:(

Denise91980

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:49ea0f92-0ccc-41b9-82f5-ca081e5c418c">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]To the ones that replied to my comment on crates - you can try to convince yourselves that crating isn't caging (that's even more beyond me BTW) but guess what... you shut your dog in a crate when you leave?... bam! you've got a cage right there.  I'm sorry but I don't need to do "research" to know what is humane and what isn't,<strong> I have it in me do behave humanely with all living creatures.</strong>  To the one who thought I was some crazy nestie... sorry sweetie, I'm not on the nest.
Posted by wiwicaty[/QUOTE]

::Eyeroll::

Yeah...OK
I am sure you never killed a bug before because you are so humane. Get off your high friggin horse and do your research because the crate is also for safety purposes as people have mentioned. Yes, it helps to train them, but it also keeps them safe. Oh, but wait...it is more humane to you to come home to a dead dog because it chewed something that got lodged in its' throat!

Celles

H is allergic to dogs, so I am getting our four used to being gated downstairs. Upstairs is a pet free zone.

If I go downstairs in the middle of the night for a glass of water, I will find all four dogs fast asleep in their OPEN, UNLOCKED kennels. 

Yes. Inhumane. :eyeroll:

Ghoti

wiwi, I'm going to give you the benefit of a doubt and believe that you've just never seen crating done right, you've only seen the dogs on those Rescue TV shows who are left in a cage for 20 hours a day.  Before I had a dog I thought it was cruel too, but I took the time to educate myself on the matter and now know differently.

Sweded

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:9ae0cd86-fd9a-4386-a697-4acc60df7a0d">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : You should do research (why the quotes?) because you are ignorant. And ignorant people talk out of their asses. You are seriously going to sit there and DEFEND a stance in an arguement you admittedly know nothing about?  How do you get through life?
Posted by Bubbalub[/QUOTE]
 Well said.  I was going to say the same thing. :)

Bubbalub

Why thank you, Sweded. Great minds think alike.

Rosie109

My dog hates his crate so much that he goes and lays in it when he is ready for bed and ready for nap. I am such a bad doggie mommy. 

ARO1018

Wow...

Well, OP, someone did C&P this to the Pets board, but I doubt you get much traffic from it, the girls here seem to be doing a really good job of telling you how ridiculous you are.

But I'm taking a study break and don't have anything better to do, so let me tell you a story.

About a dog named Sable. She is one of my FIVE rescue pets. She was considered a "bad" dog and chained in the backyard. There she killed chickens, other small animals, chewed everything in reach of her dog house. My husband and I took her in (we are, unfortunately, related to her old owners) as soon as we knew what was going on. They swore up and down she was a "bad" dog and couldn't be trained. Since we've had her, we've worked every day on training, and we provide her with both physical exercise and mental stimulation--and she is one of the best dogs I've ever had. She exhibits exactly NONE of the bad behaviors that she did when she was chained in the backyard.

Let me tell you another story:

A cat named Penny. She was dumped by her owners in a local kill shelter in the middle of kitten season because she had been "peeing outside the litterbox". She was 10. I adopted her, brought her home. It has been a struggle integrating her into our home. One of my cats can't stand her. She is old and cranky. The first month she was here she marked EVERYTHING. We've had her for a year and never once thought about getting rid of her. We've spent plenty of money trying every calming agent on the planet to help her relieve her anxiety. We finally settled on calming collars and Feliway plug-ins. No more marking.

Let me tell you one more story:

About one of my other cats, Lucky. Lucky is a behavioral pee-er. She has absolutely no medical issues, and you cannot predict what she is going to pee on or when she will do it. We put aluminum foil on the couch when we leave the house to keep her from peeing on it. We're in the process of getting rid of all carpeting in the house because she will pee on it. She also pees on clothes left on the floor. I sure as hell didn't think about getting rid of her, I "trained" the people living in my house NOT TO LEAVE CLOTHES ON THE FLOOR. Again, calming agents, Feliway plug-ins have helped immensely, but there is not a guarantee with her. And she is only five, so, if I'm lucky I will still have her in all her crazy peeing glory for several more years.

My other two rescue pets are the easy ones, but that didn't keep them (a cat and a dog) from puking up hairballs until we got him transitioned to grain free food or eating shoes, underwear, and a bra until I learned to stop leaving my crap where she could get it.

