Blimey calm down Malka, we all have the right to our point of view and we don't have to agree with anything anyone says just don't take it personally.

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It's a debate.

As for making it more difficult for people to acquire a dog in the first place, I disagree with that too. No one tells us we're suitable to be parents so why should we jump through hoops to have a dog. Most owners have the best intentions when they acquire a dog, sh*t sometimes happens in life, such as redundancy, illness, death, divorce etc etc and those good intentions may go out of the window for any of us. No amount of vetting could forsee the future and are we to live in a land where dog ownership is a luxury for only the financial secure elite. If so I'll dig out me passport pretty nifty is all I can say.

The only thing I considered when deciding on whether to have a dog was would my cat be ok. As was said earlier, if I'd considered money I wouldn't have had kids never mind pets.
I had insurance but cancelled because the only time I claimed they wouldn't pay out because they don't do 'eyes'
I knew my house and garden are safe, and she would be fed and loved.

It is nobody's business whether I can or cannot afford to "get" a dog.

Good question Tang. And I think one we should all ask ourselves before getting a dog.

However, if you're anything like me, you will never be in a perfect position - unless you are a millionaire and blessed with lots of other things too, which reach far beyond just being able to afford a dog.

I'd want to feed a species appropriate organic diet. I'd want our own woods. I'd want the best insurance. I'd want to be able to work less to spend more time with my dog. I'd want my own perfect health. I'd want a perfect breeding. I'd want to be intelligent enough to train my dog perfectly. I'd want more patience. Etc etc

So as you can see, it will never be perfect - sometimes you just have to do the best you can, and accept that life isn't always plain sailing. As long as you have thought about things thoroughly, sometimes your best is good enough... even if it's not perfect. Love, caring and understanding makes up for a lot.

Someties you just cope in the best way you can.

That's so true and luckily our dogs are not aware of designer branding etc as long as we love them and feed them they don't actually ask for anything else.

Where did that particular piece of nastiness come from?

Geezus I tried to think of a subject matter that would be good to be up for debate.

And I've already said this is not about who spends MORE on their dog than others. More about whether people THINKING of getting a dog should be more aware of the cost other than initial purchase and feeding.

As for what I spend my money on - NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS! As for why I took my dog to UK with me it's because I couldn't BEAR to be parted from her for that long. I missed her sorely even for the three weeks I was gone for this time and would have flown her if her rabies booster was up to date and stayed longer.

As for what gives ME the right to START ANY THREAD. It's because I can - same as anyone else can (and I don't start many!) and AZZ was asking for some ideas too.

You are WELL OUT OF ORDER lady!