Over the last month or so, I've noticed a disturbing trend of people acquiring family pets only to try to find someone to dump them on. This has happened with people I know, know through a friend of a friend and even on Facebook. I find it a sad statement about our country. If you can't deal with it, get rid of it. Shoot, I happens in marriage all the time--it's called a PRE-NUP. Sign a contract for a divorce prior to even getting married.
Everyone is trying to find the easy way out. Whatever happened to trying to make a marriage work? Or working with an animal to TRAIN it properly, er, actually train the stupid owner, NOT THE DOG. Or taking allergy shots if you're allergic.
And yes, I do understand there are circumstances that will force one to make a decision to give up an animal. Loss of a job resulting in the inability to care for the animal, severe asthma/allergies that send someone to a hospital, or a caregiver's illness. I'm sure there are more instances, but that's all I can think of at the moment. I'm not talking about these conditions, I'm talking about pure laziness on the part of the owner to train an animal, or loss of interest in the creature, or simple allergies, or not researching the breed of dog prior to getting it.
This seriously PISSES ME OFF!
Years ago, one of the trainers at my horse barn had a litter of kittens to give away. Her female Abyssinian got preggers by the neighborhood tomcat. I told her I would give one a try, but I knew I was allergic to cat hair/dander--I found that out when I worked for a veterinarian in high school. I took the kitten and by the time the month trial was up, I was sneezing my head off.
Did I give him away?
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| Mr. Kato Kitty in his younger days |
Heck, no! 21 years later, I had to put Mr. Kato Kitty to sleep, only a few months ago. I took allergy shots, medicine, and used an inhaler when needed. I also learned to wash my hands thoroughly after I finished petting him. I dealt with MY problem.
After my hubby and I married we had an assortment of critters--Siberian hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs. Uh, I found out the hard way that I'm allergic to guinea pigs. I still pet and groomed Harry (really, Harriet), but I couldn't clean her cage as there was too much of the concentrated allergens. So my hubby did. After Harry died, who do you think saw Rocky and talked the family into having another Guinea pig? Yep, me. I just love those little guys!
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| Rocky, this AM |
When I was in high school, I adopted a brindle Great Dane (tiger striped) named Gretchen. She was such a sweetie, but with many physical problems--she was a puppy mill dog. Turns out the dimwit who owned her didn't realize she wasn't an apartment dog. What part of GREAT Dane suggests under 20 lbs?? After Gretchen died far too young when she was only three and I was in my first year of college. After I graduated college, I bought Pippin, a harlequin Great Dane. Though I moved out of my parents house and I had to leave Pippy behind, I still payed for his board. My dad and Pippin used to go for walks in the neighborhood. Pippin had to be put down at the ripe age of 12. The life span of a Dane is 8.
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| Katie, age 12 |
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| Maggie and family |
We currently have an Old English Sheepdog. This one is Maggie, but before her we had Katie who we had to put down at the age of 12 due to stomach cancer. We knew they would have to be indoor dogs--the heat is simply too much for an OES in Oklahoma. We knew she would need to be groomed and trimmed regularly. We knew what we were getting into.
All kittens and puppies are cute, but do a little research before picking up that animal to see if,
a) you are willing to do what it takes to have a new family member
b) realize how long these animals can live--and then add two or three years. Birds live a very LONG time--something to think about.
c) look at breed characteristics. If you want a laid-back dog, don't buy a rat terrier or lab. If the dog has to be outdoors, take into consideration their abilities to cope with the temperatures in your area, make certain you provide adequate housing, food and water.
Pets are family members. Would you give your kid away when they ticked you off? How about when you were potty training them? Did you get frustrated and give up? How about when they were a teen and they sassed you?
--Yeah, I know you want to give them away, but really, would you?
Be a knowledgeable and savvy pet owner. If you can't afford a big dog, don't buy one. If you buy a small pet for your kid, stress to the child that the animal can live for years. It the kid loses interest, then be mean mom and tell them to take care of their pet or step up and do it yourself. How fair is it to the animal when you desert them?
Animals become part of our family. They deserve your respect and love, because love is all they have to give back along with years of pleasure.
Later, peeps!