OP, I tell you these stories so you realize that everything you've done thus far is incredibly inadequate. And don't misunderstand me, I don't think I am special by any means---I think any decent human being who has a pet will go to the lengths I have gone to. So, for the love of baby Jesus, just be a decent human being.

As for the girl who is FREAKING out about crating--one of my dogs doesn't need to be crated, she is baby-gated in a hallway when we leave. One absolutely has to be crated because she has serious separation anxiety if we leave the house and DON'T crate her. And, on days that I am home, if I don't put her in her kennel at the normal time, she goes in there ON HER OWN and naps in it with the door open. So thank you for sharing your completely ignorant and incorrect theories about crating. It isn't for every dog, not every dog needs it, but it certainly isn't "inhumane" and if you knew anything about dogs, you would know that.

Back to TN now, since I don't belong here anyway.  

missy68

No, wiwi, you're not a "crazy nestie" - you're just crazy. And ignorant.

And probably have a Chihuahua or teacup size dog you carry around everywhere in your purse (no offense to actual normal chihuahua owners). Quit getting dog tips from Paris Hilton.

Elle1036

I'm waaay late to this but, OP, if you're still reading:

Drive the dog to Houston and I'll personally see to it that she gets a good home.  It's only a couple hours, and I'll even meet you halfway, since I'm sure the drive is too much effort for you guys.

HoratioCaine

It seems somebody...

...will be sleeping in the dog house.

YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

dragonwagon

poor wiwi has been watching way too many episode of animal hoarders

dragonwagon

my dog is kept in a 20X20 cage (try to contain your shrieks of horror) at night and roams during the day. The gate is kept open and ya know what, about 90% of the time when we come home, he is shooting the breeze in that damn cage. Should we put him on suicide watch? He obviously hates himself or his life or something. He's practically punishing himself!

ETA: 20X20 FEET

jlthompson19

IF you are going to do any research into a new training method, do NOT use Casear Milan.  That's probably where your moronic trainer gets his ideas from.

Having an outside dog is just as cruel as sending it to a shelter. 

Please take one of these ladies up on their offers to take the dog off your hands.  She deserves much better than what you are willing to give her.

onceuponadisaster

Late to the party here, but ditto to NOT using Cesar Milan as a guide when it comes to training. 

OP, I understand your frustration. I've been there. I adopted two puppies within 3 months of each other. I don't know what I was thinking, except they were both going to be euthanized, and their only crime was being born into a family that didn't want them. 

They destroyed a racing swimsuit, my rowing shorts and shirt, a coach handbag, my favorite jeans, my high heels, etc. I learned, I took responsibility for my own actions/laziness of not putting my belongings away, and I trained them. 

Seriously, find your dog a new home, because you seem to be completely incompetent. 

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:35ced0fe-e636-444c-b38d-51a7893c797e">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]my dog is kept in a 20X20 cage (try to contain your shrieks of horror) at night and roams during the day. The gate is kept open and ya know what, about 90% of the time when we come home, he is shooting the breeze in that damn cage. Should we put him on suicide watch? He obviously hates himself or his life or something. He's practically punishing himself! <strong>ETA: 20X20 FEET</strong>
Posted by dragonwagon[/QUOTE]

Sooo...  your dog has a "cage" the size of an average studio apartment?  I'm assuming this is outdoors?

Ghoti

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:59cc24e4-4b81-4cac-9482-1e96ceabe06f">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : Sooo...  your dog has a "cage" the size of an average studio apartment?  I'm assuming this is outdoors?
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]
Yeah, that's a cage, not a crate I would think.

bigbabyface

extremely late myself....but i'm not going to lie. the last 13 pages have made an amusing addition to my morning.

First off, OP, i'm going to agree it can be frustrating when dogs eat things that they are not supposed to. I come home to find "surprises" on a weekly basis. I learn the next week to lock it up.

Second, your dog tearing TWO doors off it's hinges? Do you think we're stupid? I see the picture in your signature..that's not a large dog, she's fairly medium sized....but too tear TWO doors off the hinges..your insane. my pitt can't even do that...and she's solid muscle

Third, let me make a list for you.....
Three dry wall's
countless crown molding
carpet
GLASS dishes...
plastic trash can
clothing
Shoes
a mattress...
a oak bar chair
a cabinet
harnesses, collars, and leashes
a couch
and a temperpedic pillow
a christmas tree
a hockey stick
ornaments
god knows how many paper towel rolls
a door handle
a corner of an oak door
oh and this was fun...coming home to have had him opened the fridge and busted everything! inside....
he's also done this to a pantry...do you know how long it takes to pic up macaroni or candy that has stuck itself into the carpet by the time i get home?

he's also crapped on my walls countless times when he was a puppy...

that's probably not the half of it...guess what...it never crossed my mind to get rid of him. as a matter of fact...we made the investment of another dog....so he could expend energy through the day...that fixed it...completely.

