Is It Ok to Buy Pets?

"If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."

-Francis of Assisi

I'm A Dog Person

In one way or another, I've been around dogs most of my life. Either with dog sitting, working at a doggy daycare, or having a dog of my own, I've always felt drawn to man's best friend. Recently, I've started dog walking and sitting again (much to my own pup's chagrin - she's a jealous one). But as much as I love dogs, I am facing a moral dilemma. Many people are buying and selling popular breeds like labs and corgis or fashionable mutts like all these absurdly-named poodle mixes. I don't want to show any sort of support to people that buy from breeders or pet stores, but it's not the dogs' fault that they exist. Just because I don't like the idea of purebreds or doodles, that doesn't mean the ones that exist don't deserve my love and care.

What's Wrong with Breeding?

I adopted my dog from the only no-kill shelter in my area. Ironically, that shelter rescues all their animals from the other local shelters who would otherwise euthanize the dogs and cats. You might think that they would only put down the animals that were in extreme pain or incredibly sick, like they claimed when I emailed to ask about their euthanasia policies, but that's not the case. While I don't know exactly why my dog was on the to-kill schedule, I have two theories. One, she had heartworms, which is quite expensive and time-consuming to treat. Or two, they simply didn't have enough space to keep her.

When I look at Jolie's beautiful little face with her bright smile and her happy wagging tail, realizing that she was almost killed at two years old and that I never would've gotten the chance to know her brings tears to my eyes. It makes me angry and depressed to think of all the dogs and cats killed in shelters every day, who will never know an ounce of compassion or love, simply because people want another yellow lab or a golden doodle. Mostly, though, it makes me thankful for the shelter that saved her, appreciative of all the people that do choose to adopt instead of shop, and thankful for the all the years I have and will spend with her.

The "Pet" Problem

When you call someone a pet, it - for lack of a better term - dehumanizes them. Depersonifies them. It gives you some level of ownership or control over their life. It removes their individuality, makes them your property. My dog is not my pet. She is my best friend, my child, my companion. I am her mom, her guardian, her protector. She is my companion animal, and I will never see her as a pet, an object. I do not and never will own her, like parents do not own their adopted children, despite the fact that they bought them. The difference is that we rescue those in need; we save them. We provide for them. By rescuing them, we give them a happy life which they otherwise would not have experienced. We do not bring them into the world for the sole purpose of making us happy. When you purchase another living being at the cost of someone else's life, you might as well be killing them yourself.

What If It Were You?

What if you were the one being forced to conceive children with some random person, against your will, with no regard to how you feel? After months of pregnancy, you have to endure painful labor. Then, after only a few weeks with your children, they are taken away and sold to someone else. You never get to see them again, and they never know you. Your only consolation is forceful impregnation again to bear more children you will again lose. What if you were the child who never got to know your parents or siblings? You, who was sold to someone so they could trot you around like a shiny new expensive toy, instead of being appreciated and adored by your family. That family now reduced to just a few wisps of memories.

A Price on Life

At the end of the day, I can't control what anyone else does. So go ahead and buy a pet. I will love that animal for the beautiful creature it is no matter the circumstance from which it came. Just know that animal costs far more than the hundreds or thousands of dollars you pay for him or her. The true cost is the life of the shelter animal you've just sentenced to death. Is that a price you're willing to pay? Or will you face the other way, not daring to confront the ones who suffer for your choice?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zxm2wcgeYI

Are you their rescuer or their oppressor?

"I Adopted Your Dog Today"

I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for seven years
and no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today
Do you know he’s lost weight?
Do you know he’s scared and depressed
and has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today.
he had fleas and a cold,
but don’t worry none.
You’ve unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies
or was there no reason he couldn’t stay?

I adopted your dog today.
he doesn’t play or eat much
He’s very depressed,
but he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your dog today.
And here he will stay.
He’s found his forever home
and a warm bed on which to lay.

I adopted your dog today.
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

-Author Unknown

be conscious, be kind, be vegan