them. The Ol' tabby stalked the meadow.... they got along:up:
Moved to the city just after the BC died, the cat was going on 16 & made the transition to housecat smoothly = averaged a mouse every 10 days out of the back porch.
When she stroked out @ 19, I replaced her with another housecat, Male, sable Brown, Mostly Burmese, weighs in @ 20lbs and does mice & rats on demand:D
He may have a pickup in business, as the property manager issued an edict to stop feeding the feral cats outside:down: His reasoning is that if there's a rodent infestation, the tenants should call him, and he will call an exterminator..... :bonk::OHNO::bonk::OHNO:

[gunfan]

I took in my mothers cat after she died. I care more for my cat than I did my mother! (The cat has better manners and loves me more.)

I have had cats for many years and treat them with love and respect. Now that I am alone again, Gem gives me comfort and love.

Though my heart still hurts, I have Gem to help give me strength to carry on.

Scott

[hntrss2]

I was raised without having pets. Had several siblings instead - LOL. Ive always been a critter lover. I now have 3 dogs, down to 1 guinea pig now and several rabbits (some destined for stew pot but love them all). Critters can bring much joy to ones life!

[eljay]

I couldn't have a dog when I was young, and we lived in a rent house in San Antonio. Got my first dog when I was 9 and we moved to Dallas and got our own home. His name was Lucky, and I added to the luggage carrier on my bike to make a platform large enough for him. He road everywhere with me.

Then one day (this was before leash laws, of course) he was riding behind me when we were literally attacked by a chow dog. Lucky leaped off the bike and fought with the chow, which was at least twice his size. But he was determined to protect me. I jumped off the bike and grabbed the baseball bat (we were on our way to a baseball game) that was tucked behind the seat, and beat the chow off of my Lucky.

Lucky died, but he gave his life trying to protect me. So yeah, I'm a dog person. Now (and for many years), our dogs have been German Shepherd Dogs. The message...don't mess with my wife, be you either man or beast.

By the way, I read the article which mentioned that it had been made illegal to sell dogs in Austin, Texas. Reason for this is that pet shops sell from puppy mills, and these are a curse to man and dog alike. So dogs have not been outlawed in Austin, just bad sources of dogs.

Somebody breaks into my house with a gun, Allie (our current GSD) would attack. And I'd just be careful not to hit her as I shot the intruder. Period, no matter WHAT he might have his/her gun pointed at.

David

[Jared Matthews]

Hey this is a very nice and also a much informative article with regards to the pets and their care, its really seems to fascinate me a lot..

Mobile veterinarian (http://www.crotonanimalhospital.com/)

[Bobby]

No ,better not comment enuff here on this good thread...

Some fornicating
anal orfices.

[LadyFaire]

If that isn't the truth! They are trying HARD to make it illegal to breed pure-bred dogs - they want you to go adopt a stray or unwanted pet. I happen to have a fancy for pure-bred poodles. If we keep legislating this way, there WON'T be any pure-strain breeds left! All that we will have is mixed breed strays. I have nothing against 'mutts' - have had several and mostly they were healthy, good dogs. Our youngest son and his fiancee adopted a lab-mix from the shelter where they donate their time (they also foster kitten litters - sometimes 3 litters at a time!). Sadie (the adopted dog) is neurotic, hard (shoot, make that impossible!) to train, has fixated on our son and has separation anxiety, has to be crated when left alone, and then will STILL foul her crate. They refuse to take her back, because that would be a death sentence for Sadie - she has been brought back by 3 other families, and our kids were the dogs last hope. They've tried to find her a regular family (with kids) with lots of attention and a yard to play in, but when their friends see what a mess Sadie is, they RUN away. Not only that, but when Sadie was spayed, they managed to screw it up. She STILL goes into season twice a year (the vet's explanation makes absolutely NO sense if you have any idea as to reproductive equipment!) and there is the attendant mess and problems with other dogs.

But I WANT to breed my miniature Poodle. Why? Well, let's see. He has perfect conformation. He has perfect health (his vet has tended the past 5 generations of his line, and confirms there are NO nasty recessives or health problems of any sort!). His temperament is exquisite (if you don't mind a somewhat timid pup). He is smart and he trained himself to watch for and alert on my asthma! Yet I have people come down on me all the time, because I want to breed him! Why?

[Jared Matthews]

Pets are known to be treated as the family members, so how can one just think of their end, they are the most crucial part of a family life whether child or an adult have little or more affection to the pets..



Yorktown animal hospital (http://www.crotonanimalhospital.com/policies.php)

[shanga]

I am against the big brother or the helpfull mob of the democracy sticking it's filthy nose into anything but in my opinion making profit of selling animals that are in many cases smarter and more humanlike than most of the neighbors and coworkers we've got and breeding programs designed to improve the qualities of the specific breed is not the same thing. Breed them --noone is stopping you. Personally I am not a fan of people making a living of animals that are willing to give their life for you.

