Opened my eyes

[diane]

Just wanted to let everyone know how much this site and all other animal welfare issues have helped me to grow into a better person. Growing up I was in a low income family with one parent and 5 siblings. My grandmother used to run a puppy mill. So growing up I had a very different view on animal treatment all around me. Even when I was younger it didn't seem right to me.

My family now doesn't like it when I tell them that animals have feelings and needed to be treated with respect. And if they are sick take them to the vet. Sadly there idea is if they are sick shot them. But the animals life is typically a free ad animal who is put in a small cage or put on a chain in the back farthest corner of the yard.

Now I know this post doesnot envoke the warmest images, but it has allowed me to see how wrong my family's view on things are. I just wanted to thank all of the people who started these sites and are involved in them it makes me feel like all people are not cold hearted and ignorant (uneducated) about animal rights.

Sadly my family views others feelings the same as the animal. My own mother and father thought since I had a roof over my head and food I should be happy.

I myself am now a mother of an 18 month old. He already has a love for animals. He rarely runs across an animal that he doesn't like. I teach him to respect animals and people alike. My son thinks he is a doggie.

To get back on target I just wanted to thank all of the people who read this and who participate in any rights issues. I feel when you learn that people and animals both have feelings that need addressed it makes you more aware of what you say and do to others be it two legs or four.

Thanks

[existenz]

My cousin used to call her mutt dog her brother when she was little (like your son)

[My 3 Sons]

That is truely a good thing that you posted. The display of love, kindness & compassion towards animals, (not just ones own pets) can generally be an indication of a persons warmth towards humanity, and vis-versa. I can make a snap judgement of ones terrible character & dishonesty if they would stoop to animal abuse. I would not do business with, nor be friends with anyone thats mean to innocent & defenseless creatures.

[fourbwabbys]

That's great that you can use your knowledge now to help. Sometimes it just takes the right education to turn things around. My little brother also went through the "I'm a doggy" phase. It was quite cute, he would bark and lick my leg.

[katiecavyNC]

I have to say, it is telling that you said they treated their human companions (children) similar to the animal ones. I think you can tell a lot about what type of parent someone will be by the way they treat their animals, and vice-versa...

Glad that you have learned from watching what NOT to do while growing up! I know your son (and pets) will only benefit from your experiences.

[redangel1300]

I have always ben an animal lover. As a child I would take in any needy animal that I could find. I once picked a puppy up at McDonals that a little boy was trying to get rid of. It was a terrible looking little dog covered in mange. I named him Mac (since we got him from McDonalds) I took him home without my mother knowing. When I told her to go in look in the back yard the first thing she said is "you better not have brought home another dog" My mom said I had what she called a Mac Syndrome and that I always brought home the sickest, ugliest animals that I could fine. She was terrified that it might carry over to the man I would marry since I always brought home terrible looking animals. I have always been a sucker for an animal in need. My mom always thought I would out grow it since she did, but it has never happened. I am going to be 28 in a few weeks and I still take on every stray that comes my way and rehome them. It acutally makes me physically feel bad to see a lost or injured animal running down the street and not do anything to help. I feel like God put animals on this earth for a reason and we should help them when they need it. My sons are growing up to be the same way and my dear hubby has just given up trying to fight me about taking in animals and just shakes his head. He says my compassion is one of the things he loves most about me and he has learned just to stand back and let me go.

[diane]

It is so funny about my son acting like a puppy. We even had to buy him a smaller version of one of the dogs stuffed animals becase he kept trying to take it from the dogs and carry it around in his mouth.

My husband also knows that I am a sucker for the "underdog" so to speak. He loves the fact that I am wanting to help. But he fears that our house will turn into an animal house.

His mother house is also this way. She has 4 dogs, 2 birds, 3 saltwater tanks, and 1 cat with another coming around November.

She is a very compassionate person herself. Her cat she has now was a stray 2 week old kitten she found at work and one of the dogs was an abused animal. And the littlest dog has had over a thousand dollars of vet bills due to health problems.

After spending any length of time with my side of the family my husband swears that I was adopted or switched at birth. We do not see or speak to them very often as I will be depressed and upset about some comment they said to me or about me, my husband or son.

This forum has allowed me to meet other people who are just as compassionate about animals as me.

Thank you.

[Carissa]

I admire you diane, its not easy to go against what you are taught as a child but you broke the cycle. The best part is that you're teaching your son to respect and love animals.

I too am forever grateful to this site for giving me the support and knowledge to stand up for what I believe is right. Thanks everybody!

[Lucy99]

I remember that as a 7 year old my parents eventually agreed that we could get a dog, so we did a tour of all the dogs home to find a labrador (that is the only breed of dog they are comfortable with, after having had a rottweiler who turned nasty - our fault not his).

I was the one crying because I wanted to take all the dogs that I thought no-one else would, therefore the ones covered in mange, or the really old ones. My dad would have been up for taking ALL of them, but my mum is a lot harsher and wouldn't allow it. But we did end up with a fantastic lab called Oscar, who I still cry about to this day when I think of the day I had to have him put to sleep.

[Hildi Barnett]

But we did end up with a fantastic lab called Oscar, who I still cry about to this day when I think of the day I had to have him put to sleep.

It's one of the challenges of loving them---getting past the sad memory of when they died and remembering the good times. I know that it is worth it and that I have given many animals good lives that would not have had it otherwise. Several people have been comforted by me saying this to them and so I always try to remember that---remember that despite how it ends you have given them a great life! Kudos to everyone who does....and to the pets that make our lives better as well.