Pets are not possessions

I've been involved with many pet shelters over the years and it is just horrifying how people treat pets.  They are not "things" - they are thinking, loving, living beings who deserve every bit of love and attention that a child does.  Pets are not an impuse buy.  If you make the decision to take in a shelter (or any) pet - which I belive that everyone should do - you need to understand that you are taking on a major responsibility.  They are not perfect - and neither are we.  Try to work with them, understand them, give them love.  See them as a being that is just as deserving of love and understanding as you are.  But don't get a pet unless you are willing to put their needs above yours sometimes.  Because that's what love is.  And it translates to the human world as well.  If you think that pets are disposable things, then other people will treat you accordingly.