Ooooooooooooooooooooo!! My 'pet' hate (excuse the pun) has surfaced on Bookoo again!! That is people using the excuse of being pregnant to justify them dumping their pets!! Sorry their 'beloved' pets!!
Someone yesterday even said they could no longer look after their cat due to her being pregnant!! Cats virtually look after themselves, just open a sachet of food for them, give them somewhere to sleep (usually your bed!) somewhere to crap and a way of getting outside and they're happy!! This person had said that the cat was great with the kids she already has so obviously no problem there!! The day before it was a dog that had to go!! Why are some people so irresponsible with pets?!!! 

I don't have an answer for your question, but thank you at least for not assuming or asserting that it's only Americans who act this way. Truth is many of us are disgusted by it too for the bad name it gives us.

That said, whether it's a valid excuse or not it's better they give the animal up rather than let it live neglected. 

We don't have pets...anymore. We actually took ours to the shelter once we got orders to come over here. Pay thousands of dollars to ship an animal? No thanks. High five to those that are willing to go that far though.

I know what I'm about to say will come across as offensive to some people but my cousin Dave once told me: "A box of rounds is cheaper than the vet doing the SAME job" after his dog "Sergeant" got too old and weak to fend off heart worms. He was pretty much in agony, poor guy. Dave loved that dog and we all grew up with him...the vet wanted around $80 iirc to put the dog to sleep. Dave opted for a box of bullets for his deer rifle instead.

In my personal opinion for Dave to do it was more fitting than dropping the dog off in a strange place, with strange people and make his situation worse....at least Dave loved him and the dog knew it. He died knowing it.

Regarding the prego people that give animals up. I think some of it has to do with possible issues with the baby and the animal. I know for cats their feces is a big issue when it comes to babies. Toxoplasmosis is the thing most new mothers worry about.

Infections pets carry

Other than the Toxoplasmosis I agree with Taloolah, cats are capable of taking care of themselves for the most part. Back when I was younger and still lived at home we had a couple cats...and I remember a couple times where we didn't even have food for them because they preferred hunting....plus we lived near a barn with milk cows in it and they liked going down there and drinking the fresh milk the farmers put out for their own cats.

Pretty easy to take care of, but I can see the risk factor as well as the complication raising a baby brings to the table. Also, some cats are snooty and can be aggressive. My Mother in Laws cat is a brat! She will be all nice....then SCRATCH! Out come the claws and then she swats and runs! Crazy!

Dogs, well dogs and newborns don't always mix well. Bigger dogs can be overwhelming for new parents...especially when bringing the baby home for the first time. My Brother in Law has a Great Dane and it was quite difficult for the first couple weeks once he brought his Son home from the hospital. The dog just didn't know how to react to this new baby. With dogs the owner is often considered the "Alpha" of their group....at least this is how a dog views the "master". So for the master to devote more time to a new addition to the family can cause some hiccups!

So, when it comes to new babies and animals I think it really depends on the comfort level of the new parents. If they think they can handle a new baby and all that comes with that as well as taking care of an animal then great. However, if they feel that raising a child will take more of their time....then like AFCartoonist said the animal may end up being neglected albeit inadvertently.

It's just the nature of the military. It's not always conducive to being a pet owner for everyone. 

Don't you think these people should consider all these possible problems before taking on what is in fact a liing thing not a toy!! I have always had pets and through my acting responsibly my children (and now my grandchild) have never come to grief. All it takes is a bit of common sense and a little effort, I'm afraid Bookoo has made it far too easy for people who are fed up with their pets to get rid of them! It's interesting that an awful lot of the puppies that are being got rid of on here are just reaching the 'no longer cute but just annoying' stage!!
People just don't think enough before getting a pet!
AFCartoonist I am an 'American friendly' Brit so wouldn't dare to assume only amercians did this :), I mean I let my daughter marry one of you, how friendlier can I get, lol!
Although saying that a few months ago there were quite a lot of pets on here because their owners were PCSing, surely when you get posted over here you know you are going to have to go back sometime so why get a pet you have no intention of taking back with you that is just selfish and heartless!! I know it costs an arm and a leg as my daughter and son-in-law did it with their two mongrels, but no way were they leaving them behind!!
Union Jack I actually think your friend shooting his old dog is not a bad thing! However I always make sure i am there holding my pet when it has that final injection (i don't have a gun!), no matter how much it tears me up, it's the last act of a responsible pet owner! 

