Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Hard to believe, but for some humans, pet ownership has become a competitive sport.
Actually, the word ‘pet’ is inappropriate in some circles. We’re animal companions.
For these folks, it’s all about the RIGHT food. And no matter how good your food is, someone else is doing it better.
No matter what training you gave to us, it wasn’t enough or the right kind.
You gotta give to the ‘right’ rescues. Because your money has to go to the animals.
And of course, if your dog or cat didn’t come from a rescue, you aren’t cool.
Now I know you guys aren’t like that. Right? But some people are, and it makes me sad when they expect all the rest of you to meet their unrealistic expectations.
So here’s the thing: you want to keep up with the Jones’ dogs or cats, bully for you.
But if you’re on a fixed income and the best you can do is store brand food for a much-loved pet, then that’s OK with me too.
If you want to only give to shelters, that’s cool. And if, like me, you’re a Big Picture thinker who wants to help make things better for all animals, then Rock On!
All I’m saying is you humans have gotten too good at finding ways to separate yourselves from each other. How about not using us as one of the ways you judge?
March 23, 2012 at 3:14 AM
Right on Rumpy !
March 23, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Thanks Chabs!
March 23, 2012 at 3:38 AM
You said it as it is, good for you!
March 23, 2012 at 3:59 AM
Ahem… well said.
March 23, 2012 at 4:12 AM
I hear you.
More love is always needed and this competing business is not helping.
Just love your pet or better said let the beautiful animal that is part of your family receive endless of love
Keep up the good work
perfect love!
March 23, 2012 at 9:18 AM
woo woo woo!
March 23, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Too true!
March 23, 2012 at 5:38 AM
So well said Rumpy…
March 23, 2012 at 6:09 AM
Totally!
Sammy
March 23, 2012 at 6:17 AM
Rumpy,
Yew always tell it like it is, thanks. I am a dog who got his forever home. My Mommie does all she can fur me and i appawciate it soooo much.
But yew rite, it is not a competition. It is about love and affection, companionship and helping out those less fortunate.
Thanks for giving us your perspective, which just happens to usually be the one that’s right on track.
Paw Waves Pal,
ChazzTheDog
March 23, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Congrats on being a Blogpaws finalist Chazz!
March 23, 2012 at 6:36 AM
I think that loving your animal unconditionally is true love between owner and their pets. No need to compete….doesn’t matter how your pets look like….because they are part of your family…
March 23, 2012 at 6:58 AM
Amen brother! xx
March 23, 2012 at 7:14 AM
Right on Rumpy… Couldn’t have said it better myself… woof..!
March 23, 2012 at 7:29 AM
As long as we are quoting popular song and popular culture, I’ll just say that all you need is love, and love will keep us together.
March 23, 2012 at 9:17 AM
Here’s my favorite: I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadow. If I fail, if I succeed, at least I live as I believe. No matter what they take from me, they can’t take away my dignity. Because the greatest love of all is happening to me. I found the greatest love of all inside of me!
March 23, 2012 at 9:31 AM
Sadly reminded of that recently with Whitney, for whom love was not enough, but the George Benson version from before he left Pittsburgh (my hometown) was my guiding light through the difficult years. Yes.
March 23, 2012 at 8:02 AM
We all love animals and we do the best we can for them. Never try to keep up with the Jones’ because that will never work. Since we adopted our dog, Nikita, from the APL two years ago, we gave her a second chance at life & a forever home. We do the best we can and we provide her with all the love in the world. That is why the APL has such a special place in our heart, and we are trying to help give back to them. We are collecting donations for the APL for their annual fundraiser, and we would like everyone to help get the word out. We are here for the animals who need our help! If you would like to help, here is the donation link: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/themesnthings/2012-doggy-dollars-kitty-kash or if you have your own blog, you can visit our blog & copy the text to add our button on your blog to help us spread the word! We appreciate all the help, and so will the animals who can’t speak for themselves.
March 23, 2012 at 9:15 AM
Good luck with your event Nikita!
March 23, 2012 at 8:05 AM
People use their kids like that too. What’s next? Potted plant competitions (maybe it’s already happening). Many human grown-ups are kind of dumb.
March 23, 2012 at 9:15 AM
It’s pretty sad for those kids. Now they have to measure up right out of the womb, or they might not make the right preschool.
March 23, 2012 at 8:16 AM
So true – it’s like simple luv isn’t enough, we have prove it by being elitist.
March 23, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Sometimes I wonder if you humans remember how to love anymore.
March 23, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Dear Rumpydog – if humans don’t judge, they can’t exist.
It’s called The Human Condition…
March 23, 2012 at 9:13 AM
Dear 68ghia, The target audience of this post was not those that play the one-upmanship game. This post was written for those of us who are tired of being judged “not good enough.” I want those folks to know that not everyone is playing that game, and that they are welcome here.
March 23, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Thank heavens not everybody is playing that game!!
I certainly don’t!
March 23, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Maybe humans can be bred for the empathy gene. Then we could have empathy competitions between the breeds. Degree-of-difficulty points awarded for understanding, healing, and improving the mood of a sibling. A mate. A member of the military. A candidate for political office. The imagination reels.
March 23, 2012 at 9:14 AM
Nah, that’ll never happen.
