Buffalo Rising Online

KIYARIAN: I wasn't going to comment here because we very recently had our 16 year old, very loved dog euthanized at the SPCA, so, for a little while, such matters are a touchy thought, but, after reading your comment, here goes:

We see all the media exposure about cats. The day we were at the SPCA, there were many kittens just brought in. I couldn't resist petting them. THEY WERE MEWING AT ME FOR GOODNESS SAKE! (But we can't have any because a precious family-member-in-law is dangerously allergic.)

Before the above mentioned human family member actually stepped foot into our house, we had ~(I should say I had--my husband has no say, but he loved them anyway!)~ we had four cats that found their way to our house.

Those cats were their own in-house community and gave us tons of love and appreciation. They gave far more love and amusement than they ever were any bother. They did not go outside; AFTER neutering, they lost any instincts to go out into the cold or heat! (I found new homes for them and asked how they were; they all lived a long time.)

While they were our babies, all four cats were spayed and neutered at our vet's. The SPCA does all that at a huge savings--dogs are also microchipped at the SPCA.

Spaying and neutering a cat OR DOG makes them healthier and lengthens their lives. (Our pets were never in pain after these procedures--it was just a matter of no roughhousing for a few days until the incision had time to close off; not bleed.)

Today, we still have two other dogs. One is an 11 years old spayed female, and does NOT show or act her age! The other is a wonderful little neutered punk who wonders where his big brother has vanished to. Our old dog was neutered as a pup. He was still in his puppyhood, running and jumping until two weeks ago...

We have had other dogs spayed and neutered--they all did live long and healthy lives--(we are old--there is a lot that we can attest to now!!!)

Another matter: I wonder if people feel they can't take in a living, loving pet because dog's and cat's life spans are so much shorter than ours. Don't sweat that thought. Love them, then, when itS their time to go, let them. Understand that enthanizing is a peaceful procedure for beloved creatures that CANNOT have our life spans. And, it is done just as lovingly but MUCH cheaper at the SPCA.

And, the loss of one, take in a new one as soon as possible, because, lord knows, there are so very many lovebugs ALIVE and waiting for people to take them in!!!

As a matter of fact, take in TWO. We adopt at least two of each kind of pet. (The other two in our house right now are two Society Finches).

A long time ago, we had one dog that our neighbors said howled dreadfully when we left the house. Bringing in another dog made the first dog's loneliness go away, and didn't add much to the care and feeding while it did add to the loving!

(I'm not going to mention our healthy pet food or flea ellimination choices that are low cost because our dog's vet and pet food manufacturers don't want to discuss a cheaper way.) But our dogs are our Companions who's treats are milky-bony, and, there's what Borax can do...

And when it comes to buying more expensive stuff, remember, supermarkets DO NOT ALLOW PETS, while some pet stores do; but, even if you take your pet to a pet store, an animal can't read packaging and can't sniff through the wrapping. They go inside interested in the other pets and people in the pet shop. IIs a social experience for poochy, not an all-you-can-eat event!