Anyone here prefer NOT to have a

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 8:11:35 PM
Author: Mara
My point is... who cares if people are ''fanatical'' about their pets? (By the way that is a somewhat inflammatory word!) Does it matter? To me it''s not good or bad. Love kids. Love pets. Either or. Whatever floats your boat...everyone''s boat must be floated by something.

It doesn''t matter to me at all. It appears to matter to you, though, if my use of the word fanatical seems inflammatory to you. If you are ok with the way your boat floats, who cares what I think?

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 7:54:00 PM
Author: Jennifer5973
Suzi, I''d be very interested to know how you define ''fanatical about pets'' or ''pet fanatic''? (this is a genuine question, not an attempt to start trouble)

Pretty much the same way the dictionary defines it.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=fanatic

I particularly like Winston''s Churchhill''s quote.

And I''m sorry that I didn''t get around to answering your question until this AM. Last night, I was out being particularly "fanatical" about my kid...her softball team is undefeated this year, and she had a great game. She hit a double, a triple, had 6 RBI''s, caught a popfly on the line while in RF, then came in to pitch clean-up in the last three innings, and only allowed 2 runs in the three innings she pitched.

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 8:13:37 PM
Author: Pricescope
I take PET fanatic over other fanatic any day

Yep, there certainly are worse things to be fanatic over.

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 9:22:37 PM
Author: AGBF

Date: 7/7/2005 6:56:46 PM
Author: sjz
You people really want to find things to argue about!!! ABGF, both you and F&I took a *snipett* from my post, in which I was referring to the way things USED to be when I was growing up! OMG...I''m 42 years old now, not 12...lol. Things have changed. Back then, nobody I ever heard of thought of their pets as their kids, and referred to them as such. If they had, people would have thought they were nuts! F&I asked what planet I''m from??? Sometimes I wonder what planet you guys are from that you seem to want to turn so many threads into arguments! I pretty much never have such contentious conversations with anyone in the ''real'' world. You can''t take quote snipetts of what people say totally out of context in real life like you do here...can you? Geesh, lighten up!

...and to think I thought I sounded so reasonable! I think I said, ''what does it matter?''. That must be more inflammatory than I realized!!! Another funny thing (not in the sense of amusing-more in the sense of absolutely astounding) is that you teamed f&i and me. When we agree on anything the entire forum knows that hell has frozen over.

Deb, feeing pretty light in the lightening up department

See? I do have a useful purpose after all!

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 10:45:00 PM
Author: moremoremore
Holy carp how this thread has grown and morphed! I have some reading to do in the am!

p.s. SJZ- I just wanted to show you this. I think in this thread you mentioned you let your cat outside.
http://www.littleshelter.com/library/cat_indoors.htm

Yep. You went after me on that one before, on another thread a while back. Thanks for your concern. I do let my cat outside to go to the potty. She is a bengal, and has some ALC blood in her pedigree. She would probably claw the house apart if I DID NOT allow her to go outside. She stays in the yard, climbs the trees, sits on the deck and suns herself, plays in the waterfountain, chases the butterflies (I have yet to see her attack one), plays tag with the barn swallows (she is the one who is chased in this case), and sometimes accompanies Daisy and myself when we go for walks. Sorry, but I don''t happen to agree that it''s better for her to keep her cooped up in the house all day. But if other''s choose to keep their pets inside, that''s fine by me. Thanks again for your concern, though.

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/7/2005 10:45:29 PM
Author: Mara

Date: 7/7/2005 10:13:49 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

your pets won''t be able to drive you to the doctors or run earrends for you.

There''s no guarantee that if you have a child it will either. Part of the uncertainty of raising children.

At least I know my dog won''t get pregnant by the neighbor''s dog.

Mine won''t, either...she''s been fixed. Now my daughter, she''s another story. I''ll be pretty upset if SHE get''s pregnant by the neighbor''s dog!

 

[moremoremore]

Well SJZ, it's not my opinion, it's the opinion of just about every breeder and vet and shelter...it's ok if you disagree...and she's not my cat ... it does at least seem like you are keeping tabs on her which is a good step and it seems like you are saying that she stays in your yard.

But I also want to mention that there was a recent post by someone who found that the neighbor's dog came into her yard and killed her cat. This happens often. And it's a shame.

