Up For Debate: Putting Pets Before People
March 9, 2010 by Kathy McManus
Is it O.K. for humans to care more for their pets than the people in their lives?
Writing in The Wall Street Journal, reporter Elizabeth Bernstein notes that “love triangles” between people and pets “might be the trickiest types of relationships.”
In the Florida home of Marina and Kirk Wolak, one-year-old German shepherd Buck gets better meals than his masters. Mrs. Wolak recently served the dog “steamed broccoli for breakfast, raw ribs for a snack, and a grilled chicken breast and baked sweet potato for dinner,” while her husband and daughter supped on simple chicken. Said Mr. Wolak, “There is only one answer to fixing the wedge between us, and that is to get rid of the dog.”
“Everyone has a story about how their pets have affected their relationships with other people,” writes Bernstein, including the man whose girlfriend broke up with him because he paid more attention to a dog. The man currently owns two sick Pinschers — one with a liver disorder, the other with diabetes. “My dogs and their health have become my priority,” he said, “and I am not sure if I can ever be in a relationship again with someone who doesn’t understand how much I love them.”
“Wow,” commented a Journal reader. “Most of the people in the world don’t have clean water to drink. I like my dog, but you have got to be kidding me.” Substituting pets for children, countered another reader, doesn’t mean it’s a sad world, but rather “more of a responsible world. Not everyone wants or should have children.”
Tell us what you think: Should responsibility to people always come before pets?
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170 Comments
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March 10, 2010 by Ai Zori
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May 17, 2010 by aleigha
well considering that animals cannot talk to us in our own language then the animal is better trusted than a human.
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June 3, 2010 by alyssa moore
why would you want your dog to talk
July 31, 2010 by alex
so do i and people should payatenntion to animals but still their life too i give that an high five
August 8, 2010 by joyce
Very true and the animal cannot tel us when something is wrong, we have to assess and figure it out just as you would if you had a human infant that could not speak our languge yet
August 23, 2010 by vica
what are you doing
May 23, 2010 by Bella
Why do you have to be out of it? You com get more and put it in the store.
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May 23, 2010 by Bella
You can get more and this is the same purson.
June 3, 2010 by alyssa
why would someone do that to her dog that is sad you dont make your dog populer just because ather dogs are populer okay and for you not to pay no mind to your on husbind and kids how sad i give you 0 points and pay more a tinshion to your family your dog is your family okay and another thing spend one day with youer family and one day with your dog go bake and forth okay
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July 25, 2010 by Lilly
I think Humans and animals should be treated equally because for example dogs can't feed themselves. And for example babies can't feed themselves either.
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August 7, 2010 by alexandra goncalves
very accurate your comment..nust be something wrong with the ppl in her life, and the answer is not to get rid of the dog, is not his fault...
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
Bravo, I agree completely, the only beings on the planet I trust 100 % are my dogs. I know they would stick by me thru anything. You have to find that out about another human
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August 29, 2010 by Kevin
That is true; dogs are loyal and they value human friendship. But building a faithfull and trustworthy relationships with human beings are more complicated and sophisticated it gets. One thing we should not forget: Due to the facts humans can make choices and shape their lives based on these choices. These choices can make them more sacret than an angel or ,on the contrary, can make them less desirable creatures than animal. Thus human is the most advanced creature on the earth and space, and everything surrounds us made available to serve humans including animals. And no it is not ok, if one takes his/her dog for a walk and give all the best treats, while they dont even care about how their parents doing. Parents, those people who have the most rights over us, mothers in particular. Again as some of you mentioned, knowing how to live with a balance is the key which applies here as well. My personal opinion is the place for a dog is outside a house who guards properties or other domesticated animals and still love them, love them without placing near your bed, loving without kissing the germs, loving without placing on a table and treating them as humans. At the end of the they, they can be best friend, but they can never be a human although human can be an "animal".
August 21, 2010 by gabriella
well it kidda depends on how the people are if they are mean then i say the pets
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October 7, 2010 by chris
you will always find people to take care of people.you can not find people to take care of animals that is why there are so many dogs and cats running around so we have to put them down.we cant put humans down when they breed out of control thats called M.U.R.D.E.R or genniside.
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March 10, 2010 by Cynthia Withers
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March 12, 2010 by Sophie Ellis
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June 23, 2010 by tarra perea
I could not agree more, you took the words right out of my mouth.
June 23, 2010 by Tarra perea,
I ment to say that I agree with that woman Sophie with the long cooment.
