I'm just reading this link for the first time and I am feeling very conflicted. I never thought of myself as 'owning' pets for self-gratification (though I cannot deny, right or wrong, that I love these companions like family (slaves of my affection) and cannot imagine life without) - instead, in these past few years, I have thought of it as 'saving' lives from misery and depression and, hypocritically, 'ownership' - the root cause of this all. Unfortunately, the world has not gotten to the place 'we' would like it to be. I dare say that it likely will not. Of course any use, need, want we get and need out of animals is self-serving. That's a given (to us anyway). However, until this isn't the case (the pendulum swinging back as put in another message), I cannot not be involved. I cannot say that I will never take another cat/dog into my home. I would rather be guilty of being a part of the vicious cycle if it means the difference between a life of misery, neglect or death for an animal or life with me (I only adopt because they will die emotionally or literally). I hope my message does not belittle anything put forth by Dr. Danten, Judy Stone and others, as I wholeheartedly agree with what has been said; however, I feel that I would be turning my back to animals in distress.

These thoughts are all-consuming and I think of this e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y, and it's not a good place to be. Emotionally exhausting, as I'm sure many can attest to.

Thank you to those that care and do something about it (action, talking, writing, advocating).

Shiloh