I agree, people should consider all possible outcomes regarding pet ownership and Military responsibilities. The problem is things like kids, orders and the like can come without warning.

There are a number of bases in the US where people can get "stuck". We have a friend that is STILL at Moody AFB....and when we were there four years ago she had been there for 12 years at that point. It happens. So a base like that...everything might be stable and then wham! you get orders to go overseas. Or, you find out you're pregnant and the IUD let that .2 % slip through. Life likes to deal odd hands! 

This subject is very, very raw with me, so please forgive me, everyone, if I seem to go too far!
This is not aimed directly at "visiting" forces, but the clue is in the title! You are visiting, you may have a 1, 2, 3 or 4 year term here, BUT as you all know, that can change at any time. For that reason, if the only one, I truly feel that "visiting" forces should not be permitted to having pets over here or any of their "temporary" bases, PERIOD! Apart from possibly fish!
I know a lot of pet owners feel they are doing the right thing by shipping their pets to & from where ever they go, but how feckin' cruel is that??? Animals are NOT luggage, but from what I can gather, they are treated as such. I choose not to fly for my own reasons, but these animals have NO choice, they don't understand what is happening to them, I think it's dreadful. Also, as for people getting rid, yes getting rid of their pets because: They have decided to start their own family and are pregnant, well you have already started a family with your pets! They are not a stop gap, to fill a hole until you have kids. If your child takes up too much of your time and you don't have any time left for your pet, then get rid of your child then! Oh NO, can't possibly do that, can you? No, and you shouldn't do that to a pet either. If, one day you want to have children, DON'T have pets!
Before I go, because my fingers are beginning to hurt! Cats, dogs, rabbits etc. can be fixed at the vets so they don't have babies. So you don't have to advertise them on here, needing loving homes. Oh yes, sorry I forgot, that costs money, hey!
That's it, I am finished. 

Before I go, because my fingers are beginning to hurt!



Ask that windbag SSDD/Union Jack how he is able to type 500 words of drivel. 

If your child takes up too much of your time and you don't have any time left for your pet, then get rid of your child then! Oh NO, can't possibly do that, can you?

You can in Nebraska......

"visiting" forces should not be permitted to having pets over here or any of their "temporary" bases, PERIOD!

Kerrie, I think you're coming from a well intentioned place when you wrote all that. However, I have to disagree. Besides the fact that "visiting forces" are not the only people who travel, your opinion would seem to suggest anyone who ever wishes to relocate abroad should never bring a pet in to their home.

Also, what about the families who DO understand the responsibilities to their pets. I researched for months before I got a puppy that I think best fits in to our military life. We love him to death and don't know what we would do without him.

I would feel so robbed if we never had the opportunity to bring him in to our family just because there are irresponsible people in the military (just like in any other walk of life). 

Well-intentioned or not, I think Kerrie's words are clueless ramblings. I have three dogs here, two of which my wife and I brought with us. By the time we leave here we will have spent seven years at this base - the longest assignment of my career. Animals are not luggage? Are you serious? Are you suggesting they should be shut up in a house and never made to travel by any means, or are you merely stating that because you don't like to fly that no creature should be subject to that horror? Babies don't have a choice, nor do they understand what's happening when they fly - should we leave them out of our lives as well? Thank God people like you aren't in charge of making these decisions. I adopted all three of my "kids" because I wanted to make them a part of our home, our lives. And you have the gall to suggest I don't deserve them because I'm here for a predetermined amount of time? Ridiculous. Nothing you say on this site will ever hold water as far as I'm concerned. 