May 16, 2010 by Louise
Wrong, wrong,wrong......I am suffering from breast cancer and have been since Jan. 09 and I will tell you out LOUD my dogs have been there for me more than any human.
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May 18, 2010 by death addar
What are you crazy, people are mean & cruel & are jail's & prison are full of psycho's there all around us people can't be trusted but pet's are alway's there unconditionally period & in regard's to people only being in your life for a short time there is millions of people who believe in reincarnation so what's your point, I have hundred's of friend's & they would take there best friend (there pet) over a human anyday as patrick swayze say's opinions vary, I have lived all over the world & seen first hand the pain & destruction people inflict on one another on a daily basis, yes I love my mother & father & friend's & sibling's but at the end of the day my pet's are the only one's that really seem to be there for me personally, & you can alway's buy another person it's called slavery & current event's verify it is still alive & well in today's culture illegal or not.
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July 18, 2010 by susan
I have a decorative pillow in my home that says it all: Love me, love my dog, or don't let the door hit you in the behind on your way out. I truly love my friends and family unconditionally----mostly because my dog taught me how to achieve that goal. How did he do that? He put love in my heart---everyday. Seems to me Dogs teach us alot and urge us to live in the moment, everyday. . They are majic. People----are not. I've only met two people in my long, long life that I knew for a fact loved me as much as my dog loves me. The other people I've known just faked it really well. If I was on a burning boat and I had to choose who to save-- a beloved human or my beloved dog----who knows. Depends on whether the humans can swim. Bottom line, most people are hard and cruel and untrustworthly, just like some dogs.. But fortunately, the dogs in my life have just been plain easy to love and easy to live with. They make a bad day better and a good day greater. . They are the best investment I've ever made on this earth both financially and emotionally. Love cats too.
August 29, 2010 by Kevin
Yes this is the fact "... people are mean & cruel & are jail's & prison are full of psycho's there all around us people can't be trusted" you are pointing a finger at. But, What have you done to change it? Condemning, commenting, complaining is not a solution at all. If these are the things you find wrong, then do something to change it the way you think it should.
June 16, 2010 by jk
how SAD to think there are people like you who feel that pets are just an OBJECT to have!!
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
bravo kt and tara!
June 23, 2010 by tarra
animals are not things you own, if a lamp breaks you can just get anouther one but people and animals can not be replaced.
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July 17, 2010 by Mar
Wow ! What a thing to say, you can get another pet any time, It shows that you never were a Guardian to any animal.
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
and let us pray never has a pet!
August 8, 2010 by Anntelope
That isn't true in the least. Neither people nor pets can be replaced. Every being is unique and the relationship you develop with them is also unique.
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March 10, 2010 by Elaine Wilson
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May 7, 2010 by sophia
unless they act worse than the family dog, which many of them do.... we, the humans try to humanize the animals, so it is certainly not the dogs(or other pet) fault...there is nothing more loyal and devoted, than my dog to me...some dogs are better than some humans, sorry, but it's true... pets are living,breathing,creatures, that have souls too...
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
and "being made in the image of God" does not out us abve the rest of His/Her creation To have dominuion over does not mean to rule and treat as we wish, it means to be the caretaker of the entire Web od All Life.
June 23, 2010 by tarra
loving an animal does not meen you worship them, people and animals should be treated equily as good as the other.They give us so much more then what we could ever give them and we owe them all respect and love.
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March 11, 2010 by Ai Zori
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June 21, 2010 by Sylvia
I just lost my dog (Lisie) today. It was so sudden. She was only 8 and seemed fine. We were at my son's house and all of a sudden she seemed like she was seizing and died. No clue, no notice, I'm devested, heartbroken and lonely and lost. My husband can't help me. He has his own way of dealing with things he's much better than I am. I don't know what to do with myself. tranquilizers don't even help my churnig stomach. Lisie was almost human to me. We spent every minute that I was home (which was most of the time ) together. I need help so badly. I'm just lying on places where she did. I almost collapsed at my son's house. I don't know what to do. It was supposed to be a nice father's Day and it turned out to be a nightmare that no one could have predicted. How could Lisie not come home with me? She's not here sitting next to me or on my lap as I'm on the computer. HELP SOMEONE PLESE. I'm drowning.
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July 18, 2010 by susan
Losing a beloved dog is one of the hardest ordeals I have ever endured on this earth. My best advice to you is to just GREIVE. In time, the pain will end. In time, you will begin to smile when you think of the dog, instead of crying over his death. Is it wrong to get another dog when you feel you are up to it? No. I'm sure that if something happened to you, you would be thrilled to know that another human helped bring joy to your furry friend. And I'm sure your dog feels the same. Just cry and keep crying until you find light at the end of the tunnel. Good Luck.