...and FYI- if cats are properly trained and entertained at home, they won't tear the place apart. It's a fact. I learned my lesson when I removed a favorite old scratching post..I promptly returned it and got them other toys...Not all cats like the post so alternatives are available

Well, best of luck...

 

[Momoftwo]

Date: 7/7/2005 10:55:08 AM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 7/7/2005 9:53:11 AM
Author: Momoftwo
I''m 45 and I think the generation after mine was really the ''me'' generation. I didnt'' use the word selfish. But, I have known couples who didnt'' have children because they didn''t want to stop playing. I also had my children for purely selfish reasons as I think most people do.

So, your selfish if you do have children & selfish if you don''t? Stop playing? Is that what people do who don''t have children? Yeah, all I do is play.

I''d love to live that reality.

Geez, no one has said that the love one feels for a child is the same as the love they feel for a pet. BUT - define LOVE? Some people are incapable of loving their child. I''ve seen that as well.

Please re read what I wrote. I said "Some people don''t have children because they dont'' want to stop playing". Not that people who don''t have children are playing. That was a defensive reaction without reading the context. It''s like the saying, all apples are fruit, but all fruits are not apples. I also said I love my children, not that eveveryone does or has them for the right reasons. Relax

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/8/2005 9:24:33 AM
Author: moremoremore
Well SJZ, it''s not my opinion, it''s the opinion of just about every breeder and vet and shelter...it''s ok if you disagree...and she''s not my cat ... it does at least seem like you are keeping tabs on her which is a good step and it seems like you are saying that she stays in your yard.

But I also want to mention that there was a recent post by someone who found that the neighbor''s dog came into her yard and killed her cat. This happens often. And it''s a shame.

...and FYI- if cats are properly trained and entertained at home, they won''t tear the place apart. It''s a fact. I learned my lesson when I removed a favorite old scratching post..I promptly returned it and got them other toys...Not all cats like the post so alternatives are available

Well, best of luck...

Well, it''s not the opinion of MY breeder or vet. I don''t know about shelters, because thankfully, I haven''t had to deal with a shelter other than when I adopted pets from them. I don''t recollect them recommending that I not allow my cat outside, however. I don''t worry about the neighbor''s dogs coming into my yard, because they are not allowed outside of their own yards, and to my knowledge none of them have killed anyone else''s pets. I do keep tabs on my cat when she is outside, and she''s never run away or wandered into anyone else''s yard as far as I know. All of my neighbors love my cat, and call her the their "little leopard". She *is* properly trained and entertained FYI. She''s just never been confined to the indoors and wouldn''t know how to act if I refused to let her go outside. I have not had her de-clawed, because that is something that I DO consider to be cruel and unfair to cats, so if I didn''t let her outside when she had to go potty, she''d probably claw the door trying to let me know she wants out. "Tearing up the house" was probably an exxageration on my part. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression of my cat''s behavior. She will not potty in the house...she knows better. And she will only use the litterbox in an emergency, like when when we are not at home to let her out. I never had good luck with scratching posts for Topaz...she much prefers the deck posts.

Once again, I thank you for your concern, but it''s really not necessary. Trust me, I have very good judgement, and if it ever comes to a point where I feel it''s unsafe to allow my cat to enjoy the freedom of our back yard, deck, or porch, I will re-train her to be an exclusively indoor cat.

 

[ursulawrite]

Date: 7/7/2005 3:03:41 PM
Author: heart prongs
Momoftwo wrote...
''Believe me, when you have kids, all the other stuff just isn''t important...''


I don''t necessarily think your statement applies to everyone...so I''m not simply going to just ''believe'' you. I will say that it comes across as a bit narrow-minded though...

I for one am bothered when people don''t seem to love an animal as much (some even going so far as to get rid of it) when a baby comes into their lives. The poor animal is left to wonder what he/she did that was so wrong. Also, some people become so ridiculously focused on their children and NOTHING more...Sometimes I want to say, ''Wow, you had a baby...now stop talking incessantly about every single thing ''the baby'' did. Let''s face it...other than the funny things kids say, everything else they do is really only interesting to you, your spouse and the baby''s nana!

As a side note, I think part of the reason so many of us are on the fence about giving up our ''freedom'' is because so many moms (and dads) we know complain about their bratty kids...about how they get no sleep and never have time for sex anymore, let alone any time to themselves...and how they spend every weekend at their 2 kids six soccer games, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah! And then they feel gulity about having b*tching and say....''But they''re so worth it.'' Right??!!

