Pets are a Waste of Money

[oldbadger]

Why are we questioning our strive for love and affection.
Does it only come from people?

We spend time and money on our pets because we love them and they love us back...
It's the most inate human feeling....
Most animals I know don't conspire to kill innocent people on masse, only an animal far more vile could do this.... And of course they do it in the name of god.... And you wonder why I'm not not religious....
Sorry to all, I haven't introduced myself yet ...how rude ...I'm Jim...

Welcome to the forum, Jim....

 

[BSM1]

Art of living? What is that supposed to mean?

Among other things it means that humans can understand and communicate ideas and ideals. Humans can conceptualize the future and their relation to it. Humans can discern illnesses and find cures for them. Humans can express emotions (real emotions, not cute puppy dog faces) and describe these emotions in word and deed. Your dog can lick its own testicles. I believe that makes human life way more valuable than any pet's no matter how much joy you think said animal brings to the world.

 

[Secret Chief]

In Iraq right now a lot of Muslims are planning on killing a lot of other Muslims because of a grudge they've been holding for hundreds of years. If this is human art of living it would be better perhaps if they could just sit around licking their testicles.

I don't recall any cats beheading other cats for failing to conceptualise the correct supernatural cat.

 

[Secret Chief]

Hence why I'm a vegetarian.

Ditto.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Among other things it means that humans can understand and communicate ideas and ideals. Humans can conceptualize the future and their relation to it. Humans can discern illnesses and find cures for them. Humans can express emotions (real emotions, not cute puppy dog faces) and describe these emotions in word and deed.

And yet, even with all these incredible potential abilities, the human race is as much, if not more, characterized by sloth, greed, envy, fear, intolerance, ignorance and violence than by the opposite. Perhaps wasting our gifts makes us less worthy than our fellow mammals.

Your dog can lick its own testicles.

I'm sure there are a number of human beings who can do this as well. And even those who can't do it physically excel at doing it metaphorically through their words and boorish rhetoric.

I believe that makes human life way more valuable than any pet's no matter how much joy you think said animal brings to the world.

I suppose some of us value joy more than war, hate, and exploitation. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Secret Chief]

Thing about being vegetarian, you still kill plant life.

Yes, part of a great cycle. But it is not sentient in the way animals are.

As to taste, remember that pleasure is not located in the nose or the mouth, but the mind. There was a time when I enjoyed eating meat, fish and fowl. Then I read a little book that changed my mind, and instantly what had been appetising became abhorrent.

 

[Koldo]

Among other things it means that humans can understand and communicate ideas and ideals.

Dogs can understand and communicate some ideas.

Humans can conceptualize the future and their relation to it.

Depending on what you mean by 'conceptualize', dogs can do it too.

Humans can discern illnesses and find cures for them.

And create illnesses too.

Humans can express emotions (real emotions, not cute puppy dog faces) and describe these emotions in word and deed.

Dogs can express emotions in deed.
( Clearly you can't expect other animals to express emotions in words, right? )

Your dog can lick its own testicles.

I bet you can't do that. Don't envy them.

I believe that makes human life way more valuable than any pet's no matter how much joy you think said animal brings to the world.

It is easy to say that when you have stacked the deck against pets.
You conveniently ignore all the shortcomings of humankind.

 

[Nakosis]

I had a dog, he got a disease the vet said the treatment would cost at least $5000 and had very little chance of working. I couldn't afford it. Had to pay rent, buy food to support my human family.

If one of my children were in the same situation I would figure out something. Sacrifice whatever I could to get them the treatment they needed regardless of the likelihood of successful treatment..

I don't have pets now partially because I'm afraid I'll run into a situation that I won't be able to afford the resources to take care of them. When a pet gets sick or injured it's very costly to get them taken care of.

I also don't eat them. Animals, or pets. Against my morals.

 

[dawny0826]

One of the curious things about the human animal is that we value different things and craft all sorts of diverse ethical systems based on those values. It's interesting to observe, and we don't all agree with each other. I'm pretty live-and-let live when it comes to what other people select as values and reserve judgement, but every so often, someone's ethical framework simply horrifies me. I had a moment like that yesterday.

Apparently, some people believe that pets are a waste of money. While it's okay to spend inordinate sums of money to raise human children, having pets is a complete waste of money. It's perfectly okay to give your human animal proper medical care, but the moment the conversation shifts to a non-human animal, it's a waste of money.

Specism has always appalled me, but for someone to call caring for a non-human animal a "waste of money" was more than I could stomach. I fundamentally do not understand how anyone can justify such a categorial distinction between human animals and non-human animals. If non-human animals are a "waste of money," so too must be the human animals. Period.

But what do you guys think?

I assure you that the ravenous animal won't spare you when it's hungry. It won't take time to rationalize whether or not you're worth saving.

They act instinctually, of course and can't be blamed for doing that which is natural. And there are no doubt, humans who are deplorable.

But, a human is capable of a brand of compassion and understanding that an animal can't reach. That's what distinguishes humans from the rest of the animal kingdom, in my opinion.

As a human being, my own life and that of my family means more to me than that of any animal. I eat certain animals. I wear the skin of certain animals. I eradicate certain animals when they place my own at loss or risk.

