Posted on 03/14/2012 10:01:51 PM PDT by Altariel
Pets are a wonderful thing. No matter how sad or depressing your life may be, it's always just a little bit better knowing you have a loyal pet by your side.
But being a pet owner is a tricky proposition. Something about being able to "own" a living thing seems to drive some people to the point of madness. Crazy cat ladies don't earn that title because of their rational behavior and robust social skills, you know?
***
#6. Naming Their Pets After Their Own Interests and Aspirations
***
#5. Dressing Pets Up In Anything More Than a Collar
***
#4. Getting a Pet to Practice Being Parents
***
#3. Throwing Them Birthday Parties
***
#2. Buying "Exotic" Pets
***
#1. Breeding In Negative Traits to Satisfy the AKC Appearance Standards
(Excerpt) Read more at cracked.com ...
Blaming the owner instead of the pit bull when it rips some innocent person’s head off.
#5. Dressing Pets Up In Anything More Than a Collar
I’m not currently a pet owner, but having had small dogs in the family in the past, in New England, I disagree with this point. Dogs can sometimes benefit from a blanket coat or sweater when the weather is frigid, and hunting dogs even wear boots under certain circumstances. Even larger animals like horses get blankets and coats when the weather is cooler.
And, on a lighter note, there’s no reason you can’t decorate the shell your hermit crab uses. It’s not like they’re very exciting otherwise.
my dog and my cat are family members.
That explains why Sandra Fluke's dog is named "Freeloading Slut."
All depends on size of dog. I have a small dog weighing 8 lbs and she benefits from a sweater when going out in cold weather.
I have owned dogs for 35 years and along the way I learned a few things.
1. Do not overfeed! You should be able to feel many bones in the body, such as ribs. Fat dogs have many problems, including early onset of diabetes, joint pain etc.
2. Buy the best dry dog food you can afford. Meat must be #1 ingredient.
3. Brush teeth once or twice every week from early age. This
will avoid build up of tooth tarter, prevent bad breath, and is less likely to develop kidney failure or heart disease in later years.
4. Exercise the dog lightly every day!
My current dog is now 10 years old, never been sick even once.
I had a parrot (#2) and I threw it a birthday (aka “bird-day” party) when she turned 10 (#3). So sue me. Yes, I even got a giant cookie for she and her guests to share (instead of a cake).
The children I invited had a great time and my parrot enjoyed it so much that, the next day, she didn’t understand why we weren’t doing the same party all over again.
Yes, some pet owners are vain and some overdo it. As long as nobody gets hurt, what’s the harm?
Both need be blamed.
I cater to my cats every feeding time. One like chicken and the others like beef flavored wet food. They run my house!
Truth is, its awful what we have done to some of the dog "breeds". Mutants they are, some of them...
Buying pets without full positive buy-in from the rest of the family.
Odds are the naysayer is the one who will, in fact, care for the beast.
my dog and cat only get dry food and few table scraps. my dog esp likes romaine lettuce, strawberries and apples.
LOL!
Dumb list.
Pets don’t care what you name them. Pets don’t appear to care if you dress them up (within reason). They can actually BE good for teaching all sorts of responsibility (again, using common sense). Many enjoy parties. Exotic pets, well, that just depends on what one defines as an exotic pet, what the person’s set up is etc etc etc. And number one...did PeTA write that one?
And yes...I “own” my dog, she does NOT OWN ME.
But don’t tell her I said that.
Oooohhh...Loaded “rules” of ownership.
I like your list better. :)
Both of our dogs are currently in gross violation of rule #5. The Chihuahua is wearing a rhinestone pirate shirt and the Beagle is sporting his red golf shirt. My bad. LOL!!!
***
#6. Naming Their Pets After Their Own Interests and Aspirations
Exactly what criteria SHOULD one use in naming a pet? Anyone who cares what I name my pet(s) has way, way, waaaay too much time on his hands.
***
#5. Dressing Pets Up In Anything More Than a Collar
Instead I should watch my dog shake and shiver every time I let her out in very cold, very windy weather? Rather than take 30 seconds to strap a fleece coat on her, I should deal with having to force her to talk 20ft in the bitter cold to get off the deck to do her business or deal with her doing it on the deck? Anyone who cares whether I dress my pet(s) has way, way, waaaay too much time on his hands.
***
#4. Getting a Pet to Practice Being Parents
WRONG! In fact, I highly recommend that before any woman marries a man with the intention of having children buy her intended a puppy and watch how he raises it. If the dog is well-trained (however one wishes to define that), then it bodes well for being a good parent, if not then she should plan on being the sole provider of training for the child.
***
#3. Throwing Them Birthday Parties
Anyone who cares whether I celebrate my pets’ birthdays has way, way, waaaay too much time on his hands.
***
#2. Buying “Exotic” Pets
I have no problems with number two. A zoologist friend convinced me of #2 using very sound reasoning. I defer to his knowledge.
***
#1. Breeding In Negative Traits to Satisfy the AKC Appearance Standards
It sounds to me as if someone has a problem with the AKC rather than pet owners. Perhaps rather than writing lists, he should get involved with the organization and try to influence it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.