HonchosGhost - hahaheehee, bless him.
AFCartoonist - BS!!!!! Well intentioned YES, clueless ramblings NO!
"Animals are not luggage? Are you serious"
Yes, I am serious, so tell me this AFCartoonist, where are animals located on a plane, when they are transported? If like I said, they are in fact in the luggage department, are you able to be with them during the entire flight, to comfort, re-assure and look after them? Are babies kept in the luggage department? I don't think so for one minute. I am asking because I don't know, just guessing by what I have heard and seen on tv.
I am 100% convinced that if visiting forces were not permitted to have pets while they are visiting, there would be a lot less adverts on lys for unwanted animals - true?
I don't give a **** if nothing I say on this site will ever hold water, as far as your concerned. And I am pleased for your dogs sake that this is the longest assignment of your career, hopefully by the time they have to go back into the baggage area, they will have forgotten about what an ordeal it was! Or are they drugged so they don't know whats going on? Who am I to say what you do and don't deserve????
O.o - Re-locating is very different from visiting, would you not agree?
You researched for months before getting your puppy that best fits in to your military life. What kind of puppy is that then? Where are you stationed, at the moment and for how long, or are you not sure, could you get orders to leave next week??????
I have no doubt at all that you love him to death and don't know what you would do without him, I am sure that he definately feels the same about you too!!!!
I am definately not calling all military irresponsible, just some, just like us Brits and any other walk of life that think it's ok to treat animals (pets) like possessions that can be wanted one minute and un-wanted the next.
Oh and just going back to the baby part - I am amazed at how adaptable all the military children are to military life, making friends at one place then up sticks and make some more, then up sticks and make some more etc. etc. I would take my hat off to them, if I had one! 

Hmm, eight to ten hours in a climate-controlled, sound-insulated cargo hold or abandoned by the family they've come to love? Yeah, your solution is best, I'm sure.

What you're essentially saying is that due to the unpredictable nature of our lives, and the fact that at any minute we may be required to pack up and move, we should never be allowed to have pets in our military careers. That's idiotic. I can promise you I take better care of my dogs than some people take care of their kids, but I couldn't care less what you think, to be honest.

Your ideas are lunacy. They're an insult to me and every other military member who has spent thousands of dollars out of pocket - because the Air Force sure as hell doesn't give a single red cent - to make sure we stand by the commitment we made when we brought an animal into our homes. 

I'm wondering, if we should baby our animals so much, what do you think of the horror animals go through being left at the vets to be put to sleep by strangers, have some organs removed and wake up in a strange place, drugged and barely lucid to then be picked up by the owner in pain and wearing a strange contraption for weeks? Or do they get over it and barely remember that it ever happened? What about each time they go to the vet and get needles and poked and prodded? I'm sure the animals don't enjoy any of this either. But it's for the best. Best for them and best for the owners, that the animals are loved and taken care of never abandoned.


Because you are asking the impossible that all dogs should only go to people who stay in the same place. This is the only time I've ever heard such comments about animals and the military and why military shouldn't have them. I applaud your passion for animals. But lets face it, people who move a lot also have a passion for animals. And those animals are going to be here whether or not the military has them. So the people who love their animals just as much as anyone could, those animals are better off moving once every 3-4 years (if someone should stay overseas, which is rare) than have substandard care in a permanent home or worse. Not to mention, a lot of military people realize how lacking some of their fellow countrymen are, and take great pains to help with donating to shelters and being foster parents to animals who are left behind and shelters are full.

I agree though, that if you have left one animal behind during a move because you had neither the funds nor the want to move your responsibility, you should NEVER own an animal again. 

Ask that windbag SSDD/Union Jack how he is able to type 500 words of drivel.

Drivel! Blasphemy! How DARE you insult the one and only Union Jack! Don't make me sick my Marmot on you Blasphemer! I'll smite you! 

