A friend and I were discussing how she was having a difficult time finding a Christmas stocking for her daughter. She expressed disgust that the stores seemed to have more stockings for pets this year than children. This conversation got me thinking.....
I have been noticing lately that pets have attained a status equal to humans in many circles. Celebrities have more attachment and commitment to their dogs than their spouses. I looked it up and the most current statistic I could find was from 2004. Americans spent $34.4 billion on pets that year. I am sure this figure has grown since 2 years ago.
I am by no means anti-pet. I think they serve many purposes, especially among children and the elderly. Companionship, responsibilty, security, etc. I just think our society's fascination with dressing and pampering them is out of control.
They just came out with new statistics concerning the enormous number of orphans. 143 million worldwide. Many of these human beings have been left without parents because of poverty, disease, and war. These are individuals with souls.
I just think we need to re-evaluate our priorities. That's all.
9 comments:
aj and i were talking about this, and he totally agrees with you.
I too agree!! Target has a whole new section for animal sweaters...weird!
A dog in a stroller! Next thing we'll see children on a leash....Oh wait.
I heard tonight about a lady who opened up a fast food restaurant for pets, considering all the people who were going through McD's for happy meals for their pets. My lands! This country is going to the dogs!
70% of people sign their pet's name on greeting cards and 58% include their pets in family and holiday portraits.
My take, I 'd rather Paris Hilton have a dog, than a child...
What if all dogs do go to heaven?
China just passed a law that you can't have more than one dog...of course they passed the law that you couldn't have more than one kid...like years ago.
Also...Just try to adopt a stray dog from Korea...they are virtually non-existent ...I wonder why that is? But...as you know...with a little luck (and a little love) you can get a kid from Korea. Weird.
Some day someone is going to start a Dog Blog...I wonder what is the biggest impediment to Dogs Blogging? Would it be reading or writing...or maybe the typing...I can barely do any of those...I bet it would be the anonymous comments that would ruin it...Some people are just foaming at the mouth to leave meanspirited comments on others blogs...I mean Man's Best Friend... Can't be treated like an animal. Yet others ramble on yammering about all sorts of mindless drivell...
China also put a limit on Blogs...and no full access Google...No Dogs...No Blogs...No google...What in the world is China coming to...Next they are going to get rid of Fortune Cookies...But they are staying with those chopsticks...
Oliver Wendell Holmes said..."Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become. Except in cases of necessity, which are rare, leave your friend to learn unpleasant things from his enemies; they are ready enough to tell them."
So I hate to break it to you this way...but I don't like dogs. Especially dogs wearing clothes. But I do like little kids...other peoples little kids...that humor me...and then leave and go home with their parents.
Cindy's Family just used an old sock...and there is something charming about an old sock stuffed full on Christmas morning...but for some reason the oranges alwasy tasted a little funny.
I had a dog named Socks once...he ran away...I hate it when you loose a sock...and then never find it again. We called for it and called for it...but the neighbors just thought that my dad was crazy...walking around calling for his sock. (the funny thing was...he had them on...so the neighbors were like... Socks ...their under your shoes, silly)
Under foot...sometimes you miss the little ones under foot around the hillens house...now that Cin is past child bearing age...with her birthday and all...Happy Birthday Cin!
I sonder what i should get her...I know...a little dog...she would love a little dog ot put in her purse...and take to work with her...and ride around in the car with her. That sounds like a swell idea.
There should be a rule that comments should not be longer than the blog itself. How's that for tact?
preaching to the choir sweety...i once was making fun of the store next to tweens...and the owner heard me...and i didn't even feel guilty...
rider (pet love moderator)
when I was in new mexico a lady working in a store showed me and my friend her dogs check book it really had her two dogs names on the checks and then she had her own check book. I think she really signed the dogs names and bought stuff!
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