Lastly, making your dog primary an outside dog...does not sound like a good idea. if it can "tear" a door off the hinges...what makes you think it can't tear a fence out of the ground, chew through it, dig under it, or go over it? and dont try and use the excuse of tying it up somewhere...because obviously if it can chew through a crate it's going to take more than a rope to hold it down. why not invest in an industrial cable. that might work.

if you couldnt afford a dog, you should not have gotten one. Also, not comparing to kids, but having a dog is exactly like being a parent when it comes to caring for it. you have to feed it, clean it, and care for it. you should have done your research. we make out dogs our first priority, we make $25k a year a piece...so dont use money as a freaking excuse.

I can see how you're frustrated, it's SO irritating to try something and then something else over and over again to find it not work....but seriously, take responsibility. you can figure it out i'm sure. 

you still disgust me. 

Dork_Fish

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:fde23068-f4d5-4d0d-9ca0-337f7032c05b">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]extremely late myself....but i'm not going to lie. the last 13 pages have made an amusing addition to my morning. First off, OP, i'm going to agree it can be frustrating when dogs eat things that they are not supposed to. I come home to find "surprises" on a weekly basis. I learn the next week to lock it up. Second, your dog tearing TWO doors off it's hinges? Do you think we're stupid? I see the picture in your signature..that's not a large dog, she's fairly medium sized....but too tear TWO doors off the hinges..your insane. my pitt can't even do that...and she's solid muscle Third, let me make a list for you..... Three dry wall's countless crown molding carpet GLASS dishes... plastic trash can clothing Shoes a mattress... a oak bar chair a cabinet harnesses, collars, and leashes a couch and a temperpedic pillow a christmas tree a hockey stick ornaments god knows how many paper towel rolls a door handle a corner of an oak door oh and this was fun...coming home to have had him opened the fridge and busted everything! inside.... he's also done this to a pantry...do you know how long it takes to pic up macaroni or candy that has stuck itself into the carpet by the time i get home? he's also crapped on my walls countless times when he was a puppy... that's probably not the half of it...guess what...it never crossed my mind to get rid of him. as a matter of fact...we made the investment of another dog....so he could expend energy through the day...that fixed it...completely. Lastly, making your dog primary an outside dog...does not sound like a good idea. if it can "tear" a door off the hinges...what makes you think it can't tear a fence out of the ground, chew through it, dig under it, or go over it? and dont try and use the excuse of tying it up somewhere...because obviously if it can chew through a crate it's going to take more than a rope to hold it down. why not invest in an industrial cable. that might work. if you couldnt afford a dog, you should not have gotten one. Also, not comparing to kids, but having a dog is exactly like being a parent when it comes to caring for it. you have to feed it, clean it, and care for it. you should have done your research. we make out dogs our first priority, we make $25k a year a piece...so dont use money as a freaking excuse. I can see how you're frustrated, it's SO irritating to try something and then something else over and over again to find it not work....but seriously, take responsibility. you can figure it out i'm sure.  you still disgust me. 
Posted by bigbabyface[/QUOTE]
You need to come join our poll on Pets :)

bigbabyface

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:e160722f-656e-48c2-b72f-5ad71b27885b">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : You need to come join our poll on Pets :)
Posted by Dork_Fish[/QUOTE]

where is said poll? :)

dragonwagon

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:33d4e885-df5c-4374-a97c-00ccd054367a">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]Having an outside dog is just as cruel as sending it to a shelter.
Posted by jlthompson19[/QUOTE]

I really hope this statement is a joke. You do know that dogs are animals, right?

dragonwagon

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:59cc24e4-4b81-4cac-9482-1e96ceabe06f">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : Sooo...  your dog has a "cage" the size of an average studio apartment?  I'm assuming this is outdoors?
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]


