Debbie, Awesome for writing that letter, I couldn't agree more. Ugh, I hate how people think that when something becomes inconvienent its right to just get rid of them. My parents have an 13 yr old dog that has some of the problems that poor kitty has. ELDERLY ANIMALS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS JUST LIKE ELDERLY PEOPLE, duh. My dad works with this dog and tries to make him as comfortable as possible and I think thats what should be going on with this kitty too. Dad would NEVER concider getting rid of the dog just because he has some problems associated with age. Man, I hope when that lady gets old and she has "problems" that her kids will take her to the shelter! Grrrr, if you can't fathom in your thick head what you need to do when the animal you keep gets older you shouldnt have animals, period. Animals are like accelerated kids, at different stages they have very differing needs that have to be adressed if the animal is to live a happy life.

And to the part about people being "unusual" for caring for a special needs animal:

Ok, are people unusual for caring for special needs childeren? Are people unusual for taking care of special needs adults? With this attude, it seems as if this columnist feels like if you have to go out of your way to help someone, it isn't worth doing and anyone who does it is foolish. Animals deserve the SAME respect (if not more respect sometimes) as people. What a friggen....ggggrrrrrrr argh people like this make me soooo sooo mad.


Sorry bout the long rant...