Thanks for that insight.
You are right - while my father taught us to love nature and the creatures within and all living animals are beautiful and feel and should be treated with respect-my mother was always selfish and would "get rid" of pets because they were an inconvenience to her. Thankfully she was not so cruel as to shoot them or destroy them in cruel ways-but instead they would go to a shelter-or she would find them a new home.
But our poor family dog was mistreated and neglected for years after I left home - but I lived too far away to come take care of her.
In spite of her selfishness, I came thru being a true animal lover and "mom" did not rub off on me. I think there is hope for most-once they experience the love an animal can give.
I try hard to instill these things in my nephews and I will with my niece as she grows too (she is only 6 months old now) But you are so right-we are products of our parents, and it is up to us to help change the views of these people.