[Jared Matthews]

Slaughtering animals is a punishable act and one should be strictly punished for this offense as this is not a matter of jokes when it comes to the care of pets..

[Tusker]

The single biggest problem people, especially non-pet owning people, have is irresponsible pet owners. The people who buy a dog and don't train it or just ignore it and let it either run loose or bark continuously shouldn't be allowed to own a pet. I've seen it way too many times; dogs on a chain in the back yard whose only human contact is when it gets fed or watered. These people only have dogs (pets) because it is "trendy" or "stylish" to have a certain breed (usually something mean and intimidating) in order to enhance their image (or machismo). They usually allow it to bark continuously, want it to be mean and aggressive to impress their friends and when, not if, the dog gets loose, it will attack other animals, and all too often, people. Pets are a responsibility and pet owners who aren't willing to assume the responsibility of pet ownership should NOT be allow to have them, or be made fully accountable for the pet's behavior, especially if it attacks someone.

The first sentence here tells the tale. We returned to camping in 2008 after several years of absence. I very soon got sick and tired of the anti pet, mostly directed at dogs, atmosphere. A couple years after losing my last dog I really had to give it a lot of thought because of how hard it is to travel with a pet. No dogs seems to be the rule of the day. When I decided to acquire another dog it is understood, if she cannot go, then we don't go. This IS a family forum so I am keeping this post accordingly, but I really get sick of trying to work around the rules that were put in place because of irresponsible pet owners. My dogs one and all probably have better blood lines, and manners than most people I know in person. I know they are better company. :)

[Jared Matthews]

Animals bring a vast number of benefits to their human companions, improving every aspect of owners' lives from their health to their optimism and outlook on the future.

[Boz61]

They ask for so little, but give soooooooooooooo much.

[Stevejet]

Pardon my inaccurate paraphrasing, but it has been observed that a nations state of progress can be judged by its plumbing and its character by the manner in which it treats animals.

[LadyFaire]

I am against the big brother or the helpfull mob of the democracy sticking it's filthy nose into anything but in my opinion making profit of selling animals that are in many cases smarter and more humanlike than most of the neighbors and coworkers we've got and breeding programs designed to improve the qualities of the specific breed is not the same thing. Breed them --noone is stopping you. Personally I am not a fan of people making a living of animals that are willing to give their life for you.

I don't know about other people, but I want to breed my little guy to preserve his spirit, his love and his bloodline. He is absolutely the last of his line. I don't want to make any money off of breeding him, but I DO want one of his babies. He is my 'little love', my empty nest solution, and my 4 footed child in fuzzy pants. Barkley and I agree - when you take one of these 'little people' into your home, they become a member of your family. Period. They deserve the same love, care and consideration as any other member of your family. When Shadow (my pup) hurt his back (not this past Christmas, but the one before - he ruptured 2 discs in his back), we opened a medical charge account and Barkley took out a line of credit against our house, because we figured we were looking at neurosurgery for him. And you KNOW how much that sort of surgery costs. We didn't consider NOT doing anything, nor did we consider the cost. If he needed the surgery, he would get it. Same as any other member of this family. I do NOT agree with the aims and agendas of PETA or of ASPCA. I DO think that anyone who abuses an animal or a child should be treated to the exact same thing they are guilty of - in spades. I also think that there is a special corner of whatever hell you believe in that is set aside just for those people. There is never, any excuse for abusing someone who is in your care and custody - for however brief a time, and however they got to be in your care and custody. NONE.

[Tim Sullivan]

Someone recently sent me this link

http://teapartyorg.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-truth-about-rick-santorum-will-so-called-conservatives-ever

concerning Rick Santorum's voting history and association with PETA, HSUS, etc.

I'm no expert, but to a lot of the folks I know in the "dog" world, Santorum is anathema.

(Sorry to stir the pot on this aging thread, but the Super Tuesday timing seemed appropriate.) ;)

[HK4U]

Sanatorium may not be the conservitive people would like him to be.

[shanga]

Someone recently sent me this link

http://teapartyorg.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-truth-about-rick-santorum-will-so-called-conservatives-ever

concerning Rick Santorum's voting history and association with PETA, HSUS, etc.

I'm no expert, but to a lot of the folks I know in the "dog" world, Santorum is anathema.

(Sorry to stir the pot on this aging thread, but the Super Tuesday timing seemed appropriate.) ;)
It does not look like the author of that article brings up any examples of santorum's wrong doings. A lot of rhetoric about him being an evil ,unamerican ******* but not much against him in particular. As far as him being against puppy mills,dog and cock fighting rings and for upping the penalties for inhumane treatment of animals--hell, I am all the way with him on that. Nothing unchristian or unamerican there.

