Yes! Any dog that's left outside. Cats that are let out without a leash, animals put in clothing. I could go on and on. It's not a dogs life after all. Well it's a dogs life for Schultz, spoiled rotten lol

I do. But I also feel good when I see a special bond between pet and owner- a senior brushing a beloved old dog, a youngster carefully playing with his buddy, a cat or two taking up the chair space and the owner scooting over so they can stretch out, and so on. I think the abuse stories are sad, but for every one of those I think there is also a story about a special relationship between a pet and their human.

Yes. But, I took it to mean MY pet. My dog is so spoiled rotten and but.....still not good enough. He's not often alone, either I or DH is here, he goes on miles long walks twice, sometimes three times a day, he get to go on all the furniture and sleeps on a sofa or bed of his choice at night.

And, he gets to sample everything we eat! Did I leave anything out?

Yet...after all of this he still feels he should leave and go with us, every time we walk out of the door.

But getting back to your question. Not all owners are stellar. But as long as the dog is cared for than I'm good. Hate seeing dogs tied up outside in all kinds of weather.

I feel sorry for pets that are neglected, abused and abandoned. It's awful that so many have found themselves in these situations.

I'm very happy for those who are loved, pampered and spoiled like those that belong to the people here.

Absolutely! Every day when I read on nextdoor all the animals roaming the streets and pets whose owners have decided they can no longer be bothered and either dump them or post needing to rehome them.

Some very short haired small dogs need coverage, clothing, to protect them from cold and from sunburn. I rarely put clothes on Mia but in winter, right now, she is shivering in the house. We are comfortable but she is cold. She is either in her heated bed or under a blanket on our laps but sometimes she needs clothes. I just bought her a new fleece warm all weather coat. She loves it. It is like a personal blanket. Much like my sweater or sweatshirt.

Of course I do. All my adult life, I have taken in neglected animals. I especially hate when people move to the country and get a couple of acres and think that is enough for horses and have no idea how much money it takes to feed them. The other thing I especially hate are dogs on chains. And I hate people who when their pet gets old, they take it to the shelter and get a new young one. And most of all I hate people who do not teach their children kindness to animals and the responsibility of owning them.

Ok, I meant feel sorry for 'pets'. People who abuse animals, don't have them as pets. Same as keeping them chained outside....that's not a pet. BTW, in my books, any animal abuser should be put in a cage and used for medical testing, in place of animals. Put acid in their eyes, instead of a dog or a rabbit's. I'm dead serious.

But when a pet is stuck in a house with a chronic smoker, I feel sorry for them. They can't get away from it. We have laws where adults aren't allowed to smoke in a car with kids under the age of 16......why not include dogs too? They're subject to second-hand smoke.

Dogs chained outside usually start off as pets....a cute puppy. But due to lack of interest and lack of training, they end up on a chain.

Jas, I second your idea of a good punishment for abusers of any kind but especially the most vulnerable, children and animals. I often feel sorry for animals. I understand that most people want to do right by their pets but often times they’re too busy to properly train them or give them the attention they need. I really feel terribly for dogs who’s owners wanted their breed because it was “so cute” but didn’t consider how compatible that breed was with their lifestyle. Remember when 101 Dalmations came out? Spotted puppies were in high demand but when the puppies grew up, a lot of them ended up in foster care looking for new homes.

At the risk of being thought of as a wackadoo I'm going to try to explain this strange pity I have for pets. As a matter of fact we were talking about this at the dinner table on Thanksgiving and again I couldn't find anyone who shared this strange pity I have. Also everyone says I'm attributing human emotions onto animals which is stupid because all they care about is food, shelter and kindness. Here it is: when the pet is just a baby it's wrenched away from it's family kind by a different species and taken away. It's tied or caged or in some way kept confined to that species. It's made totally dependent on the species for everything and is expected to learn the rules, language and expected behavior approved by that species. The pet can only be with it's own kind if the owner allows it to. I guess I give animals too much credit for personal consciousness, but it really bugs me. But I still have a pet (dog) and I still treat it like every other pet owner does, I just can't dwell on it since it bugs me.

ritaweeda, I get where you are coming from. I don't think of this with cats and dogs because they are domesticated and just do depend on people to take care of them. What I feel sorry for are wild animals such as and especially BIRDS! I can't stand to see a bird in a cage...makes me so sad!

jasdip, this has bothered me too! I've also thought that what about all the fragrances that people use and dogs and cats have such heightened sense of smell! It must be horrible to them smelling all those smells and washing their beds in all that stinky fragranced laundry detergents and fabric softener sheets.

