Warning: Animal cruelty will be mentioned in this thread. I know this thread is going to upset some people - but I implore you to really, really read it and understand it as it is meant.
Most of the people on Pet Talk were raised by good people who taught them to respect and value animals for the living, feeling, thinking beings that they are.
Unfortunately - Pet Talkers are a rare breed of people. I'm not sure, but I think that most people do not value animals in the same way as the people on Pet Talk. Most of us did not have that sort of upbringing, and we have had to come to our new understanding of animals on our own or through communication with others who already understand animals - you.
The rest of us count on you to guide us and help us in our quest to develop good relationships with animals. If you truly love animals, then you will take this duty seriously because then we will pass your love of animals down to our children and they will pass it down to theirs, and millions of animals will eventually benefit from your kindness.
In order for you to teach the rest of us, you must understand us and know why we do the things we do, and feel the things we feel, and why we sometimes don't understand the things which are so obvious to you!
So - I will use examples of my upbringing to hopefully help you to understand. Fortunately, most people aren't as terrible as my father was. However many, many of the things he did are actually very common and some of his attitudes are prevalent.
When I was growing up there were a few rules regarding animals.
Rule #1:
Nothing with fur is allowed in the house. Ever. Things with fur are filthy and carry diseases and do not ever belong in the house with humans.
Rule #2:
Any animal who destroys or damages anything belonging to anybody in this family must be destroyed.
Rule #3:
You must know that animals are objects and do not have feelings. They do not think. Any actions which you observe which give the impression of thoughts or feelings are purely instinctual. Animals do not feel physical or emotional pain. You must never form an emotional attachment to them.
Those three rules may seem extreme to you - but I can't count the number of people I know who believe those things!
Now - you might say "OK - even if your parents told you those things, you should know well enough not to believe them! You have a mind of your own! You should stand up to your parents. You shouldn't let them do things to hurt animals."
This is why I feel it's necessary to mention animal cruelty. My father ingrained those rules into our brains by forcing us to watch animal abuse with our eyes wide open. He didn't stop until each of us was able to watch it without flinching or crying or having nightmares or becoming upset in any way. He stripped us of our feelings for animals.
To enforce rule #1, he threw all animals out of the house. Through the attic fan while it was running, if they would fit. We were chastised if we cried, and reminded that those things wouldn't happen if we didn't bring the animals inside in the first place, to contaminate our home.
Many parents don't go to this extreme measure - but they do throw the animals outside and the children have to lay in bed listening to the poor things whine and cry outside in the cold.
After a while - you stop bringing the animals in. You want to believe your parents are good people - that's the nature of children! So you believe that they're just doing what they have to do to teach you a necessary lesson. If you're smart, you stop adopting strays altogether. Unfortunately most kids aren't that smart.
To enforce rule #2, he shot our Malamute (who had bitten my brother) in the chest and made us watch her die. We couldn't pet her or comfort her. We couldn't come inside the house until she was dead. It took several hours. Our ages: 12, 10, 7, 5, and 3. He also made us watch while he shot several other dogs and cats.
Other parents might not be so obvious about it. They "give the animals away to a rich family" or let them "run away" or "get lost". It's just as cruel to the animals, though less traumatic for the children. There's nothing the children can do to prevent this. It's not the children's fault! If your parents were doing these things, wouldn't you want to believe them? It sure would be easier than knowing the truth.
To enforce rule #3, he made us keep all animals outdoors without any sort of shelter. If we fed them, we were only allowed to feed them leftovers which were unfit for human consumption. They were not allowed to receive vet care. If our mother spent money on stupid things, the checkbook was taken away. Then she couldn't even go to the grocery store. So - the animals were not vaccinated and if they became ill they were shot. Why should we worry about it anyway? They couldn't feel. Diseases didn't hurt them.
Children can't do anything about their parents' financial situations or their beliefs about the necessity of caring for animals. Unfortunately, those beliefs are often passed on.
What do you think happens when these children grow up and have children of their own? They have been brainwashed. They're not cruel people. Maybe they work at soup kitchens or adopt foster children or help their elderly neighbors. They may go out of their way to help people, because people have thoughts and feelings. But to them animals are just possessions. Disposable. Like the chair in the dining room.
Is it their fault that they are that way? You would be that way too if you were forced to witness the abuse of animals year after year.
Please - when somebody comes on this board for advice about animals, commend them for coming! Teach them to value and respect animals! Don't be angry at them for not knowing. Don't assume that anything is common knowledge.
If a person happens to pay good money for a mixed breed puppy, give them the advice they need about spaying/neutering, and good animal care. Let them know in a nice way that backyard breeders are being cruel to animals. Don't berate them for being stupid enough to buy the puppy to begin with!
If somebody's parents bring home another puppy after disposing of countless other puppies - talk to that person nicely! See if she knows what's wrong with doing that. She probably does but is unable to control her parents. She probably wants to do everything she can to make that puppy's life as good as possible and to train that puppy to be good so that her parents won't get rid of it. At least she's strong enough not to follow in her parents beliefs about animals! She comes here, doesn't she?
If somebody feeds their dog a lower quality food, don't assume they know that it's not OK to do that! They may think they're doing something wonderful because they're not feeding the dog rotten leftovers!
Please - be patient and nice and teach people to love and respect animals. Don't be mean and teach them to dislike animal advocates.
I really appreciate everything Pet Talk has taught me. If I hadn't joined Pet Talk, Jake would still be sitting around with ear infections because I wouldn't even believe he could feel pain. Because of Pet Talk I have four healthy and happy animals. Pet Talk has been more valuable to me than I can even express!
Please take the responsibility of teaching others seriously, and don't use pet talk as a way to vent your frustrations at people. If you want to help animals, kindly teaching people is the way to do it.
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I'm so sorry you and your animals had to go through that, but I'm so happy to see that your father's views were not instilled in you!! I know not everyone is a fanatic about animals like I am, but I truly cannot understand anyone who believes as your father did. I just don't get it. 
I miss you
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