I had, well we’ll call it a conversation today with my cousin. He has a small business in pet care, working in a few of the wealthier neighborhoods here. He owns a cat, which he rescued. I distinctly remember when he was picking out his new friend that he didn’t want a cat with any “baggage” shall we say? He wasn’t even interested in a cat with a bobbed tail. I understand that special needs aren’t for everyone, but this is besides the point. The conversation we had was about the horses in Central Park. He doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with the way the carriage horses are being treated and that, because it’s a tradition, the horses should stay. I showed him an article from the HSUS stating that it’s been documented several times by several independent auditors that the horses are being treated inhumanely and therefore pose a threat to the general population – two separate issues. I was then called irrational and insane. (The first thing my cousin actually told me was to shut up.)
This is not the first time I have been called irrational or insane because I was standing up for animal rights or welfare or whichever name you want to stick on it. In fact, I get called insane because I have four pets all from the shelter system – even more so because two have special needs! My father shakes his head when I spend money on my pets for anything more than routine vet visits. I couldn’t believe he actually drove me to one of Steve’s appointments to help resolve her GI troubles!
So why do we get called insane for speaking for those with no voice? I’m sure any number of you have been called insane for spending money on your pet for the amputation surgery or chemo treatments. I applaud each and every one of you for making the decision you made. You are not insane, you are amazing!
You know who is insane? Crab fisherman. Though I suppose there’s even an argument for them because they really love what they do and there’s REALLY good money in it!
I’m insane because there is no money in what I love. Sometimes there’s no reward at all. If the case in NYC goes through and those horses are relieved of their duty, I’ll never get to see the horses enjoying their freedom.
My reward is Steve, right now, laying on the back of the couch just over my shoulder, purring in her half sleep…nope she’s awake. The baseball game I’m listening to on the laptop woke her up! Well, even how cute that was is a reward because she could be asleep anywhere in the apartment and she chose to sleep right here with me.
Irrational… Is it really irrational to ask for responsible breeding of dogs and cats, complete eradication of puppy mills, funding for bringing spay and neuter programs to low income cities, and humane treatment of farm and food animals? If it is, then I’m insane.
I apologize for veering off the tripawd topic, but I had to get that off of my chest. It’s been bugging me all day. Here’s a picture of Steve to bring it back home again:
Well if you are insane, then I guess we all are! LOL. I understand, I had many people think I was “insane” for spending so much money on my 11 year old pup Jake. But you know what, my Jake was there for me for more than anyone, he was family. I made a promise when I adopted him to take care of him, and his life was important. Money could never buy me what Jake gave me. All of my pets have been rescues. I have another pup and 3 cats, all from shelters except my one cat who showed up on my porch :). If that makes me crazy, then I will happily be crazy as well.
I think a lot of people look at animals as disposable, lesser than humans. Even our laws aren’t very protective of animals. Someone can kill one maliciously and they get a slap on the wrist in the court room. It has never made sense to me. I love my pets more than I like people. Thank fully there are those of us out there that DO care!!
Your feelings are more than justified, and I’m sure everyone here is with you!! I volunteered with a local humane society for a year or two doing adoption counseling in addition to the usual cleaning and spending time with animals. I met some wonderful people who clearly understood the importance of an animal’s life…and I met some who looked at them as “just a pet” or worse, especially cats.
I heard all sorts of things from potential adopters, reasons why they didn’t want certain pets – It’s not declawed, I want a boy cat/dog, it’s too big, it’s too little, I think it’s ugly, it’s a pitbull, I want a young cat, my kid will only accept a kitten. When those people came in, I did my best to turn into a teacher and explain how adoption is supposed to work. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.
I think that’s all we can do – educate, educate, educate. The people who really understand the amount of love an animal needs, and the people who don’t but are happy to learn…they make up for everyone else!
So I guess I’m saying KEEP BEING INSANE!
“When those people came in, I did my best to turn into a teacher and explain how adoption is supposed to work.”
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
I had a lot of people tell me I was spending too much money on Misty, getting too upset over the whole thing, coddling her too much after her surgery… I try to explain it to them but I am not sure anyone can understand unless they have a pet they care about the same way. Misty and Alley were my little buddies for 14 years, and they have done nothing except love me and be cute and sweet and be there for me when nobody else was. The least I could do is take the very best care of them I can when they need it from me, even if it means I go without some extra spending money or end up with some debt on CareCredit for awhile. (Although next time around I am getting pet insurance!!)
And if we are going to enjoy horses in the park or a beefy steak on our plate, I don’t see any way we can do that without feeling guilty unless we do everything we can to make sure those animals are treated as well as possible too. I think people who call you insane just don’t want to be reminded they have something to feel guilty about. People HATE feeling guilty and for some reason they often seem to blame most the person or thing they feel guilty toward. 🙁