The same kind of people jasdip has described (the clueless ones or others who for whatever reason shouldn't have any responsibilities at all for other living things) may also have children. I feel as sorry for them too. They, like pets, can't choose the people they have to rely on. They're stuck too and in the case of kids, the negative effect on society of inept parents is even greater.

I feel a little sorry for pets who are forced to be people's surrogate human family and not allowed to be the whatever animals they are. I feel much sadder for children who are not fed, housed, loved and 'spoiled' by families because...that's so much *harder*.

I feel terrible when I see dogs going for a walk on hot asphalt!

I know, Natesg. People don't think about how hot black asphalt gets in the summer. If it's hot, I'll carry my dog across the street or however far it needs to be.

Sorry for the dog with the smoker, but he doesn't realize it. I grew up myself with smokers, in the house, in the car. Yet my parents, like the dog's owner, were loving and attentive. Relatively speaking, I don't think this is the worst situation for a pet.

It's neglected animals, lonely all day every day, no stimulation, never play with other dogs, never leave the back yard, need medical care, obese or too thin, junk dog food, or homeless....those are the pets I feel for. I also feel sorry for high energy dogs like huskies or herding dogs who only get a walk around the block. Many times it's working people who really don't have time to give enough attention to a pet.

I used to screen people for adoptioning dogs at a private rescue organization. The percentage of pets that live their whole life with one family is very disappointing. Folks under estimate what it takes to have a pet with good manners. Another issue is housing, most rentals refuse to allow pets. I feel very sad for pets that end up looking for a new family because landlords will not consider them. I have 4 rentals and meet the pets with their owners. Have never had a problem in 20 years , pets that are nicely trained and taken care of are my first choice.

We lost our yellow lab in July at 13 1/2. The last of 7 rescues in 50 years. As much as we would love to have another dog. We will not, because at 76 there is a good chance we will not outlive a pet. Our pets live a great life with us and I know their life would never be duplicated in another family.

We contribute to rescue groups monthly to aid pets in finding new families.

Arkansas_Girl, YES!. Don't even get me started with the stench of the chemical air fresheners, fabric softeners etc. My neighbour burns incense all the time, and she's always complaining that her cats have runny eyes, allergies, etc. She's always amazed that our 2 never get sick or have any problems. I told her to stop burning that sh*t, cats are super-sensitive to smells. The smell permeates *everything*. She often tries to give me some food that she's cooked, in plastic containers and the containers stink.

This morning I was shared a topic about people turning in older animals at this time of the year because they want to have a puppy. Not nice and I hate people like that.

Like marcopolo we decided not to get another dog after we lost our last one for the exact same reason. We were waiting for, our we thought elderly in mid teen, two cats to pass away and we were going to turn away from any more. Did not happen. I still worry about what will happen to them if I die first but at least they are not on the streets any more.

I do wonder about "quality of life" for dogs. Years ago, suburban dogs were pretty much free to come and go, roam their neighborhood. Downside: excess puppies, and quite often dogs hit by cars so early deaths. Upside: freedom. Sweet freedom. So which life is (was) better? Would a dog wish for a long life, or a free life? Probably, like people, their answers would vary.

We rescued two of our current four kitties as feral babies. I even had to bottle feed one of them. I think they probably think we are their real parents. Another showed up in our backyard at around the age of 4 months. The last we adopted off craigslist. They have full run of the house, get treats on demand, and have every toy there is. They take turns sleeping with us, and snuggle with us during the day. Someone is always home with them....my elderly mom lives with is and she very rarely leaves the house. So, basically, we saved the lives of three of them, they would be long dead by now, if left alone. The fourth could not wish for a more comfortable prison. The don't go out, except on the screened porch.

I feel sorry for the dog next door. My neighbor is great and has rescues, and all are well-cared for. However, she is mid-eighties and just got a new, very young dog (10 - 12 months old). All the others are older. This dog has so much energy! She is not able to provide the stimulation and exercise the dog needs. We started bringing her over daily to run like crazy, play fetch, and just get generally worn-out. I know the dog is loved, well-fed, groomed, and taken to the vet, but darn if DH and I don't just feel sorry for her.

