To what extent do you think poverty affects dogs?

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

If people decided who got animals based on how much money they had I wouldn't have been allowed to have Sasha. I like to think that I give her a good life. I can't do everything I want to with her because of money, but I think she's happy. As far as what kind of food they're eating....well...you know, I try to do right by Sasha. I get her the best food I can afford (TOTW). I hope it helps to make her lifespan longer; it may or may not. My golden spent his whole life on crappy food. The best food I think he was ever fed was Science Diet. He lived a good, long life. So while I think it can make a difference, and people should try to do as well by them as they can, a dog eating Purina or whatever doesn't make the owner a bad owner. Also, some people simply don't know about animal nutrition. I didn't know anything about dog nutrition until I came here. After I came here I started doing research, and have decided I like the raw diet best. I can't afford it right now. I don't have the space or the money. Am I terrible because I'm not feeding Sasha what I think is the best thing for her? No. I simply am what I am. A poor college student who loves her dog more than she loves herself, and guarantee you this college kid with no money treats her dog better than a lot of "real adults" with money.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by NewbieShepherdGirl

If people decided who got animals based on how much money they had I wouldn't have been allowed to have Sasha. I like to think that I give her a good life. I can't do everything I want to with her because of money, but I think she's happy. As far as what kind of food they're eating....well...you know, I try to do right by Sasha. I get her the best food I can afford (TOTW). I hope it helps to make her lifespan longer; it may or may not. My golden spent his whole life on crappy food. The best food I think he was ever fed was Science Diet. He lived a good, long life. So while I think it can make a difference, and people should try to do as well by them as they can, a dog eating Purina or whatever doesn't make the owner a bad owner. Also, some people simply don't know about animal nutrition. I didn't know anything about dog nutrition until I came here. After I came here I started doing research, and have decided I like the raw diet best. I can't afford it right now. I don't have the space or the money. Am I terrible because I'm not feeding Sasha what I think is the best thing for her? No. I simply am what I am. A poor college student who loves her dog more than she loves herself, and guarantee you this college kid with no money treats her dog better than a lot of "real adults" with money.

You are doing pretty well by Sasha whether your a college kid or not. TOTW is not kibbles and Bits by any means and it is a premium food. Im confused is there a suggestion that we should have an income standard to have a dog . If so most puppy mill owners pass an income requirement. I know people on this board who have moved mountains to get their dogs what they needed and they might not be rolling in dough but they have the knowledge ,skills and drive as well as the willingness to network to give their dogs the best care possible.I am also a little alarmed re legislation as I live in Ohio too.

[Germanshepherdlova]

I think a loving owner who was broke would do whatever they could to make sure that their pet is well taken care of. I also believe that many dog lovers would be happy to help them if an emergency arose. After reading through some of these comments from people who love their dog dearly and just don't have much money I am convinced that money has nothing to do with the quality of life that a dog will experience…it is all about love. Sorry if I offended anyone or made them feel as if I was looking down on them. I think George Vest says it best:

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.

George Graham Vest - c. 1855