Unconditional Love?

Bare with my opinion here for a minute or two. 

I recently read an article titled "Thinking about getting a dog before having kids? Well don't." or something along those lines. It then went on about this lady who loved her dog but then once she had her kids she basically hated her dog because it was just another thing she had to worry about. She didn't even give it the proper treatment (let alone even remember what was wrong with the dog) when the vet called to tell her what the dog's issue is. The dog is 12 years old. 12 years old! I mean, some people aren't even lucky to get 10 years out of their dog, let alone almost to having a teenager and here she is just brushing it aside like it's a used toy no longer wanting to be played with (ooo shiny new babyyyy). And it makes me so mad that people just push their dogs to the side when things get ruff. (Haha..rough). You made a commitment when you made the decision to own an animal (regardless if it's a dog or what) to parent it, care for it, and love unconditionally, right? 

This also stems from my annoyance and heartbreak over seeing posts on these "garage sale" type of Facebook groups, where someone found out they are having a kid or just had one and have to "get rid" of their pet because they don't want to take the time and effort to take care of something that that previously committed too. But "getting rid" of their dog means paying $500 (AKA a profit) over getting rid of their "pet." hashtag are you for real ?

I have had my fair share of animals growing up, and was fortunate enough to have seen them live long, loving, and healthy lives (20, 18, and 17 years old before passing away), and I can't even have imagined what I would have done if we had to suddenly "get rid" of one of them. Just knowing that I would be responsible for them being uprooted out of their life, and put into someone else's home (or worse, shelter) that I just know won't love them or care for them enough like I do, kills me. Is there no compassion any more for other lives besides our own any more? 

Having a baby is a huge responsibility and I totally get that, or someone has allergy problems, or you have to move and someone doesn't allow animals. But if that were me, I think I would have done everything in my power to find a place that would work for both of us, and not just the benefit of the human. 

I've also seen plenty of cases where someone has a dog (or shocker, more than one pet), AND has a baby, and maybe even another baby on the way, and they STILL manage to take care of ALL of them in a loving and happy environment. So it still gives me hope that there are good pet owners out there in the world, even though we don't see or read about them as much. 

I also had read the article because I feel like it's the natural next step after Robert and I get married and before we have kids. My perfect future consists of having a dog and a cat being best buddies and growing up together, and then later on when offspring comes along, we all be one big happy family. And I've seen it happen in real life. And it will happen with me! 

So please please love your animals unconditionally, and really think before you make a decision as big as being a pet owner, because they have feelings also and I really don't want to have to move way out in the boonies and have a barn and own all of these people's rejected animals (though that IS a thought...hmm). 

End rant (thank you for listening).

Happy Friday!