Somewhere in the range of $500-$700. People think I'm some kind of monster because this is what I would pay for my pets medical care. I am pretty clear in my heart and mind about why I have pets, it's to give me pleasure not give a beast the best possible life at the cost of my own pleasure and welfare. I have had many pets in my life and I know that even though I have loved and treasured many of them there is always a new pet around the corner. I mourn the loss of a good pet, I don't miss the bad ones. I have one great cat right now and one that I would gladly get rid of if the wife would let me. She believes that once you get a pet, even if it brings no pleasure or even if it brings negative pleasure you must care for and protect it. I can understand he point of view in that it makes us feel good to believe that we are selfless and noble people who value and treasure all life and sacrifice for it once we have taken on some sacred task of ownership but I don't share it. I really don't understand why we have a cat that isn't particularly affectionate or interesting and who shits on the bed or in the laundry every time we are away for more than 24 hours.
It seems like you own pets for selfish reasons. Personally when I get a pet it is because it will make me happy, but what makes me happy is having a family member that I can take care of and train. (Obviously its different than a human, I wouldn't go that far) But I really disagree with people getting rid of pets they don't like or didn't train very well. That said if you don't like the pet you probably aren't a great place for it to be living and if a safe better home can be found its probably better for all involved.
Well my pet is perfectly safe and well cared for. I give it what love and affection it will accept because it's a living being that should be treated with compassion. I actually go out of my way to pay attention to the wretched beast a more than anyone else in my household and it likes me better than my mate (who ironically is the one keeping it in our house). You assumptions are pretty bold, that my pet isn't safe and that it doesn't live a pretty great life. But it's what I expect from people who can't relate to my desire to not have a pet that I don't want.
I apologize I didn't mean to imply that your home wasn't safe for your pet. I meant that if an alternative can be found, that is safe, that could be a possibly better option because it could get more love. I just don't like judging a living things worthiness based off of the personal happiness I receive from it. I understand that you don't want to have something that you don't want. But whether I agree with getting rid of it because you don't want it, or learning to want it or bond with it is our point of disagreement.