MJ's little flock

[LozzyR]

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They look healthier every time you post!

 

[MaryJanet]

Is that a little egg cozy I see off to the side? So cute!

It is! I was given two of them for Christmas many years ago. They're very cute!

 

[MaryJanet]

They look healthier every time you post!

Don't they! They're thriving.

 

[MaryJanet]

Here's a question. We all know and openly acknowledge the joys of providing care for animals. Should that joy be denied to someone who can't afford to provide a high standard of care? Does your answer change if that person can't afford care through no fault of their own? Eg someone who is precluded from wealth by being born into a poor family in a poor nation? What if that's what had happened to you?

Or, just ignore me because I'm being too thoughtful today

 

[RoyalChick]

Here's a question. We all know and openly acknowledge the joys of providing care for animals. Should that joy be denied to someone who can't afford to provide a high standard of care? Does your answer change if that person can't afford care through no fault of their own? Eg someone who is precluded from wealth by being born into a poor family in a poor nation? What if that's what had happened to you?

Or, just ignore me because I'm being too thoughtful today

Oh wow MJ, this may be too heavy a topic for me to engage with properly as I am still not quite back to myself.
My first thoughts are that there are base line responsibilities of caring for an animal - things like food, water, protection from abuse - that can be provided without much resource.
If someone is unable to provide those, they are probably barely able to survive themselves and probably can't care for an animal.
There are also the psychological needs of animals to consider - I always find it heartbreaking when people have to give up their pets for adoption because they lose their home. That just feels like a tragedy all around.
Now my head is hurting again so I am signing off and going to bed.

 

[Ribh]

I am with you on the cat thing. I am perpetually jealous of my cats. They are cozy and lazy and effortlessly elegant and flexible. They are 100% selfish and everyone loves them for it.
When I die I believe I have done enough good things in life that I deserve to come back as a well cosseted house cat!
Just saying.
I am awake now because of jet lag and I left one who moved into the warm spot I left in the bed and has stretched full length to get maximum benefit of the heat and the duvet, and I am at my desk with another who is casually grooming my forearm to make it acceptable for him to use as a pillow. Two others have not shown their faces because they simply don't feel like being sociable right now. Does it get any better?

That sounds too lovely for words!

 

[Ribh]

Here's a question. We all know and openly acknowledge the joys of providing care for animals. Should that joy be denied to someone who can't afford to provide a high standard of care? Does your answer change if that person can't afford care through no fault of their own? Eg someone who is precluded from wealth by being born into a poor family in a poor nation? What if that's what had happened to you?

Or, just ignore me because I'm being too thoughtful today

I'm with RC. There's a base line: food, water, shelter, love. Anyone can give those. Abuse & neglect are not the province of the poor. Rich people can be worse. The number of dogs vets see because owners overindulge them in treats that make them end up sick is just a different sort of abuse.

 

[Ribh]

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Good morning, BYC Friends!
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I always get out my Mom’s Christmas China after Halloween.
I use it for Thanksgiving as well as the whole Christmas season since I only get to enjoy it this time of year.

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Wow. Fantastic!

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh wow MJ, this may be too heavy a topic for me to engage with properly as I am still not quite back to myself.
My first thoughts are that there are base line responsibilities of caring for an animal - things like food, water, protection from abuse - that can be provided without much resource.
If someone is unable to provide those, they are probably barely able to survive themselves and probably can't care for an animal.
There are also the psychological needs of animals to consider - I always find it heartbreaking when people have to give up their pets for adoption because they lose their home. That just feels like a tragedy all around.
Now my head is hurting again so I am signing off and going to bed.

I'm with RC. There's a base line: food, water, shelter, love. Anyone can give those. Abuse & neglect are not the province of the poor. Rich people can be worse. The number of dogs vets see because owners overindulge them in treats that make them end up sick is just a different sort of abuse.

Sorry for putting that topic out there. I'm not sure how it popped into my head but, while I'm sorry, I'm also glad I asked because now I have the benefit of your insights

 

[LozzyR]

Sorry for putting that topic out there. I'm not sure how it popped into my head but, while I'm sorry, I'm also glad I asked because now I have the benefit of your insights

I have to agree with with Ribh and RC. If you don't have a lot of money but are able to provide those things, and don't abuse, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a pet. Maybe not 20, but just one. I think if you can truly love an animal, it helps make you a good person.

I remember my DH told me a story ages ago about one time when he took our cats to the vet. There was a really tough-looking guy there, covered in tats, bawling his eyes out because a dog had mauled his puppy and it had to be put down. Apparently the guy's mum had to come and get him because he was so distraught. I think if you are that moved by the welfare of an animal, you are a good person and deserve to love a pet.

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