Perhaps if parents in general made it sound just a tad more appealing, and not so daunting, some of us wouldn''t have such concerns about having one of our own...klr

The first part of this quote, I especially agree with. Lots of people don''t seem to realise that a pet is for life, not just practice for when the human kids come along.

In my apartment building, there''s a couple with two dogs, one kid and one on the way. The dogs get no attention, no walks, and yet their owners are always out pushing the stroller. Makes me sick. How much more effort would it take to leash up the dogs and take them to the park?

As for my situation, I grew up in a very modest household, put myself through college, and moved to London (not knowing anyone) to put myself in the best position to develop my career. I''m sorry, I''m just not prepared to give it all up and jeopardise my future achievements by having babies. Part-term work is just not going to be an option for me

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 7/7/2005 7:56:38 PM
Author: sjz

Date: 7/7/2005 7:17:28 PM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 7/7/2005 7:10:08 PM
Author: sjz
Something else interesting I''ve noticed while reading this thread...most of you who are staunchly defending the fact that you love your pets just as much as other people love their children, say that to you your pets ARE your children DON''T HAVE ANY CHILDREN and/or DON''T WANT ANY CHILDREN. Most of the people arguing the opposite view point have BOTH pets and children.

Nobody that I''ve seen so far has said that it''s terrible not to want either pets or children. That doesn''t seem to be an issue. I have noticed something, in real life, not just here...people who are EXCLUSIVELY pet people and have no kids are the ones who are constantly trying to push thier pets down other people''s throats, and make OTHER people treat and veiw their pets in the same way as children. That''s what bugs me.

Oh yes, that''s the truth. I push my pet''s down people''s throats? Argument - no - just NOT AGREEING with YOU.

And, no I don''t push my pet''s down people''s throat - pretty ugly words. BTW, do you know the reason I don''t have children? Simply couldn''t - cruel but truth. Don''t push your thoughts on me.

Well, all I can say is you must think you resemble that remark, or else you wouldn''t have taken offense. Or did you just want to argue, too? I don''t need to push my thoughts on anyone, you don''t have to read my posts, you know. There are a couple of people who post here that I usually take offense to, or just plain don''t like their posts. I usually don''t read theirs.

I''m sorry for you that you couldn''t have children. That''s too bad, if you wanted them.

Nope, don''t resemble that remark. You know NOTHING about me and my relationships with ANYONE, especially that of my dogs.

BTW, just a little tidbit - I am very much into pets in general because I see the enormous healing properties they have. Yes, I shove my dogs down people''s throats in the form of Therapy Dog. Your so uninformed about my pet and it is beyond bizare that you can make such blanket judgements about people.

Who give''s a rat darn if someone takes their pet to a spa? My dog isn''t going to school with your child. My dog isn''t going to impregant your child. My dog isn''t going to turn your children onto drugs or ask that they skip school. By the way that I raise my dog, it has NO impact on your life or that of your children.

It blows my mind that someone whould bother themselves to write passage after passage judging how someone treats their pet. It has no bearing on you. It is not me that is fanatical.

And your tirade about "what planet you live on". I made no such comment. I didn''t know what world (reality) you live it; but, the way people refer to their dogs in my world is completely different. And, good for you for a recollection from 30 years ago. For the life of me, I can''t remember how people refered to their pets except that ours were always a member of the family.

If I offend you because I disagree with you, please ignore me. It seems ANYONE who disagrees with you offends you.

 

[moremoremore]

Every single freakin time I see a pet...I SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't say the same for children
So keep bringing those pets with you when you go out...he/she has a healing properties for strangers too

 

[AGBF]

Date: 7/8/2005 10:12:41 AM
Author: moremoremore
Every single freakin time I see a pet...I SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go look at the "Patience and Tolerance" thread, then. You''ll smile twice .

Deb

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 7/8/2005 10:12:41 AM
Author: moremoremore
Every single freakin time I see a pet...I SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can''t say the same for children
So keep bringing those pets with you when you go out...he/she has a healing properties for strangers too

Babies and children melt my heart as well. Most innocent creatures have healing properties.

 

[moremoremore]

AGBF- I am sitting here at work trying to finish up some litigation papers...and there is it. A HUGE SMILE!!! SEVERAL OF THEM!!!

