Absurd and Askew

The latest design at 4 Crazy Dogs is titled "Pets Not Possessions" and features an illustrated difference between "Possessions (disposable)", such as a car, jewelry, your house...and "Family Members (not disposable)", such as your dog or cat. It is accompanied by the words "know the difference".

Too often, pets are considered disposable possessions by their owners, who find no problem in getting rid of the pet when it becomes too "inconvenient" for them. They are surrendered to shelters or rescues or given away or sold to new owners. This behavior dramatically impacts the pet overpopulation problem.

Pets come into our lives as members of our families--with feelings, love, devotion, and the same ability to feel abandonment as humans. When they are brought into our homes with the attitude that they are simply material possessions--something we want "for now"--the commitment required to take on the full responsibility for that life is lessened. When we look at the adoption, or even purchase, of a pet as a lifetime commitment, it is only then that we realize that it's a family member we're bringing into our lives and not simply another car. The car doesn't hurt when you get rid of it; dogs and cats grieve, and are emotionally impacted by the loss of the family they had come to know and love. They don't understand and you can't explain it to them. You're just happy that they've become someone else's problem.

If you're considering getting rid of your pet, keep in mind that you might be a wonderful person, but what you're doing to that innocent animal is horrible. Your pet knows pain, grief and heartache as much as you do. Are you going to deliberately put him/her through that?

Keywords: dog cat shelter adoption family commitment t-shirt design