I think that when it comes to panhandling, smelly crackhead with a dog will end up with more money than just a smelly crackhead.

Years ago, this homeless guy was brought in. He had been living in a van with his cat. The cat was absolutely gorgeous. A longhair of some kind with the sweetest ever disposition. She stayed in one of our secure interview rooms for a while, and prospective foster parents (nuthouse staff) came to check her out. After a while the visitors dwindled, and we needed the interview room so we brought her into the office, where she promptly hid under a bookshelf and wouldn't come back out. It had been a very stressful day for her. My department's office manager eventually ended up fostering her, and the homeless guy understood that he wasn't going to be able to take her back while he was trying to get himself back on track, so he signed Morgie over to my cow orker. She lived out the remainder of her days in glorious suburban comfort.

I'm less human because I care about human beings more than I care about animals?

Spot on. There was a guy living under I-95 in Philly, who said he got more contributions for his dog, than for himself.

That isn't really what you said though. You said

You're not saying you don't have the money, or you have it but need to spend it on a human, just that if it's more than X amount you'd rather let your pet die. That comes off as rather shitty.
At the same time, at least you're honest about it. I assume some of the other millions of people who's pets end up being euthanized in shelters feel the same way.

I've heard that Dawn works great on fleas. We used it on our Rocky when he was itty-bitty and too young for the spot treatment. Also my friend Amy says she feeds her two dogs (can't remember the breed - something greyhound-like) garlic capsules and that does the trick.

I voted >$200 before I saw the answer, because I have 6 cats and 3 dogs and I know damn well what they cost. :(

Bri you are welcome to eat dinner with us on Christmas, though tacos sound pretty good, too.

I would think that a homeless guy with a dog would mean that he has hope and at least one best friend who keeps him/her great company and provides them with unconditional love. Maybe the only love they get.

And protection, when they sleeping on the street.

Yes, they treat their women like chattel too.

In the evolved West, we find compassion is not in such limited supply. In fact it's not a currency at all, to be rationed as if there is only enough for humans and none left for animals.

If love is a currency, it doesn't operate like money. Popular songs tell us that when we give it out freely, we get more in return. Guess what. Studies show that pet ownership results in lower blood pressure and a longer life. It isn't the dog or cat that "gives" you this longer life. You can give it to yourself by being a compassionate, caring human being.

And criminologists tell us that someone who is mean to animals as a child is more likely to be a sociopath as an adult. Why is this, Radar. The animals are merely instinctive beasts, with no reason in them. Why are people with no ability to feel compassion for them more likely to be criminal towards human beings?

It's your worst fear realized: your well-being, both mental and physical, depends on your capacity to love. I recommend you find some. You'll be saving your own life.

:notworthy Well said, UT.

(Cue Radar's retort that he loves his family--so much so that he would kill his wife if she ever tried to leave him.)

That's an idiotic statement to make. It's prejudice and factually incorrect. We're not talking about East vs. West. In most nations, including western nations, they don't treat animals like they do in America. They find it hard to justify buying clothing for a pet who doesn't even want it, when there are hungry people in the street.

Who says the West is more evolved? That's a big too much jingoism for my tastes. I find those who place a higher value on human life to be more evolved than those who value the lives of animals above people. In my personal opinion those who have more pets than rooms in their house or those who leave millions of dollars to a pet are insane. They could be helping homeless people, abused children, cancer or stem-cell research, etc.

A dog or cat doesn't care if you're wealthy. They don't care if you feed them pet food or table scraps.


If love is a currency, the love of your fellow man is a hundred dollar bill, and the love of your pet is a quarter. I enjoy pets. I love dogs. I've cried when I've lost a pet. But this doesn't change the fact that people are above animals. The suffering of a an anonymous hungry child is more important to me than whether or not fido gets a sweater, or a squeaky toy. I'm not saying people shouldn't have pets or love their pets. I'm saying they should remember that people are more important than pets. That is a much healthier and more compassionate way to live.



Who said anything about being mean to animals? Feeding them leftovers, and letting them sleep outside is not mean. I've never suggested that anyone should be mean or cruel to animals. And if you have a question about sociopaths, you should address it to UG.


I have no fear of that at all. My life is filled with love, both giving it and receiving it. I can't think of anyone else who is loved more than I am. I'm talking about real love, not a celebrity and his fans, or an acquaintance who say they love you or your work. I'm talking about deep and lasting friendships, wonderful relationships with all my family members, the unconditional love of my daughter, and the love of a beautiful woman who can't stand the thought of ever losing me.

If the capacity to love and be loved is the measure of a long and healthy life, I'll outlive Methuselah. I love pets. I love my fellow people more. I love my friends more. I love my family more.

I love my daughter so much, if she were ill and the only way to save her was to kill every single dog in America, I'd do it. If I had to kill every single monkey on earth, I'd do that too. It's not something I'd enjoy, but I'd do it.

Just thank God your kitteh don't get kidney stones. That's all I'm saying.

We have evolved to care about those close to us; not 'anonymous' people. I care more about anonymous people than i do about anonymous animals. I care more about my pet than i do about anonymous people.

Most countries have different attitudes to different animals. In some countries, dogs are not valued as pets. Then again in some countries pigs are valued as pets. In some countries cows are slaughtered with no regard for their well-being. In other countries they are held up as sacred.

In many countries pets are treated to toys and clothes they don;t need. Often whilst people starve on the streets.

We have not evolved tocare about those people we do not personally know. We have evolved to care about our tribe. Some tribes have adopted dogs into their midst. Some tribes have adopted other animals into their midst. Some tribes have not adopted animals into their midst. Those that care for animals and those that don't are equally likely to allow their fellow man to suffer unduly.

I love my two cats more than I do some hypothetical stranger, but if some little kid came to my door with tears in his eyes and it was somehow either him or my cats, I'd pick the kid.

That said, I buy my cats toys and treats because it makes me happy to see them happy. I give what I can to help other people, too. Its all a continuum as far as I'm concerned.

Just feed the kid to the cats.