My daughter had her two dogs flown over and they were fine with the whole experience (in fact at the same time they were travelling this way I was flying the opposite way by Aer Lingus to accompany my son-in-law with a fear of flying back to this country, and I think they got the best deal!).
I wholeheartedly applaud anyone who is willing to do thirs for their pets, you are true animal lovers and I don't agree that you shouldn't have pets if you are prepared to be a responsible owner. 

I'm an English Bulldog fan....so sadly I couldn't bring over one of those dogs even if I had one. They have respiratory problems so flying isn't good for them.

We recently heard a PCS horror story....well a couple of them actually. Both involving kitties.

The first was a family that was PCSing...TMO came over and packed up their stuff. This particular family had purchased a Washer/Dryer while here. So, naturally TMO packed that stuff up too. Everything seemed normal until they got back to the USA. They opened up their dryer only to discover one of the kittens they thought ran away in England....was in fact closed inside the dryer by the TMO guys. Poor kitty. He was stuck in the dryer the entire time...and died on the voyage across the Atlantic.

The second TMO horror story was the moving guys packed up all the stuff, then put the boxes in one of the big plywood crates that they nail shut. Then....they all heard frantic meowing from inside one of the crates. They ended up having to open the crate as well as every single box to rescue the kitty trapped inside. Crazy! Be warned people! TMO will pack EVERYTHING. 

We used to own a very inquisitive cat and everytime someone moved out on our close I used to have to make sure I had located him before the removal men drove off!! It's alright though as he eventually died of old age not lack of oxygen half way across the Atlantic! 

Oh Union Jack you sooooo love everything English don't you!! Lol!! 

Oh Union Jack you sooooo love everything English don't you!! Lol!! 

I do! Although I'd have to say Jaffa cakes are my most favorite of all things here. No joke! 

Oh you had to didn't you, I now have a real craving for a jaffa cake or two!!
BTW our chocolate is much nicer than yours as well. What's with the soapy taste of Hersheys chocolate?! 

Seriously UJ you do sound a lot happier it can't be the increased sunshine (?) so I'm guessing you're getting nearer to ' home' time :) 

Yeah! I hate Hersheys chocolate! Cadbury is much better! 

Yeah! I hate Hersheys chocolate! Cadbury is much better!

Not for long!!!!!!! the Yanks bought it 3 yrs ago closed 2 factory's they promised to keep open in uk.If you want to know what Cadbury will taste like in the future go try a creme egg sold in usa with different colour wrappin to uk version it is just like sweet sugar no choc taste yuck!!!



http://swns.com/kraft-to-sell-cadbury-factory-for-50-million-221318.html 

Whenever I smell Hershey's chocolate I'm reminded of dog poop. True story.

Now Kinder, on the other hand... ohhhhhhhhhh yeah. 

Happy Hippos are where it's at!!!! I also like Galaxy chocolate better than Cadbury. 

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo Galaxy chocolate will never wear the crown!!! Lol!! (again a very soapy taste)
Green & Blacks plain chocolate, now thats what I'm talking about!!! 

Happy Hippos

I have a horrible addiction to nutella now due to those hippos. We love those things!

Kinder IS awesome. I remember a good friend of mine brought me some of the Kinder chocolates they used to sell that had the eggs inside of them....the ones with toys in them. Talk about AWESOME! Yeah, Kinder rules. Alles fur Kinder Schoklade! 

try a creme egg sold in usa

Honestly....they used to taste MUCH better when I was a kid. Things have just gotten cheap as time goes on. Cadbury and Hershey's used to be much better. 

They still sell those eggs Union Jack!! They are at Sainburys and super cheap for a 3 pack. My daughter's ultimate fave thing in the world! 

We buy Kinder Eggs all the time. They are a special treat for the kids. Great for stockings and Easter baskets. 

Sainsburys has Cadburys creme eggs on offer 6 for £1.57 (too sickly for me but hubby loves 'em!) Tell them 'Taloolah' sent you!! Lol!