Adopt a Dog. It Will Change Your Life.
It's May, "Be Kind to Animals Month". D-Oh! We need a be kind to animals month? What the hell is up with that? Be kind to animals, period, people....every day that you are lucky enough and blessed enough to share your lives with them.
Being "kind" means providing not only a roof over a pet's head and good quality food, but socialization with humans and other animals, plenty of appropriate physical activity, regular Veterinary care, including spaying and neutering of all pets. Being "kind" means ensuring your pet has status as a "member of the family", and as such, spends as much time involved in family activities as possible. Being "kind" means that your pet is aquired through adoption from a Rescue organization or individual, a Shelter, or purchased from a reputable breeder, not through a "free to a good home" ad, a backyard breeder, a pet store or at a flea market.
Most people are decent, and want to do the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do. Some people are selfish, stupid, irresponsible, lazy, mean, or a combination of any of those characteristics. The pets of those people are the reason Rescues, Shelters and Animal Welfare groups exist.
Being "kind" means taking a long, hard look at the realities of pet guardianship. There are costs involved, sometimes major expenditures are necessary, can your family take on the financial commitment? Do you have time to devote to an animal's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs? Are you ready, willing and able to accept the responsibility of caring for a pet for his/her entire life?
Pets are awesome. Companion animals add an uncalculatable joy to life, and I simply cannot imagine my life without my "furkids", but I admit they are a constant source of worry, even though I love them so much it hurts. Are they healthy? Are they happy? Are they getting all their needs met? Am I doing enough to keep them safe? Do they know how much I love them?
I don't advocate for every person to adopt a pet. Some people just can't handle the responsibility, and that's okay. Some people (shudder) just don't like animals. Some people can't find housing that allows pets, there are a whole lot of good reasons for avoiding pet guardianship. I wish everyone would seriously weigh the pros and cons before thet added a pet to their families. I know that every Rescue and Shelter would be thrilled to be rendered unnecessary.
Being "kind" means providing not only a roof over a pet's head and good quality food, but socialization with humans and other animals, plenty of appropriate physical activity, regular Veterinary care, including spaying and neutering of all pets. Being "kind" means ensuring your pet has status as a "member of the family", and as such, spends as much time involved in family activities as possible. Being "kind" means that your pet is aquired through adoption from a Rescue organization or individual, a Shelter, or purchased from a reputable breeder, not through a "free to a good home" ad, a backyard breeder, a pet store or at a flea market.
Most people are decent, and want to do the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do. Some people are selfish, stupid, irresponsible, lazy, mean, or a combination of any of those characteristics. The pets of those people are the reason Rescues, Shelters and Animal Welfare groups exist.
Being "kind" means taking a long, hard look at the realities of pet guardianship. There are costs involved, sometimes major expenditures are necessary, can your family take on the financial commitment? Do you have time to devote to an animal's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs? Are you ready, willing and able to accept the responsibility of caring for a pet for his/her entire life?
Pets are awesome. Companion animals add an uncalculatable joy to life, and I simply cannot imagine my life without my "furkids", but I admit they are a constant source of worry, even though I love them so much it hurts. Are they healthy? Are they happy? Are they getting all their needs met? Am I doing enough to keep them safe? Do they know how much I love them?
I don't advocate for every person to adopt a pet. Some people just can't handle the responsibility, and that's okay. Some people (shudder) just don't like animals. Some people can't find housing that allows pets, there are a whole lot of good reasons for avoiding pet guardianship. I wish everyone would seriously weigh the pros and cons before thet added a pet to their families. I know that every Rescue and Shelter would be thrilled to be rendered unnecessary.
posted by Alphamutt at 12:43 AM
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