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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Cat and Dog (09/04/14)
Cat and dogs are both wonderful pets. I believe God put them on this earth to serve a purpose. I believe they give us comfort and love sometimes, when we are having trouble finding it elsewhere. Maybe that is why some owners hang onto their pets too long or think more highly of them than they ought.

I have had the privilege of reaching out to many poor people. I am involved with distribution of food at our local food pantry. Although we help reduce the grocery bill for these people, there is no way we can provide all the food they need for their families. I know some of these families are really struggling to make ends meet. They cannot pay their bills, they cannot afford fuel to heat their homes, and they cannot afford the gas in their vehicles to get to work. Yet these same families have one or more cats or dogs.

I say dump the pets and feed the kids. Find a good home where you can go visit them or something. When taking care of an animal takes a big percent of the household income, and there is not enough left to properly feed and clothe the children, we need to examine our priorities.

I grew up on a farm and we had a dog and a bunch of cats. Many of the cats would hunt mice, birds, and gofers to feed themselves. We just provided plenty of milk from the cows and scraps from the table. In the cities, it is not that easy to care for animals. You need to buy most or all of their food. You need to pay for shots at the vet and get them spaded or neutered. Then there are licenses to purchase, flea collars, chains or leases, not to mention all the cat litter, cages, toys, and chew bones to purchase.

Can a person really justify spending all that money on an animal when the kids go hungry? I wonder what the Lord thinks. Never once in the Bible did I hear Him say to save the animals. Yet He said he who gives even a cup of water to a little child shall be rewarded Matt. 10:42.

I know this might sound harsh. I don’t mean to hurt anyone who enjoys the love of a pet. I believe God gives us pets to enjoy, just as he gives us cars, computers, toys, plants and anything else for our enjoyment. Yet, just as we may have to wait to enjoy a computer or toy, we may have to wait until we have enough income to care for a pet, beyond what we need to feed our families.

One other thing to consider; are we expecting our pets to give us love that only God can give? As I mentioned earlier, people hang onto their pets believing they give them more love than they can find anywhere else. A pet cannot be a substitute for the love of God or other people.

The ideal is to give our lives to God, get our fulfillment in love from Him, then pass that love on to the other people in our lives. Then we can have a pet to enhance our enjoyment hear on earth, asking God to provide the needed funds to care for this animal.
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This article has been read 841 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
09/12/14
Fine writing and on topic.
Well done.

God bless~
Rachel Barrett
09/13/14
A very interesting take on the topic.

I thought the part about making sure priorities are in line was well said.

Here's a thought--not a criticism, just some ponderings that were provoked as I read. It seems that the definition of "properly fed and clothed" might be different in different situations.

I'm not trying to come across as wanting to debate or anything. I just thought I would share what came to my mind.

I have a different perspective on whether pets and/or animals are in the same category as cars, computers, or toys. Definitely, we can and do enjoy them, but they are living beings and when we keep them, we have a responsibility to care for them. I believe it's reciprocal. A computer can just sit there until I want to enjoy it. But my cat, goats, horses, and chickens (albeit most of whom are working farm animals that earn their keep), need to be fed, sheltered, kept healthy, and loved in return.

It's different for me than for a lot of other people, I know. God has given me these animals as my stewardship and calling right now. "A righteous man regards the life of his beast." I can't do any less than that and properly discharge my stewardship, you know?

Again, not trying to debate. I hate debating. Other people have a much less touchy-feely warm fuzzy view on animals, and that's okay. But I do enjoy reading things like your piece that stimulate thought and consideration. I just thought I would share a little of what came to mind.

:)
Joe Moreland
09/15/14
This is a well written piece that brings your point across very well and it's on topic, so I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be just as likely to do well as any other entry this week.

I can see from your brick that you think this might not be a popular stance, but I get where you're coming from. I have been in a similar position, thinking similar thoughts - only it wasn't over pets.

I knew a family that was struggling mightily once financially. Paying rent, buying groceries and keeping the utilities on were almost impossible on a monthly basis. Something was always in danger of being cut off and it seemed eviction was a monthly hazard for them.

But, the husband and the wife both smoked two packs of cigarettes per day. Here in Texas that's more than $20 per day, over $600 per month! Yes, I did the math frequently. I helped them each month, but deep down inside I resented their wastefulness.

Finally God pressed on me that I was not responsible for their actions. I was only responsible for doing what he called me to do, and once I let go of that burden, I found I was actually able to feel the blessing of what God was calling me to do.

I actually was able to get to know and understand them better once I stopped judging their actions and came to care for them deeply.

I am not saying that something similar is happening with you, I am just trying to share my own personal struggle with something I feel is similar.

God Bless!
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
09/16/14
Worthy of consideration. We already have folks begging for our cat and dog if and when the time should come . . .
Lindsey Ruby 
09/16/14
I can see why you would think it wouldn't be popular. Our culture seems to make pets "part of the family" literally. And though that in itself is not awful, we tend to think and equate them as human entities sometimes. I also get where this piece is coming from.

I wonder if GOD gives each of us a burden, something to care about? Some hearts are burdened by the children who have nothing (hopefully the most of us!). Others are burdened for critters who have nothing. We all work together and get the job done!

Good article, in my humble opinion.
Larry Whittington
09/18/14
Working at a food bank does give us (you and I) a different perspective on animals and who should have them.

People who are cruel to animals should not be able to have them and also people who cannot afford both pet food and family food.

You are not being cruel. It is just the truth. Well expressed feelings and well written.
C D Swanson 
09/18/14
Congratuluations!
God bless~