[Mr T]

INTO deep shark infested water.
:D:D
So what do have against sharks?

[Tim Sullivan]

It does not look like the author of that article brings up any examples of santorum's wrong doings. A lot of rhetoric about him being an evil ,unamerican ******* but not much against him in particular. As far as him being against puppy mills,dog and cock fighting rings and for upping the penalties for inhumane treatment of animals--hell, I am all the way with him on that. Nothing unchristian or unamerican there.


Unfortunately, Santorum's legislation is apparently not as it appears. More here:

http://saova.org/PAWS.html

You can also Google "AKC S1139."

In actuality, the legislation is just another federal power grab, adding layers of regulation at the behest of the usual actors in the so-called animal rights community (PETA, HSUS, etc.), one of the oft-stated goals of which is to END PET OWNERSHIP.

BTW, I don't have a dog in this fight (sorry, couldn't resist). I just thought it interesting that so many conservative pet owners and breeders are still up in arms about this seemingly innocuous legislation.

[shanga]

Unfortunately, Santorum's legislation is apparently not as it appears. More here:

http://saova.org/PAWS.html

You can also Google "AKC S1139."

In actuality, the legislation is just another federal power grab, adding layers of regulation at the behest of the usual actors in the so-called animal rights community (PETA, HSUS, etc.), one of the oft-stated goals of which is to END PET OWNERSHIP.

BTW, I don't have a dog in this fight (sorry, couldn't resist). I just thought it interesting that so many conservative pet owners and breeders are still up in arms about this seemingly innocuous legislation.

Man, I hate legalize.PAWS is just as confusing and convoluted as it gets.I am sort of torn here. On one hand anyone that read any of my posts knows how I feel about government sticking it's grabby hands into affairs of private citizens. On the other hand cruelty to animals,esp family pets is not punished at all in a lot of places. Even when laws see it as a felony most of the time it is not enforced. Poppy mills and sadistic scumbags that mistreat pets are all over the place. Honestly if this is the biggest argument against Santorum--he is not doing that bad.

[Nes]

They put out in our paper 1,087 put down here last yeat.

587 dogs and 500 cats.

[LadyFaire]

Barkley used to have (it finally just wore out!) a PINK t-shirt with "Owner of the world's cutest cat". Some yo-yo saw the shirt, and mentioned idly that he shoots cats. Barkley replied that he would shoot anyone who THREATENED his cat. The guy was incredulous and asked if Barkley would really shoot him over a dammed cat? Barkley replied that he loved the cat, the cat loved him, and that he didn't know or care about this guy - so yes, he really would. The guy thought for a second and then said it wouldn't be the first time he'd been shot over a 'pu$$y'. Barkley assured him that it would definitely be the LAST time!

Barkley and I have both stated on numerous occasions that our '4-footed children' are as much a part of our family as any of the 2-footed members. And that we would definitely use deadly force to protect/defend ANY member of our family.

Some people just don't understand.

[shanga]

Barkley used to have (it finally just wore out!) a PINK t-shirt with "Owner of the world's cutest cat". Some yo-yo saw the shirt, and mentioned idly that he shoots cats. Barkley replied that he would shoot anyone who THREATENED his cat. The guy was incredulous and asked if Barkley would really shoot him over a dammed cat? Barkley replied that he loved the cat, the cat loved him, and that he didn't know or care about this guy - so yes, he really would. The guy thought for a second and then said it wouldn't be the first time he'd been shot over a 'pu$$y'. Barkley assured him that it would definitely be the LAST time!

Barkley and I have both stated on numerous occasions that our '4-footed children' are as much a part of our family as any of the 2-footed members. And that we would definitely use deadly force to protect/defend ANY member of our family.

Some people just don't understand.
Shoot , I completly understand. All you do is return what they already give you--unconditional love. I get very unpleasant when someone threatens my family -and that's what they are,family. Actually I like my dog quiet a bit more than some people I am blood related too.

[Scotslass]

For me, my cats are the closest things to children I have, so anyone trying to take them away, will be in for one heck of a fight. When I lost my beloved cat Callie a couple years ago, I cried like a baby for two weeks, and still miss her to this day.
Groups like PETA are run by nut jobs who have no business being around animals, as they simply use them for their own nefarious purposes, or to further secret agendas. When I began my first week working for a pharmaceutical company, my building was bombed by ALF, yet these same people more than likely would be first in line to get the lifesaving drugs we produced if it was their child that was sick. Coincidentally, we didn't even do animal testing at our building, so what was the point?

[Hosana]

We have one cat of our own and five occupiers!