For people who might want a pet but don’t have one due to their age, think about fostering! Sometimes having a foster home take a cat or dog is the difference between life and death for that pet. Rescue organizations would be lucky to have you, and you might appreciate having a furry friend around from time to time.

Fostering is great but it will depend on the group that you are fostering for. Some are very, very rigid with requirements and very few will ever meet those demands. Others are actually human and want what is best for the animal including snuggle time and love. If you do not find one that you are comfortable with get an older pet or at least one an older human has had to let go. You will have to ask for one as most shelters seldom show them to adoptees.

Yes. People in my development walk there dogs ON BLACKTOP in 110 degree heat. This one lady has a poor BLACK lab that never gets a break form heat. I get it if you want to walk your dog during the day, but at least walk your dog on the sidewalk where it isn’t scorching there paws as bad. It’s still bad, but not AS bad.

I worked for veterinarians who refused to euthanize healthy dogs or cats for any reason. I recall one visit where the family came in to euthanize a 7 year old dog because, they said, he had tried to bite someone. In the waiting room, I talked with the pre-teen family members about their sadness over losing their friend. The children told me the dog had not threatened anyone, they all just wanted a new puppy. I pulled the vet out of the room and told him the story. He went back, asked the adults to sign a document releasing the dog to him, took the dog out of the room, and then told them not to bring their new puppy back to him as he wasn't interested in their business. He was my hero.

Yes I do feel sorry for pets. That is why my husband and I foster. We have three that we adopted from being foster parents. We could not help it when we first started fostering. They are 10, 8, and 6 now. We would like to have more but this is all we can afford. Our home is open to fostering though as the main vets in our community take care of all medical issues that may arise after they have been in vet care for about two weeks. They spay or neuter all animals before they are adopted, microchip, worm and all shots are done. We just love them and provide care and safety for them. Oops, and food which a starved animal never gets enough but we must comply to the veterinarian's instructions. They do get treats during the day, Veterinarian approved also walked. We have been retired for 11 years now so that helps in being a foster parent. We do not have the money to travel so this passes the time for us and we are blessed with lots of licks and kisses.

I feel sorry for one little dog in particular. This is a very loved and well cared for Yorkie that belongs to a relative. It has never in it's 3 years been allowed to run free or even be walked on a leash in the grass or anywhere outside. It is carried everywhere when not confined to the house. Uses pee pads indoors.

In this instance...yes! I was asked by a neighbor if I had any pets. I said, "yes. A cat". She said, "well I've got one.....YOU can have mine." Aaaaaawww.......an un-loved pet. Pets should be WELL LOVED...not just kept alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In another discussion she said, "your cat must be dehydrated." I scoffed and said, "My cat!? He has his OWN water fountain." She said.....he's spoiled. So if he's not suffering he's spoiled? What!

I feel sorry for dogs that have to stay in a crate all day while their humans work.

Another one: My husband was working on a house and they looked in the crawl space. Eyes in the dark staring back at him. Two cages, two dogs, so small, butt to head small. Silent, well behaved, owners at work....locked in the dark. aaaawwwwww.....

DH saw a lady let her German Shepherd dog out of it's CRATE, in the back of her car, on her lunch break. He said it's muscles had atrophed, it could only crawl, not stand up. (I went back the next day....couldn't find it) Edited to say: The GSD lives in her car. She let him out for a potty break, then put him back in the crate, he didn't want to go, she started shouting at him.

My DH asked me "and WHAT were U going to do if U HAD found him." IDK......I just don't want a BIG dog,not able to stand up in the tiny crate, in a hot car ALL day.

There was a German Shepherd dog found over here that was found lying on some old abandoned couch. He was so emaciated that he almost died. It is one month later, after he was rescued, he has doubled his weight! They have spent thousands on bringing this dog back from near death. People are so cruel. In the back of mind, when I read your post, nicole, I thought "what if that's the same dog?" I bet this is probably what happened to him, someone dumped him. He's a full blooded GS dog!

Dragonflywings, what horrible people!! Your boss is awesome, so nice to read how he told them off.

We thought about fostering a couple of years ago, but the application was too detailed. We wouldn't have passed anyway. They wanted records of our indoor cats being up-to-date on all they're shots. We don't give them annual immunizations. They've never been around other animals, nor do they go outside, except on the balcony.