I am appreciative. I strive for kindness and love the animals that I call "pets" and family. They are loved and treated well. But, they are not valued as highly as my human family. Though I would risk my safety for any of my pets, because I love them - I would not risk the safety of my human family for them. Other animals exercise the same type of discriminative behavior.

 

[BSM1]

Dogs can understand and communicate some ideas.



Depending on what you mean by 'conceptualize', dogs can do it too.



And create illnesses too.



Dogs can express emotions in deed.
( Clearly you can't expect other animals to express emotions in words, right? )



I bet you can't do that. Don't envy them.



It is easy to say that when you have stacked the deck against pets.
You conveniently ignore all the shortcomings of humankind.

Well, I guess you told me! Brilliant.

 

[columbus]

I had a dog, he got a disease the vet said the treatment would cost at least $5000 and had very little chance of working. I couldn't afford it. Had to pay rent, buy food to support my human family.

Was it a disease that could have been prevented with a few dollars worth of preventive shots?

I get very angry when pet people don't get basic health care, like parvo inoculation and "fixing".

Tom

 

[HeatherAnn]

Tom,
I believe your sig...
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."

Foreign extreme, fatal poverty might not literally be in front of our noses, but with media/www we all know it's a major problem. According to the World Health Organization, almost 1,000,000,000 (1/7) of our fellow human beings are chronically hungry every day. Thousands will die today, because of related causes.

My friend from Africa was amazed that we have entire grocery isles & stores for pets. She said that American pets are better off than many people.

We saved a dog, and we love her. My kids are playing with her now. Although we do what we can to help people in need, our dog is in front of our nose & she's teaching us (esp my children) how to love and care for someone besides ourselves.

When deeply exploring issues, one can see positive & negative aspects & must judge between what is overall best.
I agree about getting pets fixed & needed shots, we have.
I also wonder how our world would be if everyone cared more for that which is beyond in front of them.

 

[The Adept]

There are a waste of money.

This needs to be factored in if you want one.
Then again, a cat helps keep rodents away.

 

[raw_thought]

One of the curious things about the human animal is that we value different things and craft all sorts of diverse ethical systems based on those values. It's interesting to observe, and we don't all agree with each other. I'm pretty live-and-let live when it comes to what other people select as values and reserve judgement, but every so often, someone's ethical framework simply horrifies me. I had a moment like that yesterday.

Apparently, some people believe that pets are a waste of money. While it's okay to spend inordinate sums of money to raise human children, having pets is a complete waste of money. It's perfectly okay to give your human animal proper medical care, but the moment the conversation shifts to a non-human animal, it's a waste of money.

Specism has always appalled me, but for someone to call caring for a non-human animal a "waste of money" was more than I could stomach. I fundamentally do not understand how anyone can justify such a categorial distinction between human animals and non-human animals. If non-human animals are a "waste of money," so too must be the human animals. Period.

But what do you guys think?

Agreed!
My dog Varnog* is conscious and so is not a machine and deserves respect.
* I play chess online. A fundamentalist was preaching in the chat room. I wrote, " do not listen to him. Worship Varnog and receive free Kranniks." ( as opposed to worship God and receive blessings. It was hilarious! He took me seriously and said that Varnog was a demon!)Those words were simply made up on the spot. Monthes later I got a rottweiler puppy and called him, Varnog!
PS; Women should avoid men that treat animals poorly. Statistically they make horrible parents.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

People are free to have their opinions in their heads. Now when it becomes physical, there's a problem. In this case animal abuse

 

[NewGuyOnTheBlock]

One of the curious things about the human animal is that we value different things and craft all sorts of diverse ethical systems based on those values. It's interesting to observe, and we don't all agree with each other. I'm pretty live-and-let live when it comes to what other people select as values and reserve judgement, but every so often, someone's ethical framework simply horrifies me. I had a moment like that yesterday.

Apparently, some people believe that pets are a waste of money. While it's okay to spend inordinate sums of money to raise human children, having pets is a complete waste of money. It's perfectly okay to give your human animal proper medical care, but the moment the conversation shifts to a non-human animal, it's a waste of money.

Specism has always appalled me, but for someone to call caring for a non-human animal a "waste of money" was more than I could stomach. I fundamentally do not understand how anyone can justify such a categorial distinction between human animals and non-human animals. If non-human animals are a "waste of money," so too must be the human animals. Period.

But what do you guys think?

I think such people who would decide that caring for the other species with whom we share our beautiful planet have a lot to learn about morality.

[youtube]XI1yuaRp2UE[/youtube]
Morality Without Religion. (Amazing Animals) - YouTube

In fact, I submit that they may be less moral than the animals they are marginalizing.

 

[oldbadger]

There are a waste of money.

This needs to be factored in if you want one.
Then again, a cat helps keep rodents away.

It depends.....
Our little daxie is worth every penny spent on her. Her insurance, grub and toys cost about £35 a month, which could just about pay for half the cost of dining out for two......... so we'll forsake the dinner-out, eat at home, and have Smew with us!

But..... before my wife brought Smew home, I would have agreed with you.