Yes, his theoretical cage (since we are going to put quotations around it), is outside.   I'm assuming it's a cage because it has  a chain linked fence around it and a concrete floor. Am I using the wrong word here, or is Elle just being a nit-picker? Is there some other word for my pet's living situation of which I am unaware?

bigbabyface

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:508d3466-6f34-4145-b95c-9a13a93e2eee">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : Yes, his theoretical cage (since we are going to put quotations around it), is outside.   I'm assuming it's a cage because it has  a chain linked fence around it and a concrete floor. Am I using the wrong word here, or is Elle just being a nit-picker? Is there some other word for my pet's living situation of which I am unaware?
Posted by dragonwagon[/QUOTE]

If we must use another word for it...It's a dog run....or dog Pen....

But...it's a cage...a kennel...a way to keep the dog inside a certain area.

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:508d3466-6f34-4145-b95c-9a13a93e2eee">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : Yes, his theoretical cage (since we are going to put quotations around it), is outside.   I'm assuming it's a cage because it has  a chain linked fence around it and a concrete floor. Am I using the wrong word here, or is Elle just being a nit-picker? Is there some other word for my pet's living situation of which I am unaware?
Posted by dragonwagon[/QUOTE]

I was just confused.  When I hear "cage" I think of something smaller, like my dog's crate. 

Celles

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:1269f498-5bef-45fe-888f-e05abe459365">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : I really hope this statement is a joke. You do know that dogs are animals, right?
Posted by dragonwagon[/QUOTE]

It wasn't my statement, but I doubt it was a joke. Honestly, I don't understand why <em>anyone</em> would adopt a dog only to banish it to the backyard 24/7. Dogs are pack animals. They need to be with their pack -- i.e., YOU.

Whether or not keeping a dog outdoors is cruel or not depends on a variety of factors. The breed of dog; the local climate; the provisions you've made for shelter, food and water; the amount of time you dedicate to interacting with your dog outside; the quality of physical and mental stimulation provided; and whether the dog is a working dog or a pet. 

cdavislynn

I am genreally a lurker...but this is too much for me not to post. I agree wholeheartedly with everyone's PP.

OP, you are a horrible pet owner. Never buy another pet, ever. You don't have what it takes to be a responsible, patient pet owner.

Our dog has done stupid things: chewed up all of my entry way rugs...chewed on shoes, peed in the house over and over, barked at kids, chased cars/bikes, etc etc. He was a dog that came from a shelter. We rescued him the night before he was to be euthanized in the morning. Some irresponsible owners abandoned him, probably because of some of the aforementioned behaviors.

I committed to him for his life when I adopted him. He trusts me. I was determined not to let him down. I took responsiblity for his behaviors, meaning I took the responsibility to try multiple methods of training, give him more exercise to relieve boredom, etc etc...on and on. Sometimes, the first things I tried didn't work. But I never gave up on him, even when I so frustrated I wanted to cry.

I am proud to say: a year and a half later, he no longer engages in ANY of those behaviors. He stays in the house and never chews anything...he is a wonderful wonderful animal.

Now he is digging holes in his yard. I have NEVER EVER thought about sending him back to the shelter. The thought makes me sick.
I will now have to work on this behavior with him, and find ways to prevent it, ie. set him up for success. Sometimes we do really stupid things to set our dogs up for failure: like making it possible for them to have access to our $100 shoes...seriously. We are supposedly smarter than dogs...you have to be able to use your brain and be one step ahead of them. Do research on how to use different training methods.

Why don't you put an ad on Craigslist and try to find him a decent home with someone who has more patience, love and sense of responsibility than you?

Put this in your ad: "Irresponsible, impatient, dog-owner who cares more about my shoes seeking home for my dog before I decide to abandon him."

