I've always believe that if you have a pet taking the best care of it is the number one priority. I know years ago pets were allowed to roam free, you hardly put a collar on either a cat or dog. You let it out in the morning and it would come and go as the day wore on. Now days dogs have to be leashed and licensed given shots for safety of the animal and people. I feel if you going to let your cat be a free roamer that the last two should also apply, and possible leashing them instead of allowing them to roam. My m-i-l and I always disagreed on this. Her famous answer was "cats weren't born witha collar and leash" and mine was "neither are dogs". Keeping your pet close and safe show (to me anyway) just how much you love them. Whenever I see a animal laying along side the road it reinforces my opinion. There are exceptions of course, like farm cats.
Now what brought this on you wonder. Well yesterday I had two people knock at my door asking if I had seen their cat. It was a roamer and always going in and out of peoples garages and sheds. They haven't seen it since Saturday and say it needs medication. Now whether you agree with my previous thoughts you would think at the very least a animal on medication would be kept at home. Well we've checked our garage two times for them and no cat. I fear the worse for the cat.
Now you know that there is a cat around here that Jodi's grandkids say is theirs and they call it CeCe. In reality it is a cat that really belongs to no one that we know of. It bothers me that they allow the cat so close to the kids but I have no control. Just can observe and hope for the best. So far, so good.
I hope this post didn't upset anyone. I don't want that and each is entitled to their own feelings. It is just my thoughts and I certainly don't think any less of how people handle their pets. I guess it's just that wondering about that poor cat won't get off my mine.
I agree with you. We used to always have a cat...always...and my hubby agreed with your M-I-L. I can't tell you how many disppeared, and now, knowing what I do about hawks and owls, I would be willing to bet that is where a lot of them went. We never saw them dead on the street....or maybe even coyotes. There were a lot of them back then around here. Cats don't like to be tied down. They are happy roaming free...and it helps with the smell in the house...no more litter box because once they are a roamer, they won't use a litter box...they insist on going outside. But once they are turned loose and they have their freedom, they usually disappear. I did have one very smart cat that lived to be 13, and her daughter lived to be 12. I did keep them vaccinated so they wouldn't end up with rabies, because a cat WILL bite if afraid.
ReplyDeleteDogs are an entirely different story. They aren't capable of getting themselves out of trouble as well as cats. They are too friendly, which makes them vulnerable to an entirely different species...man....who would take them and sell them or call the pound. Never let them roam. Never. A cat can harldy be caught by anyone or anything, but dogs will sit and let you get them if they aren't afraid of people.
Pets do seem to be a bigger responsibility these days than ever before. I've been attacked on my walk by dogs on and off the leash and it makes me wonder if people have any idea that it's not just their right to own a pet but to be responsible with that freedom for the animal's sake and other people. We've had cats too and they were always "outdoor cats" but this is in part because we lived on the edge of town. Now we have no pet except a tiger salamander and he doesn't require a leash ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100 percent. I love animals and have had 1 dog and 4 cats in 50+ years of marriage. For their won safety - neither cat nor dog should be roaming free. There are too many "sick" people in this world that do horrible things to animals if they don't want them in their yard. it also isn't fair for neighbors to have to clean up after your pet (cats in sand boxes - dog do do in the yard). If you have a dog, there are a few dog parks in every community where your dog can run free while you stand around and talk with other dog owners. If you have a cat - they do NOT have to fun free to be well adjusted. There is also a big risk of either cat or dog eating anti freeze from someone's garage, getting into other poisons, etc. Good for you for bringing this subject up. And, no one should get mad at you for having your own opinion on the subject.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I agree with everything you said!
ReplyDeleteI do NOT agree on anyone ever letting their cats out. They are vulnerable..too many horribly cruel cat hating people about and even injuries to the cat via cars! We learned the hard way with the death of Hopping John by a car. No one has been out since and there is no use in it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about DWTS. That man you said (cant remember his name) and Wynonna too. Also the former iceskater..Hamilton is it?
Dorothy Hammil. I'm not surprised she left. Surprised she ever went on with her physical problems. That man you mentioned..please GO. And Wynonna too. I was amazed she was saved,
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