Our disposable, instant gratification society

[ann_hawes]

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/our-disposable-instant-gratification-society-what-is-the-toll-on-dogs

[Shells_k]

http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/our-disposable-instant-gratification-society-what-is-the-toll-on-dogs

Good article. Very sad, but right on the money.

[Labman]

A very unpleasant truth. Yet ignorant, old attitudes continue to contribute to the problem along with greed.

As bad as our problem is with stuff, what we do to dogs and people is worse yet. The going gets tough, divorce, or just walk out if you never made a commitment by marriage.

I am suffering a little over my old printer. I don't use a printer a lot and it seems every time I need it, the ink is dried up. I have worked at refilling cartridges and cleaning the print heads. It refused to accept them. A pair of new cartridges was $57 at Wal*Mart. If I was absolutely sure they would have worked, I would have gone ahead with them. Instead, I bought a whole new printer for $32. It uses cheaper cartridges. I can replace them for $42. I have joked about buying 2-3 more printers and having them on hand if I have trouble with it. I have actually read about people that say they never buy printer cartridges, when the ink runs out, they just buy a new printer. What ever costs to society, at least the printers don't suffer.

Besides the suffering of the dogs, I think the whole mess tears at our moral fabric. I still believe in right and wrong. Not all choices are equally valid.

My first thought on reading this was do you take children on consignment?


I work in a children's consignment store. You think people are bad/ignorant with their dogs. Let me tell you, some of the things I see in here with people and their human children scares the crap out of me.

Could be the best thing ever for some.

[turfgirl]

Very good article, but like Shells very sad. It certainly tells the truth about some people who are not like us in thinking that our pets are our family not some disposable commodity or just a possession we can do with as we please.

Hugs

Susan & Lexcee (Mork & Mindy too)

[Shara]

I got all teary-eyed reading this article realizing how true it is. How dogs are disposable to some...I cannot even FATHOM this type of thought process...how can someone value a living thing as disposable or anything less than a gift from God. Would you throw away a gift from God? Would you really people?

=sigh=

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Very sad and very true. And I absolutely agree with them that for some dogs have become a status symbol, especially when we are talking about specific dogs/breeds.

And attitutes like these you see prevalent in shelters too....goodness its one thing reading about stuff like this but when you are face to face with a person at the shelter that is telling you that he's turning a perfectly healthy dog simply because "My son isn't taking care of it"....it ticks you off.

They also hit the nail on the head when talking about the breeding dogs and quick cash stuff.... I swear I can't STAND looking at those people (for lack of a better word) that are on the corner of market parking lots with "Puppies for sale" signs... I just grind my teeth and look away....:mad:

TG for those wonderful people willing to rescue/adopt pets that need homes. Kinda gives you hope...can't always look on the negative side...

[sandyb]

I agree with everything you've all said. I've just had a disagreement with my neighbour because I just heard the local scout group are having a dog show, and will be selling puppies there. She thinks that's a great idea. I don't. How many will be bought on a whim, with no forethought at all? All dogs deserve a good, kind, loving home. ALL of them.

[Furbilator]

I agree with everything you've all said. I've just had a disagreement with my neighbour because I just heard the local scout group are having a dog show, and will be selling puppies there. She thinks that's a great idea. I don't. How many will be bought on a whim, with no forethought at all? All dogs deserve a good, kind, loving home. ALL of them.

Sandy, have you contacted the Scouts group and asked why they are selling animals? Maybe the group needs a little education too. Maybe even drop a line to your local newspaper or media source and pose the question of "What are we teaching our children about the overpopulation of dogs". Might just change a few minds and save a few lives in the process.

When I was actively involved in animal seisures (government/police co-agency) I was asked to speak at a local junior high school about this very issue. I hoped that my little talk gave a new and maybe less warm and fuzzy view of a dogs life in the absence of human care and compassion. I showed living conditions of some of the bitches and puppies, showed the retail outlets that sold the puppies (a local one was most shocking to many) and I also showed what happens at the pound or shelter. The kids on their own idea raised funds every year for the shelter and a few volunteered at the shelter.