I feel sorry for dogs who can’t stop and sniff on their walks. When I first got my Doberman, I told my dog trainer that it was important the dog enjoy his walk too so I wanted him to train the dog to heal and be able to sniff. When he pulled out the shock collar as his first training tool, we said “bye bye no way”.

My next trainer was an actual Doberman breeder and his method allowed heel and free commands so my dog could sniff to his hearts content. We literally walk 1 1/2 miles per hour but he loves his walks.

I saw a man walking his Rottie one time with a choke collar. The poor dog just turned his head slightly

to look at something and he got yanked back into heel. If only the guy could experience that for himself.

I also hate crates as well. My dogs have free run of the house but they pretty much sleep when I am gone. I am headed back to work in January so hoping the good behavior continues.

I also hate crates as well.

I think crates can be a blessing. Many people report that it is easier to house train a dog with a crate. The #1 reason dogs are brought to shelters is for soiling the house so for the dogs who house train easy with crates, the crates actually may have saved their life. Also, many people say that their dogs love their crates as a 'safe' place, and leave the crate doors open so that any time the dog wants some alone time he/she can go to their crate.

Crates are definitely a boon to puppies who might otherwise chew cords and stuff and harm themselves.

Yes, some owners do abuse crating, but some use the crates judiciously and the dog is happier because of their use.

We have mostly hardwood floors and tile, and other than bathroom and kitchen mats, only one smallish area rug. Our dog has both a crate and a dog bed. The door to her crate is always left open, day and night, so she can rest wherever she likes. The crate has a memory foam pillow and the dog bed has a thick soft filling, so Sophie has a comfy place to lie, whichever she chooses. She hates the feeling of leather and does not come onto our leather furniture, which is fine with us, as she's rather large.

I'd say she decides on crate or dog bed, depending on what we're doing. If our young grandsons are over, she'll sometimes wander into her crate, just to get a break from the extra noise and activity, I'd presume. But if anyone is eating, of course she prefers hanging around, or lying in her dog bed, so she's easily seen and at the ready, if someone decides to offer her a dog treat, lol.

I feel sorry for dogs who are 'locked' in their crates, unless they are destructive outside the crate, when alone in the house, or for temporary periods that might be needed to keep them safe from harm.

cleo07, if I let my dog sniff to her heart's content, we wouldn't even leave the yard! HAHA! I get where you are coming from, but it's important to me that we both get some exercise out of our 3 mile walk. She does stop and sniff a lot though.

OH and BTW, my dog LOVES her crate! It's her favorite spot in the house.

I guess I am not against crates as much as dogs being locked in them all day. My dog has an enclosed area under my kitchen island that she loves-I guess it is her den In the land of good smells. If I got a crate and left the door open...she would love it.

Generally speaking, if a dog is correctly crate trained, they will love their crates regardless if the door is closed or not. When we got our dog, we got her from a rescue that highly encouraged crate training. She was already fully crate trained and already loved her crate when we got her. This rescue does an amazing job with the dogs they rescue and the foster home really did a great job getting her ready for an adoptive home!

If crates are shown to be a happy place for them and not as punishment, they'll gladly use it.

We have the cat carrier out all the time, it's in the corner of the livingroom. Someone is almost always in it. I have a towel in it for their comfort. Oh, I just saw Roxie come across the floor and into it.

When someone needs to go to the vet, I'll put it in the kitchen with the door open, and by the time I find Bud to put in I usually have to take Roxie out (or vice-versa) :-)

Most people I know treat their animals better than most human beings. I have a friend who's daughter once said, "When I die, if I'm reincarnated, I want to come back as either your dog, or Mrs. T.'s (me) dog. LOL When I see a story about an abused animal, I never think of them as someones "pet". I think of them as abused animals............and yes, it breaks my heart.

I do feel sorry for abused pets. That's why I only accepted pets for our family on the condition that they be indoor pets and treated as members of the family.

I don't like it when pets are locked up in crates all day or left outside. Like others have said.a crate used properly is to the pet's benefit. My dog loves his. It's his safe place. He sleeps in it at night with the door closed and locked because that is what he wants. He lets us know if we don't shut his crate properly.

adella, funny you should say that because just last night my dog let me know she did not want her door opened for sleeping. She was in there and her blanket was hanging out the door in a way that I couldn't close the door so I just left it opened and went to bed. Not long afterwards, she was looking at me and making this "huuuuuummmmmm" sound. So I had to get up and close the door for her....HAHA! They are so funny!