OT: dogs being killed at the Sochi games. What we can do to help them

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It seemed a fair inference when someone posted let's start with people and two responses were essentially that people can help themselves but animals cannot.

Your inference is pretty far out if you deduced that I said that dogs are MORE deserving of charity than humans. In any case, it's pretty dicey to establish a "needometer" to gauge what is more of a priority for charitable giving. With limited resources, we all must, unfortunately, pick and choose.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by kcohen

Your inference is pretty far out you deduced that I said that dogs are MORE deserving of charity than humans. In any case, it's pretty dicey to establish a "needometer" to gauge what is more of a priority for charitable giving. With limited resources, we all must, unfortunately, pick and choose.

Yes, I agree and said so, people should give as their hearts dictate. My dispute was with the notion being offered to justify giving to animal rights that people can fend for themselves. I did not bring that into the picture, you did.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Yes, I agree and said so, people should give as their hearts dictate. My dispute was with the notion being offered to justify giving to animal rights that people can fend for themselves. I did not bring that into the picture, you did.

You conveniently omit that I wrote ON MANY LEVELS people can help themselves and that animals cannot. If this is not so, tell me how it's not. I don't see how giving to animal welfare needs to be justified. You brought THAT into the picture.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ken I think we are squabbling needlessly and we probably agree more than disagree, but why bring whether people can or can't help themselves into it at all? How is it even relevant to whether this is a good cause? Why did you bring it up in the first place?

[Cardboard Junkie]

I'll say it. I hate most people, and I love most animals.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I'll say it. I hate most people, and I love most animals.

You and Linus.

[johnmh71]

Sorry, but if I have to choose between donating to Dana Farber to help with a family's excessive medical expenses or donating to a bunch of mutts in another country, the choice is simple.

[kcohen]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Ken I think we are squabbling needlessly and we probably agree more than disagree, but why bring whether people can or can't help themselves into it at all? How is it even relevant to whether this is a good cause? Why did you bring it up in the first place?

I don't know. I forgot.

No seriously (somewhat), to react to the below post. Nothing more. I respect that people prioritize things differently. But it is a fact that stray dogs cannot help themselves. And yes, I agree that children mostly cannot help themselves, but they are not being shot with poison darts, at least not in any civilized country that I know of.

Originally Posted by johnmh71
"Not to say this isn't bad, but aren't there people out there that need help too? I would start there before I moved onto animals."

I'm done.

[Runscott]

I think everyone should be forced to only eat only one food item (whichever one they think is the best), and nothing else.

Or to be more relevant to this forum, you can only collect one baseball card - whichever one you think is the most important.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Soy, and Ripken (89Fleer?), soooo many variations.

Thanks Bill, for this thread. When I first saw it last night, I thought it really wouldn't get much of a response. Boy was I wrong.

Bout time someone mentions seinfeld and/or the 3rd reich. (sp?) oops I just did. (godwins rule)

[drcy]

You can help animals in your local area. And/or people too. That's not a snide remark, but a recommendation. There are strays and shelters in all localities, and being nice to a strange dog or providing water and food for local birds in winter is all a good thing. Adopt a new pet and give it an enjoyable life. Be helpful to others is also a good start. Be nice to your pet, take it for a walk today. Get your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Built a bird's nest that will protect it from cats. Have a conversation with a homeless person on the street, treat him or her as a normal person. People begging for money have told me they appreciate a conversation more than money. If you want to do charity more formal, that's great. Sign up to volunteer once a week. If you wish to donate money for a Russian dog shelter, that's great. If you prefer your charity go to downtrodden humans instead of dogs that's great as long as you do it. As my dad would say "It's not an either/or situation, it's a both/and."

Interestingly, Putin is a well known dog fan and is famous/notorious for bringing his black lab with him to meetings, including with international leaders such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel below.





The photos aren't an endorsement, just something about Putin I already knew. I read a lot.