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/8/2005 10:09:18 AM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 7/7/2005 7:56:38 PM
Author: sjz

Date: 7/7/2005 7:17:28 PM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 7/7/2005 7:10:08 PM
Author: sjz
Something else interesting I've noticed while reading this thread...most of you who are staunchly defending the fact that you love your pets just as much as other people love their children, say that to you your pets ARE your children DON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN and/or DON'T WANT ANY CHILDREN. Most of the people arguing the opposite view point have BOTH pets and children.

Nobody that I've seen so far has said that it's terrible not to want either pets or children. That doesn't seem to be an issue. I have noticed something, in real life, not just here...people who are EXCLUSIVELY pet people and have no kids are the ones who are constantly trying to push thier pets down other people's throats, and make OTHER people treat and veiw their pets in the same way as children. That's what bugs me.

Oh yes, that's the truth. I push my pet's down people's throats? Argument - no - just NOT AGREEING with YOU.

And, no I don't push my pet's down people's throat - pretty ugly words. BTW, do you know the reason I don't have children? Simply couldn't - cruel but truth. Don't push your thoughts on me.

Well, all I can say is you must think you resemble that remark, or else you wouldn't have taken offense. Or did you just want to argue, too? I don't need to push my thoughts on anyone, you don't have to read my posts, you know. There are a couple of people who post here that I usually take offense to, or just plain don't like their posts. I usually don't read theirs.

I'm sorry for you that you couldn't have children. That's too bad, if you wanted them.

Nope, don't resemble that remark. You know NOTHING about me and my relationships with ANYONE, especially that of my dogs.

BTW, just a little tidbit - I am very much into pets in general because I see the enormous healing properties they have. Yes, I shove my dogs down people's throats in the form of Therapy Dog. Your so uninformed about my pet and it is beyond bizare that you can make such blanket judgements about people.

Who give's a rat darn if someone takes their pet to a spa? My dog isn't going to school with your child. My dog isn't going to impregant your child. My dog isn't going to turn your children onto drugs or ask that they skip school. By the way that I raise my dog, it has NO impact on your life or that of your children.

It blows my mind that someone whould bother themselves to write passage after passage judging how someone treats their pet. It has no bearing on you. It is not me that is fanatical.

And your tirade about 'what planet you live on'. I made no such comment. I didn't know what world (reality) you live it; but, the way people refer to their dogs in my world is completely different. And, good for you for a recollection from 30 years ago. For the life of me, I can't remember how people refered to their pets except that ours were always a member of the family.

If I offend you because I disagree with you, please ignore me. It seems ANYONE who disagrees with you offends you.

Honey, I wasn't talking about YOU in the first place with the original post that you quoted and replied to. YOU were the one who assumed that I was for some reason. Initially, I was referring to people IN GENERAL who want everyone they know to view their pets as children. Like people who want their own parents to treat their pets as "grandchildren" or people who refuse to come to your home unless you allow them to bring their pets, because their pets are "their children". Or people who get upset with you because you "forgot" to send their dog a birthday card. THAT kind of people. You're right. I have no way of knowing if you what kind of person you are. If you are one of those types of people that I just described, then I guess you were right to take offense. If not...don't worry about it and don't take everything so personal! I've left the entire string of posts that you are referring to intact, go back and re-read it please, and tell me where I judged YOU or specifically attacked YOU! When speaking of people pushing their pets down other people's throats, I was referring to things that I've noticed in REAL life, not in the cyber world. OK? Is that clear? I'm not going to apologize to you for something that I didn't say.

As far as therapy dogs go...I applaud that. I really do. I've seen first hand what kinds of miracles they can do with alzheimer's patients. I have been known to take my dog to visit a shut in now and then, even though she is not a therapy dog. She's just a very happy friendly dog that most people think is really really cute.

As far as my statements being inflamatory, or my words ugly...I think it no more so that those of you who seem to think it's ok to attack me for stating MY opinions. Fair enough?

 

[Mara]

sjz, chill out. no one is 'attacking' you for stating your opinions. people just don't agree. that's normal. i guess it's just how an opinion is stated that either goes over well or not at all.

as F&I noted, we get how you feel, so why do you keep feeling the need to keep this going? why do you keep posting line after line and responding to every post? i agree that seems a bit 'fanatical'.

i'd much rather you just bow out of this thread and let the rest of us nutsos talk about our pets.

and for the record, i could care less what some random person on a diamond forum thinks of me...that's pretty well known around here. so what you are saying does not bother me at all, i adore my dog and our families joke around about how sick we are over her and what a great life she has. that's just a fact of our life.

what bothers me is how you feel you aren't attacking or judging others when in reality every post drips with passive aggressive connotations. at least be honest about how you feel.

