Posted on Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 2:53 p.m.
Local residents go hungry while wealthy pamper their pets
By Letters to the Editor
I couldn't help but notice the irony of your cover articles on "Community Focus," dated Sun., Nov. 27, 2011.
On the one hand the food bank (SOS) is struggling to help the increased needy because of the state cutting assistance programs; directly adjacent is the article about the super-pampering of pets at BreedAbove.
What if the rich people could do less pet pampering and give money instead to the hungry people?
It's never too late to do the right thing.
Christin Fernandez
Ann Arbor
Comments
walker101
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Only in America.
engGEEK1988
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 : 2:44 a.m.
I work hard for my money and am free to spend it however I wish. Hmmmm.... Maybe if the hungry people would work hard for their money, they would not have to wait for the rich people to pay their way, and they would not be hungry anymore.
bedrog
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
A silly "zero-sum" argument that preposterously assumes pet owners ( who are responsible enough to actually care for their animals, unlike those whose abused cast-offs wind up at humane societies---if they're lucky!)) don't also contribute to human welfare . That said , I freely admit that i regard my 3 rescue cats as cuter and more loveable than alot of panhandlers i've seen around....and far more pleasant to snuggle with in our bed.. .
JMA2Y
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 5:59 a.m.
A pet grooming service might employ 2-4 or so people. Where would they be if no one brought in a pet to be groomed-they'd be unemployed. Plus, some pets need special grooming (long coats, tough nails, etc.) and not everyone likes or finds it easy trying to bathe a dog or especially, a cat. Pet grooming, while some of the pampering services might seem unnecessary, can be good for the pet and helpful to the owner.
nuseph
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 5:42 a.m.
Hey Christin, why are you wasting money on the Internet? You could donate that money to the poor.
Mitch
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 3:07 a.m.
are you at AA.com getting desperate to post junk like this. You really gave them a page for this??
Harm
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
To 'zip the cat', there will always be people receiving assistance who don't need it. But to 'not make donations of any kind', you are cutting off helping people who do need it, too. I bet there aren't many people who drive an SUV to get free coats. The more I think of it, the more I think you were never down and out, just too greedy to give....
pest
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
An article about a "business" that "employees" people so that they can "feed" themselves, irritates you. I'm not rich yet I spoil my pet rotten, as it's my right to do. I chose to have a dog and not to have a child. I take care of my dog as if it were a child, by making sure it's needs are met. BUT if I could not have afforded to have my dog, I would not have gotten one. Same goes with people who have kids - if they can't afford them, they should not have them. Responsibility.
babmay11
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 7:25 p.m.
Yep, I'm sure people's circumstances NEVER change and they never get laid off, sick etc. Everyone has perfect foresight as to what they can and cannot afford because they know everything that is going to happen in the future. And no one ever makes a mistake and gets pregnant or gets someone else pregnant accidentally. Just like I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to take your "beloved" dog to the pound if you couldn't afford it anymore either, right? It must be difficult to be so perfect in a world with so much imperfection.
snoopdog
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
@pest, Your post here is the best I have ever seen on A2.com and I mean that 100% ! There is not a single argument to be made with what you have said ! If I cannot provide for my own sustenance plus my offspring, I should not reproduce, period ! If I do, I risk not being able to provide for my children's well being. At some point in our lives, we must think beyond our own selfish wants/desires and realize how the decisions we make, might impact the innocent lives we bring into this world. Good Day
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:48 a.m.
Take the danged kids to the pound!
tim
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
I don't know anybody that doesn't at least a do a little frivolous spending, so I guess that makes us all responsible to feed the hungry. Although I'm not a member of the upper middle class I appreciate the fact that they do spend money because they create jobs for poor saps like me.
nowayjose
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:14 p.m.
I guess what other people do withe their money is none of your business. If you want to give to a food bank, do it and dot worry about what other people do with their money, it's theirs to do as they please.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
Yeah. Ignore the cheap b.....ds! lol
smokeblwr
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
I agree! Are there no prisons? Are the workhouses still in operation?
seldon
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
Seriously? You think it's zero sum? How do you know the people who use the pet-pampering service aren't also donating to help the hungry?
snoopdog
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
You make a lot of assumptions Christin and I don't agree with any of them. I don't have much to add because the posts above mine have basically torn you to shreds. I for one, am really getting tired of these short one or two paragraph opinion pieces A2.com allows ( or plants) that are more based on people's emotions than real facts . My guess is, they are simply designed to get a lot of comments and help A2.com get more advertising revenue. Good Day
Sparty
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
Then don't read them would be a reasonable response.
a2roots
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
This is a first, I agree with Snoop.
