OPINION Poll - What are your thoughts?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

This is an interesting topic.

Does everyone deserve a dog of their very own, or only those that can afford one (in money/time/devotion)?

This is an interesting and difficult question. In fact, the Irreverent Vet recently discussed this very topic. It came up because of the octuplet mom with 14 kids who was receiving public assistance. It made a lot of people step back and ask, "Does everyone deserve kids or only those that can afford them?"

Logically, the question extends to pets. Does everyone deserve a pet or only those that can afford to care for them them?

What do you think? I'm very interested to find out what you all think about this issue.

Pets have needs that need to be taken care of - grooming, nutritional needs (good food), preventative health care, and emergency or ongoing health care if there are medical problems. Those all cost money. Should we really own a pet if we are unable to fulfill those needs?

The Irreverent Vet addresses this issue head-on and his opinion is one that I believe most vets share.

After we discuss it I will post their POLL outcome: Does Everyone "Deserve" a Pet? What do you think?

Leave your answer here and your comments below.

[Jeannine]

I do agree to say that "deserve" is a way deeper than having the money to take care of"
I think too that it is more a moral issue than a money issue even the money can be also important in the "privilege" of having a dog.
A person can be very rich and not deserving the privilege of having a dog because the heart, the love and care will not be there. How many rich family get a nanny to take care of their owns children because their social life is too busy... Do they "deserve" to have a dog? No. Can they afford to have one? Yes.

On the other end some people barely can afford to give the very basic care for their animals but they really love them. Do they "deserve" to have a dog? Yes.
can they afford to have one? No.

It is hard to define who can and who cannot. I think, like Lynne and Karen and some others try to push, is education.
Dogs, cats are live creature that have right and needs and completely depend on their owners' capacity to give them the care, needs and love they do deserve. They are innocents living pets that will be the first to suffer for the bad decisions of their owners.
So who "deserve" a dog or a cat or a horse??
Huges hearts people with enough money.

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Yes unfortunately, it is not black and white. Education is a gray area too. The 12,000 a year education for my #1 family, will not positively effect or build the pet ownership character or mold standards with the children of the family that disposed (or got rid of) their first dog in a way they will grow up to be forever loving families for their pets ...it is in their upbringing. The environment in which we raise our children, or life experiences. Education can be a very gray and very undefined. I can only hope I am raising my kids to have the values that I would love to see in every pet owner. Spider taker outsiders, get the jar and look at bugs, look at tadpoles in our flooded yard and pond...on and on.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

A car should never be considered a necessity...its a privelege to drive...there are other means of transportation so a car is not a necessity. Back in the days when cars were not invented yet... they were not a necessity, so why should they be considered one now.
Point about your question is first of all its very judgemental, I don't feel anyone on this earth has the right to judge another person on the basis of what they can afford or can't afford, and the only time to judge someone is within the limits of the law. We all are suppose to be equal, so instead of judging what a person could have, should have, worry about more important things and treat each other equal.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Denise, there is no judgment, just opinion and respect for opinion. This question was posed on a veterinary site and I wondered what people would think here. If you feel judged, I apologize and you always have the free will to not participate. The only judgment is on your part.

Please, let's stick to the question and not belittle other's opinions.

[Adina P]

I agree, Denise. It's just a thought exercise...gathering opinion. This in no way will determine anyone's rights or privileges...nor is it meant to pass any ultimate judgment on any individual...only theoretical pondering =) A thought provoking discussion on opinions.

[Jeannine]

We are not here to start an other dispute. Cars' privilege is another discussion. We do talk about dogs here and, Denise, if you are not happy by the way question and or answers are post here please stay on your own discussion. We will no bother arguing with you there so please leave us in peace. We do not need any craps and it is "OUR PRIVILEGE to not accept it.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Relax J, we are just examining one of those questions that can never really be answered. Opinion is important and should be respected.

[Adina P]

Yes, this is play nice territory =) We're having a fun debate...like always fun debates go off on tangents (cars included) which is fine.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

And it's my opinion that this question is very judgemental, and Jeannie your answer is way out of line, your the one starting crap with your response. If I want to compare oranges to apples I can, If I want to respond to any discussion posted on here I have my rights also, this is America, the U.S.A. Who are you to say otherwise. If you want to harbor bad feelings because of another uncalled for incident on here go right ahead, but than again it just goes to show your ignorance, not mine. It is your privilege to not accept anything you don't want to...NO ONE SAID YOU HAD TO...BUT I HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS!!!!!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Denise, let's let by-gones be by-gones and respect each other's opinions. This is an open discussion and not an argument discussion.

[Adina P]

You have a right to your opinion and a defense of your opinion ... but this is play nice territory for everyone =) Any further personal issues from EITHER side need to be moved out of this discussion.

[Jeannine]

Sorry Adina,

It is my French blue blood that turn red when I feel... Well let leave it that way.