gut;1361733 wrote:Smarter people don't make that same equivalence in the law. I shoot your dog for crapping in my yard I might pay a fine, even go to jail for a few days. Now if I shoot your kid.

It's an animal. Not a person.

What the heck does the law have to do with this thread or my opinions on animals? That's a dumb thing to bring up. Shoot my dog, the law will be the last thing on your mind.

gut;1361738 wrote:For many people, dogs ARE their only children. That's how you get people spending thousands of dollars in medical bills on dogs when most of the planet know that's a stupid and irrational decision.

Tell that to the ones that can't have children.

To you it's stupid and irrational, to someone that has dogs and actually gives a shit about them, there is absolutely nothing irrational or stupid about it. For you to judge someone because of what they have done for a dog is pretty stupid IMO. The stupid thing is to get a dog, and then not take on the responsibility of a dog owner.

I had the same attitude as you. "No way in hell I'd spend that kind of money on a dog". Then my 2 year old Husky became sick with Parvo. Guess what? That dog had become part of the family. I didn't even question whether it was the right thing to do. I spent the money necessary, even though I didn't really have it, to get my dog help. No guarantees she would survive. Knew it was going to be expensive, but I didn't care.

O-Trap;1361741 wrote:For what it's worth, this is my wife and I. We've been trying to have a child for a few years now, but we've been unable so far. We have three dogs, and my wife REALLY treats them like they're little people.

But, but, but...adopt a child, not take on dogs.

GoChiefs;1361752 wrote:But, but, but...adopt a child, not take on dogs.

Adopting a child = money we don't have

As Raw Dawgin' said, dogs are cheaper. We can afford them.

Aside from that, we almost did try to adopt a young man whose mom was going to relinquish custody, but he tried to burn our house down while we were asleep one night. A dog has never done that.

GoChiefs;1361686 wrote:Is this a serious question?

Just pointing out that you don't really value dogs as much as humans.

se-alum;1361762 wrote:Just pointing out that you don't really value dogs as much as humans.

There are a lot of humans that my dog would be chosen over before them. So yes, I certainly do value MY dog as much as a human.

The only humans I value more than my dog is my family.

GoChiefs;1361767 wrote:There are a lot of humans that my dog would be chosen over before them. So yes, I certainly do value MY dog as much as a human.

So what is the criteria for you to choose a human over YOUR dog?

se-alum;1361772 wrote:So what is the criteria for you to choose a human over YOUR dog?

Sorry, I can't say I've ever sat down and thought about exactly what has to happen for me to choose someone else over my dog. Maybe some time that will be something I decide to think about. I'll get back to you on that then.