what is not being said is that there are layers, upon layers to your question, and it’s not cut, clear, and dry either.

Animals have been known to pick people with no money or very little means when "Abandonened, and at least the person has common sense enough to ask, What do I do, and then someone with means makes the thoughtless statement, "What are you doing with an animal, you have no business with one.

What about a woman who might have a pet that just adopted her, but is going through a divorce and the husband is locking her out of the house, taking the money, and doing really stupid things.

The unexpected happens. Not every need can be planned for financially, and
to be honest with you

We as humans are complex creatures, and it’s great, life is good if we can afford and finance for "emergencies, or the unexpected, but life even with our animal friends just doesn’t happen that way.

At least even those with few means that post questions here at least have hearts big enough to ask, what do I do about a pet in need occassionally.

just don’t brace yourself to judge harshly because noone really knows anyones true circumstances when posting questions on forums for help.

Be compassionate, honest, even when it’s difficult.

suebee, I don’t know who you are addressing your ire to but you epitomize the whole point we were making. I am assuming by the tone of your post that you consider your self poor. However, you ARE taking care of your animals. You are providing them with the medical care they need. No – love & food are NOT enough & will never be. If an animal is sick or injured it DOES need medical care. In many states the law requires veterinary care when needed (not all). I had a dog brought to me one time by state police. The owner was a homeless man who was now in jail for 10 days. I kept the dog (& all his belongings) until the man came. The dog was not only UTD but on HW meds too. I told him he owed me nothing but he insisted on paying the dogs way. I had a lot of respect for that man as a dog owner.

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.

Ok here is some more thoughts on that subject. My dogs eat food from the feed store or grocery store. Joy, Alpo or Ol Roy from Wal Mart. I do not buy expensive food like Iams or Science Diet, the food I buy has given my dogs many many years of life. The cats eat 9 Lives or Friskies. As far as the animals go on health care, I am lower middle class not poverty but we do live payday to payday since my husband is on disability. So, you learn how to take care of minor illnesses or injuries yourself, not run to the vet everytime. I do agree something major or something that could turn into more should be handled by a vet or if its something I’m not familiar with. Alot of things can be handled by over the counter items, but again you have to know what your doing (like never giving Tylenol etc.)
3 of the dogs that I have are strays that irresponsible pet owners neglected and came here that I chose to take in. Even bought the neighbor food for his.I think we can all agree, Rich or Poor people who love their animals have big hearts and will do anything for them, but unfortunately there are some that get them just for looks and could care less about them. My animals have been here with me to listen to me when I’m down, they lay with me if I’m sick, they love me unconditionally. I didn’t mean to offend anybody because if your on here, you must love animals too…My heart breaks for the dogs that are neglected, abused and alone. I can’t imagine my life without my babies to share it with.

ok if the food I buy is soooo bad how come they are all geriatric….all over 10 yrs old and there is NO ONE that knows me would say my animals go hungry ever! The cat I just lost was 16. Beagle is 16. Husky is 15. Collie/chow is 12. Part Lab is 10 yrs old. Stray is 13 and yes I DO KNOW where she came from….this particular dog was hauled off by a neighbor and the guy who hauled her off came to my house bragging about it and I made him go back and get her..he stuck her in the trunk of a car and when he opened the trunk she jumped in my husbands arms, we had her spayed and shes still here. STRAY about 10 yrs old belonged to another neighbor, he came time and time again to take him home and he kept coming back so he GAVE him to me, he said the dog liked me better, just keep him. STRAY belonged to ANOTHER neighbor the one I bought food for he refused to go home, he’s still here so owner told us to keep him. Any other strays that come around I do check bulletin boards and even publish it in the newspaper. I have found homes for countless dogs/cats. I am friends with the Dog Pound officer in our County and when I have had to turn one in he would try to find them a home. The remaining cat I have is about 11 yrs old so you tell me how can fancy dog/cat food be so much better than what I feed? Dogs/Cats die from fancy food or grocery store food and can have the same problems no matter what you feed them.
And just for the record……ALL of my animals are spayed and neutered.

EXACTLY!!!!!! How well you put it….my husband and I agree with you 110%….I couldn’t have said it better myself. That was my point too…

rat lover please becareful not to point fingers. You don’t walk in Paris Hilton’s shoes We don’t know what’s behind the glamour and glitz.

BUt the main point is:
God gave us all brains, and being poor is a label that doesn’t fit most good folks that have pets they care and cherish so much.

We are all wealthy in what we come to offer when we are concerned about our pets and love them dearly.

to do your best is fine as long as it meets the needs of the pet. If the pet has medical needs & you cannot or do not provide that – then no, it is not enough. To do your best but not be able to provide the glitz – then of course it is