[sandyb]

Furbs, thanks for your ideas - I'll do that if it ever happens again.

[CerbiesMom]

It disgusts me that people dump their pets. Not just dogs, but all pets are subject to this. I look at my 5 unwanted pets, and I pity the people that gave them up. My dogs and my cats are wonderful. (maybe not Brigit, but she's at least become tolerable) They're excited every morning when we wake up, they're loving, they make us laugh, they warm our feet, and our hearts. The people that dump animals are missing something in their lives, and that makes me sad.

[Labman]

The sad part is that there are solutions to many of the problems that lead to a dog being dumped. I have often been beaten up for my cruel use of crates. So how many dogs have been dumped for house soiling or chewing problems? Problems a crate is a great tool for controlling. True some puppies are very easy and can be managed without a crate. I can imagine getting along without a crate for our current puppy Delilah. At 4 months, I ofter leave her loose unsupervised while I am outside or working in the garage. Other puppies, I couldn't do that even at a year old.

Obedience training is another great tool that could save many dogs.

[CerbiesMom]

Absolutely, labman. I was at the vet the other day, and I heard a man saying his son had to get rid of his 2 dogs because they're going to have a baby. I wanted to ask him what they were going to do with the first baby if they had a second. People are ridiculous

[turfgirl]

Absolutely, labman. I was at the vet the other day, and I heard a man saying his son had to get rid of his 2 dogs because they're going to have a baby. I wanted to ask him what they were going to do with the first baby if they had a second. People are ridiculous

:( That really ticks me off, is that dog not a memeber of the family too, the poor thing. Would they get rid of a human baby to make room for another, I think not so why a furbaby. (they have feelings too) Susan

[sandyb]

We got Jett because a second baby was on the way - he'd been turfed outside after the first one arrived. He is absolutely no trouble at all, loves kids, is a great house dog - what's the problem? Still, their loss, my gain. :D

[Labman]

I am hurting about first dumping Raven at the dog guide school. Then after she failed her X-Rays, we took her back for 2 weeks only to dump her with a lady that is evaluating her for other, less demanding programs. The look on her face after we loaded her into the lady's car would stop anybody's heart.

Still. what are we to do. We have 4 month old Delilah that we are raising for the dog guide school, 8 year old Sampson that retired as a dog guide and had no other acceptable option for a home. Add Raven and last 2 dogs before her that failed? How do those of you with multiple pets have a life? I hate to leave any dog for more than 4-5 hours. The puppies are allowed most places we go. Those places that choose not to admit them may forgo our presence. It isn't too bad to find a good place for Sampson, but 4 dogs?

[turfgirl]

I am hurting about first dumping Raven at the dog guide school. Then after she failed her X-Rays, we took her back for 2 weeks only to dump her with a lady that is evaluating her for other, less demanding programs. The look on her face after we loaded her into the lady's car would stop anybody's heart.

Still. what are we to do. We have 4 month old Delilah that we are raising for the dog guide school, 8 year old Sampson that retired as a dog guide and had no other acceptable option for a home. Add Raven and last 2 dogs before her that failed? How do those of you with multiple pets have a life? I hate to leave any dog for more than 4-5 hours. The puppies are allowed most places we go. Those places that choose not to admit them may forgo our presence. It isn't too bad to find a good place for Sampson, but 4 dogs?

you are doing all you can and more than most. It is so hard to let any of them go I don't know how you do it. I only have one dog, but besides work she IS my life and I am ok with that after all the look on her face when I get up in the morning and the cuddling I get at night make my life full of joy. Don't be so hard on yourself you do your best I am sure, but I know I could not do it as I would never be able to give them up. The people who get your dogs are blessed that is for sure. Hugs Susan and the Turf Gang xxx