March 23, 2012 at 11:57 AM
You think?
March 23, 2012 at 9:41 AM
Said Superbly Rumpy!!! The bestest thingy Peeps can give us is LOVE.
March 23, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Sounds like a June Buggie rant I’d totally agree with.
Hey Rumpy, I was planning to reply on the post before this one but when I tried securing my message, I accidentally pasted it with something else. LOL, stupid me.
I didn’t have this issue before- regarding the posting with my old email. But now, it says, this email is already registered to another user.
So now, I’m using another email because logging in through wordpress is kind of a hassle ^_^.
Huggies and Cheese,
Haopee
March 23, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Right on, Rumpy!!! Just like everything else in life, whatever works best for you, as long as it doesn’t hurt others, is the best way to go. Mom says she totally understands what you are saying.
Have a great weekend.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
March 23, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Rumpy,
Great thoughts! Humans make everything so complicated. Us dogs just love and want love in return. That is the most important thing.
Bella and DiDi
March 23, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Well said, Rumpy. Rock on!
March 23, 2012 at 12:10 PM
it is all grotesque
March 23, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Hey Rumpy, Jet here. Couldn’t have stated it better if I tried… Dude, you should run for president!
March 23, 2012 at 12:31 PM
It is sad when that happens. I wish that people would try to think about what it feels like wearing someone else’s shoes before judging. Maybe then people wouldn’t think they had to compete. Have a good weekend, Rumpy.
Love,
Payton
March 23, 2012 at 10:11 PM
You too Payton!
March 23, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Wise words, Rumpy!
I couldn’t agree with you more.
March 23, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Right on!
Kisses
Nellie
March 23, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Right on, pal!
March 23, 2012 at 2:31 PM
Such an insightful life lesson, my friend. We humans have much to learn about love, don’t we?
March 23, 2012 at 4:26 PM
I think a good start would be to understand what love really is.
March 23, 2012 at 5:24 PM
How true. Media has given the delusion that we can buy it and somehow spending money is better than spending time.
You understand what it is. Thanks for being friends.
<3
March 23, 2012 at 3:33 PM
One of your very best posts, Rumpy! DO NOT USE CHILDREN OR WIVES OR BIG_EARNER HUSBANDS OR YOUR PETS AS MEANS OF JUDGING OTHERS. We need to STOP this divisive nonsense!
March 23, 2012 at 4:23 PM
woo woo woo Granbee!
March 23, 2012 at 7:44 PM
I don’t tend to worry too much about what others think about my choices regarding rescue, training, and food. I have learned a great deal from good friends, family, online contacts, professionals, and care takers who have been involved in the dogs’ lives so I am open to learning. However, when it gets to be a contest I don’t play.
We have been blessed with two beautiful companions and if people have an issue with our choices I am not concerned. There are people I trust who would tell us if were where in need of adjustment. The rest is all a matter of opinion and we all have them.
March 23, 2012 at 10:04 PM
You are very fortunate. Some of us are not so.
March 23, 2012 at 8:15 PM
A GREAT BIG COLLIE CHEER RUMPY!!!! You got it right. Live and let live… Love is what makes it all work and as long as all the furry family members are loved that is what is important.
Your cheering friends!
the collies and chuck
March 23, 2012 at 10:04 PM
woo woo woo to you Chuck and collies!
March 23, 2012 at 9:41 PM
I have to tell ya I really enjoyed this post.
One of the things that i experience is a sense of shame and embarrassment when I mention that I PURCHASED Dakota from (gasp) a breeder. I hate when I qualify that with “but we looked for Sheltie Rescues FIRST” (which we did!!!) there were none in our area.
Our cat, Cody, was adopted at an adoption expo at Petco almost 5 yrs ago.
I hate that i fall victim to being embarrassed about how we acquired our dog……thank you for addressing this. All that matters is that we give LOVE…and do the best that we can do. I am unemployed (have been for 4 years now) and we all do the best that we can do.
March 23, 2012 at 10:02 PM
I think it’s time for some healing, and that comes through first accepting that we’re not less than because we don’t measure up to somebody else’s expectations.
And you’re not the only one to mention to me that experience.
March 25, 2012 at 1:01 PM
Oh my Cat! Caren, we feels so awful that YOU feels awful! Yes, there are bad puppy mill places, but not all are fur sure!
March 24, 2012 at 12:54 AM
Shiloh’n Shasta here – we are new here but mom sez we are going to follow you now – this iz an intersting post. We all know what you mean – according to a lot of what haz read, we came frum a bakyard breeder but mom sez she thinkz of the breeder az a hobby breeder – the breeder took much better care of us than the typical bakyard breeder wood. An’mom iz fairly happy with what she providez fer us – we are too.
By the way, thank you fer stopping by our blog – that’z how we found u. An’Shiloh iz doing better – he was running around the yard earlier, happy az ever.
Shiloh’n Shasta
(mom Kim too)
March 24, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Great post! I have one in the works related to this topic.
March 24, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Great! Look forward to seeing it!
March 25, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Well said! I’ve been trying to choke out a blog post with the same sentiment for ages now, but too much else has been getting in the way — so I’ll just say Hooray!
March 25, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Thanks! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that feels this way.