Vet Bill ---- holy..!

[Undertoad]

America is the only country I've ever been to where people don't treat pets like animals. In most other countries they don't buy special food for cats and dogs. They don't let animals into the house. They don't dress up dogs or cats or buy them gifts at Christmas. They don't allow dogs to lick their faces, etc.

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.

[Radar]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Yes, they treat their women like chattel too.

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.

Originally Posted by Undertoad

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Undertoad

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Undertoad

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?

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.

Originally Posted by Undertoad

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.

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.