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 7/8/2005 11:23:01 AM
Author: Mara
sjz, chill out. no one is ''attacking'' you for stating your opinions. people just don''t agree. that''s normal. i guess it''s just how an opinion is stated that either goes over well or not at all.

as F&I noted, we get how you feel, so why do you keep feeling the need to keep this going? why do you keep posting line after line and responding to every post? i agree that seems a bit ''fanatical''.

i''d much rather you just bow out of this thread and let the rest of us nutsos talk about our pets.

and for the record, i could care less what some random person on a diamond forum thinks of me...that''s pretty well known around here. so what you are saying does not bother me at all, i adore my dog and our families joke around about how sick we are over her and what a great life she has. that''s just a fact of our life.

what bothers me is how you feel you aren''t attacking or judging others when in reality every post drips with passive aggressive connotations. at least be honest about how you feel.

Couldn''t agree more, Mara. Now, back to my regularly scheduled program of over indulging my pet.

 

[sjz]

Date: 7/8/2005 11:23:01 AM
Author: Mara
sjz, chill out. no one is 'attacking' you for stating your opinions. people just don't agree. that's normal. i guess it's just how an opinion is stated that either goes over well or not at all.

as F&I noted, we get how you feel, so why do you keep feeling the need to keep this going? why do you keep posting line after line and responding to every post? i agree that seems a bit 'fanatical'.

i'd much rather you just bow out of this thread and let the rest of us nutsos talk about our pets.

and for the record, i could care less what some random person on a diamond forum thinks of me...that's pretty well known around here. so what you are saying does not bother me at all, i adore my dog and our families joke around about how sick we are over her and what a great life she has. that's just a fact of our life.

what bothers me is how you feel you aren't attacking or judging others when in reality every post drips with passive aggressive connotations. at least be honest about how you feel.

You all keep replying to my posts, too, ya know. I haven't replied to every post, BTW... only the ones directed at me for the most part. I am not throwing out connotations or "dripping" with passive aggressiveness, or even insuinating things. I've been very plain spoken about the way I feel, just like everyone else. Just because *I* don't want to back down anymore than some of the rest of you doesn't mean that I think I'm right and others are wrong, or visa versa. Why do you want me to "bow out" of the thread? Because you don't agree with me, or because you are sick of my posts? Easy solution, just don't read them, let alone reply to most of them. You keep saying that you don't care what I think anyway, so why should it matter what I post on the subject? I've tried to be polite (maybe I didn't succeed as well as I thought).

For the record, I've already received PM's from people who agree with me, but didn't want to post on this thread because they figured it would just fuel the fire. That's fine. I don't blame 'em. And also for the record...I love pets, I love animals in general. I foster that love of animals in my children and anyone else that will listen to my opinions. I give both my time and my money to animal charities. I love kids, too. I don't consider myself "fanatic" about either one of them. I do know people who are fanatic, about BOTH kids and pets. Personally, I think being overly enthusiastic about anything is kind of silly, but as you so succinctly put it in another one of your many posts...whatever floats your boat. I think that some of you do the very thing I've been accused (wrongly IMO) of doing...judging what I'm really like (based on statements taken out of context from some of my posts) If you guys would bother to read and quote EVERYTHING I say, you will find that I've had a lot of positive things to say about pets and pet owners. But I have read comments from other's on this thread that children are annoying, spoiled, demanding, ungrateful, and a lot of other unflattering opinons. Do you think that is somehow nicer, less inflamatory, or ugly than anything I've said?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/8/2005 10:12:41 AM
Author: moremoremore
Every single freakin time I see a pet...I SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can''t say the same for children
So keep bringing those pets with you when you go out...he/she has a healing properties for strangers too

MMM
you would have a BIGGER smile with 1/2 dozen kids

running around the house.

 

[Mara]

well it's quite obvious neither side will be happy with the outcome and debating point by point is tedious at best so i'm done with replying. sjz, no one 'attacked' you for your opinions nor was there intent, even though you feel much maligned.

your first post noted you possibly should not have entered this thread and i wholeheartedly agree.

i will say that it drives me nuts when people say 'oh and i've had PM's agreeing with me'...does that somehow validate your point? i am always curious about this...i feel someone's argument or debate should be able to stand on it's own rather than pulling in ghost writers to back them up. people should speak up if they feel so inclined, whether they agree or not! !