bigbabyface

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:ade7e777-69bc-4d5b-ad9c-c2092aa822be">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]I am genreally a lurker...but this is too much for me not to post. I agree wholeheartedly with everyone's PP. OP, you are a horrible pet owner. Never buy another pet, ever. You don't have what it takes to be a responsible, patient pet owner. Our dog has done stupid things: chewed up all of my entry way rugs...chewed on shoes, peed in the house over and over, barked at kids, chased cars/bikes, etc etc. <strong>He was a dog that came from a shelter. We rescued him the night before he was to be euthanized in the morning.</strong> Some irresponsible owners abandoned him, probably because of some of the aforementioned behaviors. I committed to him for his life when I adopted him. He trusts me. I was determined not to let him down. I took responsiblity for his behaviors, meaning I took the responsibility to try multiple methods of training, give him more exercise to relieve boredom, etc etc...on and on. Sometimes, the first things I tried didn't work. But I never gave up on him, even when I so frustrated I wanted to cry. I am proud to say: a year and a half later, he no longer engages in ANY of those behaviors. He stays in the house and never chews anything...he is a wonderful wonderful animal. Now he is digging holes in his yard. I have NEVER EVER thought about sending him back to the shelter. The thought makes me sick. I will now have to work on this behavior with him, and find ways to prevent it, ie. set him up for success. Sometimes we do really stupid things to set our dogs up for failure: like making it possible for them to have access to our $100 shoes...seriously. We are supposedly smarter than dogs...you have to be able to use your brain and be one step ahead of them. Do research on how to use different training methods. Why don't you put an ad on Craigslist and try to find him a decent home with someone who has more patience, love and sense of responsibility than you? Put this in your ad: "Irresponsible, impatient, dog-owner who cares more about my shoes seeking home for my dog before I decide to abandon him."
Posted by cdavislynn[/QUOTE]

in my opinion dogs from shelters can be some of the BEST dogs. We rescued our husky the night before she was deemed to be euthanized. The pound picked her up on Friday night, she had saturday to find a family. Monday morning she was going to be put down.

She had alot of problems when we first got her, she was half her body weight, really food agressive and after a few days she started to get aggresive towards our other dog when he came towards us. You could tell she was beat in her previous home because she's extremely hand shy, however after months of working with her;  She is now, literally, the most loving animal i've ever met. How someone could dump her at a shelter, i'll never know.

cdavislynn

Well,,,,,this OP has a LOT more responses. I don't have time to go through all of them. Sorry. I did read the first page of the thread and responded...
Part of my lengthy response included something about a cragslist for that the idiot OP to find a home for her dog.
I had no idea that that is a place where people find animals for torture, medical experiments etc. Therefore, I take back my reccomendation! I was actually thinking along the lines of someone posting a Craiglist ad and doing interviews/ meeting a potential new owner and thoroughly checking out the potential new owners, but I guess that is not possible to make sure none of them are sociopaths who want to abuse animals..plus OP sounds too damn lazy to do something like that anyay.

Then, it sounds like somewhere within the 300+ posts, the OP decided not to get rid of their dog. That is really too bad...he deserves far better. Hey O.P.! I'll pay to fly that dog up to Alaska! NO joke. PM me.

cdavislynn

And...my friend's dog recently passed away in her sleep.
In her crate, with the door wide open. It was her most secure place to be. So much so, that she crawled in there when she knew she was dying.  
Dogs are direct descendents of wolves...who live in dens. If you know anything about dens, it's easy to see how comparible they are to crates.
Small spaces where they sleep like that and feel safe are a very natural place for them. Duh.

And, I am not advocating leaving them in a crate for hours and hours...obviously.
They are not cruel when used in the right way: ie, with lots of proper training.

murphanzo

My dogs ate the carpet, padding under it, and put a hole in the concrete under that.  Did I throw them out like 3 day old chinese?  NO!  I realized I was neglecting them and did something about it!  Now I have 2 agility dogs, because I understood that dogs get destructive when they get bored!  Here's a thought, get off the couch, get off the computer, and take your dog for a walk DAILY.

dragonwagon

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_untitled-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:b74de367-7a7e-42f9-a173-2d87082423aaPost:dacd8b58-6165-4951-ae51-fa1cd8e1b7f6">Re: :(</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: :( : It wasn't my statement, but I doubt it was a joke. Honestly, I don't understand why anyone would adopt a dog only to banish it to the backyard 24/7. Dogs are pack animals. They need to be with their pack -- i.e., YOU. <u>Whether or not keeping a dog outdoors is cruel or not depends on a variety of factors. The breed of dog; the local climate; the provisions you've made for shelter, food and water; the amount of time you dedicate to interacting with your dog outside; the quality of physical and mental stimulation provided; and whether the dog is a working dog or a pet. </u>
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

You are absolutely right. I just thought that was a blanket statement about owners of dogs that primarily stay outdoors. Many variables have to be considered before a pet owner with a dog that lives outside can be deemed "cruel", such as the fact that a resident of the home has a severe allergy to pet dander.