Pets are sentient beings on loan from their maker

and Davidson counties policy affects us how? Don't we have such a law here?

We do have a spay/neuter ordinance that is countywide here. The problem being that people can purchase an unaltered permit for $100 for the life of the animal, and it can go unaltered. That's anyone. Why do we make an ordinance, then say hmm...well, ok if you don't want to follow it, then give the city/county some money and you don't have to.
Another problem being that it is impossible to enforce spay/neuter ordinances on an entire county. If I have 2 dogs, but they don't bark or otherwise cause a reason for animal control to come to my house, it won't be known if they are altered or not.
A spay/neuter ordinance is good in theory, but I have my doubts as to how much it actually helps. Responsible people who love animals will do the right thing anyway. Trying to force irresponsible people to do the right thing is another story.

VERY well said, Zoeky.

The beginning of November a dog showed up at my front door. She is lovable and fairly housetrained. It was going to be 20 degrees that night so we brought her in. We watched the paper for 2 weeks looking for lost dog ads, but there were none for her. After 3 weeks we took her to the Vets because something was going on. She was 6 weeks pregnant. Someone obviously knew her condition and dumped her. It cost us $300 to Spay her. They have let go an intelligent, playful, sweet animal. THANK YOU.

We talk to our fish.

No, they haven't started talking back yet. But our dog definitely understands English. He's so smart, we can't even SPELL "hike" anymore without him running to the door and wagging his tail.

stereoman wrote:

We talk to our fish.
No, they haven't started talking back yet. But our dog definitely understands English. He's so smart, we can't even SPELL "hike" anymore without him running to the door and wagging his tail.

Our little beagle learned the word "walk" so early that we had to just say "W." She learned that, too, in short order, so we then resorted to different code talking just to keep her from getting too worked up.

Funny, now, here in downtown Asheville, just saying "W" gets a LOT of folks worked up!

stereoman, I agree with you. My dogs love bones. They know the unzipping sound of the bag opening, they know the exact sound of the cabinet I keep them in opening, and they know what if you dont come in this house this minute Im throwing your dinner away means.

Animals are a LOT smarter than a lot of DUMB people give them credit for ever being.

Highdiver, thank you for giving a hairy little friend a chance at a good life. It costed you dearly but she will make it up to you in pure love. Your a great person. There should be more like you on earth. I would have done the exact same thing.

But then, anyone who is decent would at least try to help a homeless animal.

Highdiver I bet that dog does everything she can do every day to pay you back for your kindness! They seem to know when someone helps them.

I know firsthand how people refusing to spay/neuter affects EVERYONE. A neighbor on my street started feeding stray cats, and before I knew it they had multiplied like wildfire. No one else did anything, so I started trapping, spay/neutering and releasing. I raised 40-something feral kittens starting when I could catch them at 4 weeks old, tamed them and adopted them to homes. I still feed what is left of the feral colony (8 cats..some have disappeared over the years). It took 4 years to get it under control.

highdiver wrote:

The beginning of November a dog showed up at my front door. She is lovable and fairly housetrained. It was going to be 20 degrees that night so we brought her in. We watched the paper for 2 weeks looking for lost dog ads, but there were none for her. After 3 weeks we took her to the Vets because something was going on. She was 6 weeks pregnant. Someone obviously knew her condition and dumped her. It cost us $300 to Spay her. They have let go an intelligent, playful, sweet animal. THANK YOU.

I believe that you can get a voucher from the Humane Society for much less expensive spayings...

Hunter you can. But read the entry. THE DOG WAS PREGNANT. That costs more.

Yes, it did cost more because she was pregnant. She is a loving dog and I believe she knows what she has.
I also have a 14y/o Shar Pei, that although she tries, she cannot play like the puppy. It's fun to play ball and I'm teaching her to catch a frisbee.

And I believe you have found a joy to love. Or she found you. How lucky for her. And she will keep your Sharpei a little more active, which is good. Thank you, highdiver. Your a good one.