"poor" people owning dogs

I did not wish to start arguments :) I realize my post was very general but I'm really talking about myself and my situation, not saying that no "poor" people should own an animal. After reading all your posts and thinking about it I would say these situations should be judged on an individual basis. I just want to be the most responsible owner I can be. I miss my dog so much and want another to share my love and life with, I just want to do it at the proper time.

Yes, all situations are different. Suebee, no one is insinuating that people with less money don't love their dogs as much (and I also wouldn't generalize and say financial status is a gauge of how much love someone give to a pet or anything, rich or poor). That isn't the issue. The point I made was that love alone does not make other factors of owning a pet obsolete. The issue is that owning a pet costs money and there are a lot of people out there that don't take those potential costs into consideration when deciding to get one.

amen!