 

[Kaleigh]

That was for MMM, and the thought of having 6 kids running through her house!!!

 

[jellybean]

6 kids...all MMM has to do is come by my house for an hour.

Well I''m going to come out and say that I was one of those that PM''s sjz and thought she was being unfairly attacked. I think Suzi saying that she received PM''s was not to validate that she was "right", just that others agreed with her. There is no right or wrong here - just different opinions.
And just because she is in the minority here and has kids (or so it seems those with kids is the minority) doesn''t mean she''s "wrong" for voicing her opinions. I think a lot of people took her posts out of context.

I''ve had pets and now I have kids. I love both, but I never treated my pets like "kids" -- and that is just me personally. It''s safe to say that those that don''t have kids (for whatever reason) will never understand those that do and that is fine.

 

[Mara]

Good for you for speaking up JellyBean. We need more opinions around here.

My comment about PM's is not just directed at this thread...I see a tendency for that to be said when people feel they are in the minority and feel they need support, and I wish others would come out and speak their own minds rather than someone having to say 'well i got pm's that agree'. To me that means nothing.

For the record, I love when people have strong opinions and debate them or speak their minds.

I don't agree about taking posts out of context...I think the jist was very clear. But that's just my opinion.

As I have said about 12 times in this post. Have kids. Have dogs. Have both. who cares. One is not right or wrong. Live and let live as long as people are HAPPY and no one is getting hurt. No one needs lectures on whether or not to have kids or how to live their lives.

Okay F&I...say it with me..WHITE OFF RICE! I'm done. I have a meeting! Damn work.

 

[Kaleigh]

Ok what does WHITE OFF RICE mean for those of us that haven''t been here long. F&I, please tell us!!!

 

[Lorelei]

That''s what I was wondering?

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 7/8/2005 12:22:53 PM
Author: jellybean
6 kids...all MMM has to do is come by my house for an hour.

Well I''m going to come out and say that I was one of those that PM''s sjz and thought she was being unfairly attacked. I think Suzi saying that she received PM''s was not to validate that she was ''right'', just that others agreed with her. There is no right or wrong here - just different opinions.
And just because she is in the minority here and has kids (or so it seems those with kids is the minority) doesn''t mean she''s ''wrong'' for voicing her opinions. I think a lot of people took her posts out of context.

I''ve had pets and now I have kids. I love both, but I never treated my pets like ''kids'' -- and that is just me personally. It''s safe to say that those that don''t have kids (for whatever reason) will never understand those that do and that is fine.

Well - words used are what one objects to. "NUTS" "FANATICAL" - an opinion is one thing - raising it to a crime against nature is another.

It''s not a leap of faith to treat a pet like in a child like way. In the purest sense, you are their caretaker & nuturer. And, I''ve never said that it is the same love or the same treatment. It''s a dog for pete''s sake. It''s a different love. It would be sad to see either pet or child not be nutured & cared for.

And, to think that I will never understand that love and bond one has for a child is arrogant just because I haven''t had the FIRST HAND ON experience. I witness it with my friends & I saw the pain my mother had to go through when losing one of her own. I don''t think anyone was equating the two on an equal level.

People can be just as "nuts" in the way they treat their kids. It''s just that the ramification of those actions can affect society.

I guess I am thankful for all those that surround me that UNDERSTAND how much my pet''s mean to me. I''m also grateful that they RESPECT our situation. I''m also grateful that I have enough empathy to respect their situation.

I''m so done with this.

 

[Kaleigh]

F&I,
What does WHITE OFF RICE mean??? MMM do you know???

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 7/8/2005 12:29:05 PM
Author: Mara

Okay F&I...say it with me..WHITE OFF RICE! I''m done. I have a meeting! Damn work.

I''ll explain. A few years ago, Mara and I were going back and forth on an issue that should have died a swift death. Nearly simultaneously, we accused each other of "wearing the white off of rice". So, when a dead horse has been beaten, it''s time to move on.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/5/2005 7:46:48 PM
Author: sjz

I''m not touching this thread with a ten foot pole!

sjz
i think you need a twenty foot pole.

i know how most of the non parents here feels about kids and pets. if they have kids in the future,they will know it''s a different feeling.