July 30, 2010 by Renate
My heart goes out to you Sylvia, I am so sorry you lost your beloved Lisie but believe me time will be on your side. I lost my dear little Cody a chihuahua about 2 years ago ,he was 15 and I finally can talk about him without crying.
August 8, 2010 by joyce
several options are open to help you. 1st know your grief is normal and and you are OK. next look to animal welfare groups and find out if they have a pet loss brievment program/groug in your are most do. Then I f that does not work contact your local hospice. I am a Hospice nurse and ALL Hospoices have on call a grief consuler or Chaplin that can start giving you immediate help and help you to find an animal specific gruop to guide you thru.Do not ever hesitate to call a Hospice we can help or get you to where you can find help and they will not laugh at you because it is a dog. Look into the ASPCA and the Humane society. What is happening to you is normamal human grief at the loss of a family member and there is help out there. When you are ready a new rescued pet can come into your life and she won't replace your loss but life and love will go on, don't try to adopt before you are ready. I wish you well and Blessed Be on your course thru this trauma. Joyce
June 21, 2010 by Karen
I agree. It doesn't have to be a either/or question. Both have places in my heart, both are creatures of God. Humans already have a bit too much in the entitlement and arrogance departments, anyway..
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March 11, 2010 by Cecily
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
love it!
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March 11, 2010 by John
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March 14, 2010 by laura Massey
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March 12, 2010 by carolyn Jackson
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March 12, 2010 by Donna B.
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August 11, 2010 by brandy
i think they should because some pets are not like that
March 14, 2010 by laura massey
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May 16, 2010 by Louise
Amen to that!
June 18, 2010 by cm
my dogs are a lot cleaner than some peoples children, especially when they come to the table . i would let mine eat off of the table if they could sit at the table. they may even have better manners than a lot of people have in resturants. if you have never loved an dog or a cat, then you have no room to make any comments on how we should love or not one. mine would protect myself or my husband to the end, but both are very friendly and lovable, especially with children. they are better mannered than some people, and they are as smart as you want them to be, you are thier teacher, they learn from their owners.
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
sorry not true, pet dogs and cats are much cleaner than your kids and the only thing we share between spicies is fleas and rabies. House pets are as safe in your kitchen as your kids are and much cleaner. And this is not just an opinion I am a registered nurse with experiance in infection control and a good deal of study in microbiology under my belt.
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August 20, 2010 by Renate
My GSD eats strawberry icecream with me - we use the same spoon. Never mind the kitchen - I sit in my chair in the living room, and he sits on the ottoman, and we each eat one spoon at a time. We're so close, we have probably shared all the germs there are anyway - I mean, we swim together, sleep together, walk and hike together, we do everything together. Why should he not share my icecream?
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January 18, 2011 by Teri
Pets are fine in the kitchen, and any other room in the house, as long as they stay off the counters or tabke. I always hate going to my mothers home because her cats are allowed on EVERY surface of the kitchen. Blegh!!!
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March 13, 2010 by judith correa
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April 21, 2010 by pat mowdy
Good for you!! You are a saint!
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June 16, 2010 by jk
A BIG STANDING OVATION TO YOU!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND HOPE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW YOUR COMPASSION!!!
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
Hey Ms Judith look into a spay neter release program near you, most are free and they will also give the cats rabies and some other shots. It is great for the cats to be able to live a bit safer in there own area and not overpoplulate the area. Start by contacting cat rescues in your area. If there is a fee maybe your niebohors would be willing to donate? And Blessed Be you good work.
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March 13, 2010 by Julianne garrison
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August 8, 2010 by joyce
Thanks I prefer animals over children and do not let them in my house because they bother my dogs. I love them all, but I made a full knowledgable adult decsion to bring my dogs in and I will care for them to the best of my ability. The Kids we go visit at their homes.
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March 13, 2010 by blayne 8
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May 8, 2010 by damourielle
Whats wrong with you!!!!!!!
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June 3, 2010 by alyssa
me to what is your name puppys are my favrite animals oh and snaks you do you like snaks
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June 27, 2010 by sarah
i don't like snaks do you like snaks texts back to me
March 13, 2010 by cameri massei
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April 23, 2010 by MARISSA
YOU ROCK
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June 27, 2010 by sarah
hi my dog had to go to the bathroom and he said i need to go to the bathroom and it was funnny he went
March 14, 2010 by Laura Massey
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July 16, 2010 by allie
I give that a high five
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