Pets and stuff

Had a nice discussion today with a friend who just moved back to my area after being in California for a year. She is home now. California wasn't home for her, sorry to my California friends! I have brought two of you back here, I am sure the rest will follow!

She, her husband, and child just acquired two basset hound puppies. Of course we had to go visit them today. So cute! Dunking their ears in their water bowls, tackling, running, stepping on their ears, tumbling down stairs because their legs are short, so fun!

Here is what was concluded by the end of the day:

Fact, Americans spend more on pet products than most small country's national economy. I read an article a few years ago by a man from, I believe Thailand, who was rather bitter about that fact.

I realized a few things after reading his article. I didn't think much about it until we got a dog and I started noticing all the Halloween costumes people now put their dogs in. I also realized when I was a little girl, the local pet store was in the mall in the smallest space available. When we had a cat when I was a little girl, the vet never suggested we give it a $350 dental treatment.

Now I find costumes for every sized dog every Halloween. I also find that pet stores are the size of a grocery store with several national chains. I also find that when I do go to the vet, they recommend so many extra services that seem extreme to me. And I always think of that article.

So I say it today. I promise my dog (or cat for that matter) will never wear a costume. If they wear anything, it will be a collar with a license on it. I promise my pets will not have extraordinary, extreme vet visits. I know that is a personal call for each pet owner, so let's agree that is where the responsibility lies. I promise to vaccinate my pets with the basic vaccines that keep them healthy and licensed. I promise to feed them decent food that is not bought at a pet boutique but can be found in a fifty pound bag at Costco. I promise to take reasonable efforts to relieve their pain, ie aspirin for my dog. I will bath and brush them occasionally with a brush that is less than five dollars at the drug store. I promise to not call a dog or cat psychic or massage therapist. I promise to not paint my dog's toenails. I promise not the buy food that costs more than an average meal I feed my family. I promise that I walk my dog regularly on a normal leash that doesn't come with a remote. I promise to scoop poop regularly, for both dog and cat. I promise to give my dog cheap dental cleansing bones (also at Costco) and not get a $350 quarterly dental treatment, same for the cat.

I promise that I am a wise pet owner that realizes God gave us animals to watch over and care for. He also gave us fellow human beings that are made in His image, and worthy of more of our attention.

I want that man I read about in Thailand to know I heard his message. People, especially those in more dire conditions that our pets, need our attention.