The survival gene is almost bred out of pet dogs so they could not survive if let go in the wilderness. Please check with your own state and they will tell you how many animals starve to death each year that are born in the wild. Second, comparing your own Dad to a dog is ridiculous. Your Dad can talk, get stuff for himself and has other needs only humans can give him. Third, you take an animal or child it is a committment. I agree, if you are a lousy human being, get rid of the dog or child. I take an animal, it is mine til it dies cause they never will run away. In return, my dog would die for me just to protect me. With a child, I would die for it to protect it. Both are lives to be cared for, dog child whatever. Both are helpless and needs to be trained and taught and cared for until they can do it for themselves. But a dog raised in our world would never make it in extreme heat or cold. If someone can give a dog away, then they are lacking something that makes them human. If they don't have the money to care for said animal, then it would be kind to give it to someone that would care for him/her. There are a few senior adults that would probably benefit from the same as their children can be cruel and cold and uncarring in their old age. And there are families out there that would be thrilled to have a grandma or grandpa. All living things get old/or crabby. It is a part of life and you learn to deal with it, animal or parent. So now that I have summed up the letters below, I sound as crazy as all of you. My animals are as important to me as children. I will feed or take care of strays as I feel it is my God given duty based on morals and being the right thing to do. I say if you can trade one dog for another , you are truly a lacking human being and don't deserve to have any animals. I would also take in a kid as I have done so all my life just to help families out in hard times. We are here for a reason, not to take up space.

This is just my opinion, but when you buy an animal you shouldn't buy one at all unless you realize that it is a committment to look after the health and welfare and provide a good environment for a living being. If you feel in your heart that you can't make that committment, it does not mean you are a bad person, but I think some people don't realize what they are getting into.

What!! That is awful. I wonder if people will ever realize that animals hurt on the inside just like humans. You are right, celebrities should set a better example.

okay how can you compare an animal to a human being who is dependent for you as a parent more than a dog is. sure a 'house' dog needs you to feed it and stuff like that, but all animals have natural ANIMAL instincts when they are just given away or let go into the wild cause an owner couldn't handle it anymore for whatever reason. and just because someone gives their dog to someone else does not make them a bad person. what if i were to give my dad away to a loving family who wanted one but couldnt' find one they liked and then brought in another one to take care of and possibly go to another loving home? would i be a bad person? and before i give my dog away to a loving family, if it is house broken, potter train, and listens well, is that such a bad thing to do to help a family?

I AGREE WITH YOU. WE DON'T GIVE OUR CHILDREN AWAY IF WE WANT A NEW ONE. I AM THE PROUD OWNER OF 4 BEAUTIFUL DOGS. 2 ROTTS AND 2 MIXED BREDS. I ALSO HAVE TWO CATS THAT I SAVED FROM BEING PUT DOWN JUST CUZ SOMEONE DID NOT WANT THEM. WE HAVE IN MY TOWN ALONE HUNDRED OF ANIMALS EACH WEEK THAT ARE PUT DOWN JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE DID NOT WANT THEM ANY MORE. HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO CRUEL. WE NOW HAVE A LADY THAT IS TRYING TO SAVE ALL THE ANIMALS THAT SHE CAN WITH A NO KILL SHELTER THAT SHE IS TRYING TO GET OFF THE GROUND. MORE PEOPLE IN HOLLYWOOD WITH THE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE SHOULD HAVE TO WORK IN A KILL SHELTER FOR A WEEK THEN SEE IF THEY WANT TO GIVE THEIR ANIMALS UP. WITH THEIR MONEY, THEY COULD HELP THOUSANDS OF ABUSED, ABANDONED AND NEGLICTED ANIMALS.