GirlNextDoor
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.
@dog: Yes, more clicks on articles, more $$'s for Booth.
Steve
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
Wow! A new spin on class warfare: Pet warfare. The writer approaches the story from the standpoint that those that take care of their pets don't also donate to homeless and hungry. My guess is nearly every single person that gives to Food Gatherers, etc. Also own a pet.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:44 a.m.
Not me. Allergies. I love animals. Have to get my inhaler just talking about them.
halflight
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
"What if the rich people could do less pet pampering and give money instead to the hungry people?" We elect politicians so that they will take our neighbor's money to feed the poor. That way, I don't have to feel guilty when I waste my own money on a psychic reading for my dog. <a href="http://www.lorriethepetpsychic.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.lorriethepetpsychic.com/</a>
Michael Christie
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
Thanks for the advice, but I think I'll spend my money how I want, when I want. I've also heard two stories of people sponsoring a family for Christmas that just don't seem right. In one case the parents said "I sure hope there's play station 3 games in there." and in the other when they delivered the gifts to the home of the 'people in need' the TV was 60" with all the video games you could imagine. A few bad apples always spoil the bunch.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
Not if you get the bad ones out of there and look at the good ones. When I hear these stories, being me, I first wonder if they are really true. Then I mutter something about idiots and jerks. Then I thank God for all the good people who don't do those things. If ten percent of the people I help live in a mansion, that's okay with me, so long as the other 90 percent are being helped.
RunsWithScissors
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
I believe you're assuming that those with money are not already helping out those in need. Perhaps they can afford to do both. I can and do. If you're suggesting that those with money must give proportionally more to those in need and in addition forgo any pet pampering then why stop there? Why not insist that everyone get $12 haircuts instead of going to high-end salons. Or purchase a generic vehicle instead of luxury car? Or eat sensible meals at home instead of dining out at nice restaurants? This is not an ideology in line with our democracy. Like it or not, it gives you and I the freedom to make our own choices on where to spend money. You have the freedom to be disgruntled by your observation. I have the freedom to disagree with you. Karol Butcher
zip the cat
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:38 p.m.
Lotsa jobs go begging I guess because people don't want to work. They have there hand out looking for the free ride If you want to find a job in the local area look on craigslist under the employment section,tons of jobs and good paying ones too. My dog lives in a heated dog house and gets all the purina dog food and ample helpings of biscuts she wants. My cat eats the best food I can buy and gets all the treats she can eat. 25 yrs ago I was on my last leg and down and out like lotsa others are today,did I look for the free ride Hell no I got off my lazy back side and made something out of my life. I stopped making donations of any kind when I saw the lady driving her big black navigater to meijers so her poor kids could get there new coats from warm the children
babmay11
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.
Great fabricated excuse to stop giving money to anyone in need. Bah, Humbug to you too!
Billy Bob Schwartz
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
" I got off my lazy back side and made something out of my life" ------------ Unlike you, many people don't have a lazy back side. Glad you managed to tame yours. BTW, how's Bob Cratchitt doing these days?
Sparty
Sun, Dec 11, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
What jobs? Are you saying the millions of unemployed are just lazy? Or just prefer not working?
Blazingly Busy
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 11:26 p.m.
I am feeling so fortunate to live in a world with such a kind hearted person
Ron Granger
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
"I stopped making donations of any kind when I saw the lady driving her big black navigater to meijers so her poor kids could get there new coats from warm the children" REALLY? What makes you so certain they were her kids? Have you considered that she was driving her neighbor's kids to help them? And just because you may have seen one example of what you thought was abuse, you assume nobody else is suffering or in need. Interesting.
justcurious
Sat, Dec 10, 2011 : 8:07 p.m.
I agree, we have 3 dogs and 2 cats (4 were rescues). They get along fine without any outside pet pampering. Baths and nail clipping can be done at home. All of my pets have thrived on Purina products for the last 35 years too. They get regular vet care, no fancy supplements. They have their own couch in the living room, numerous beds throughout the house to flop on, and 2/3 of a fenced acre to romp in. What more could a pet ask for?