It's sad to realize that your current and past dog has received more love and attention than many children receive. Around-the-clock TLC, three meals a day, treats, several toys, medical care, and more.
When Bowser passed away -- I began thinking a lot about how or why in the world I was grieving so badly over a dog. And so I learned quickly that the love for an animal can be incredibly strong. And in some ways, too strong. I'm a firm believer in tending to and caring for animals -- after-all, they're the handiworks of our Creator. What I've realized through my own mourning over Bowser and observing all around me though -- is that our affection toward animals can get in the way of prioritizing the people around us. Perhaps we don't have a problem prioritizing our families, but the stranger at the cash register. The orphan needing sponsorship in order to go to school. The neighbor going through cancer and doesn't know how they'll pay the next month's mortgage. While we should take care of and respect animals -- they're not people.
The average dog owner, according to one stat, will spend *at least* over 4,000.00 on their dog over a 14-year span; 12,000.00 more realistically, and some people spend upwards to 40,000.00 on their dog during the 14 year span. That sounds unbelievable, but if you've paid attention -- the pet aisles in stores have changed, and we even have a "dog bakery" up the road from us with fancy-intricately-decorated treats that even make *my* mouth water (and yes -- they cost as much or more than "human" treats); not to mention those expensive dog boutiques you can usually find in the mall or downtown city areas. And I would say the 4,000.00 for 14 years is an extremely conservatively low number. One hefty-emergency or surgery-related vet-bill can easily hit that number.
So, how much is even 4,000.00 worth? That's enough to build a school in some areas of Africa. 4,000 can provide a life-saving surgery for an orphan in Uganda or China. Or *two* life-changing surgeries. 4,000 can provide a 1/3 of the funds for a water-well for an entire thirsting Sudan community. And it's enough to provide food for a family in a war-and-poverty-stricken-country for a long-long time.
The Humane Society collected $509,000,000 in two years. 509 million buckaroos. There are approximately 146 million orphans worldwide. 101k children are waiting to find their forever families in the US foster system. Many of those -- due to poverty and lacking a number of resources and familial structure and support will end up in prison, prostitution, you name it -- after they leave the foster system. I'll say it again, 5-0-9-million-dollars-goes-towards-animals-in-two-years. Think about it -- if even one million was spent on each and every orphan around the world, including foster kids, there'd still be half of that 509 million left. Let that sink in. Don't get me wrong -- Humane Society certainly has a place. But a 509-million-in-two-years place? When you really begin to compare the people-suffering all around us, I'm just not sure.
While I love and respect dogs or other pets and believe they deserve TLC -- even a million dogs can't equate the value of just *one* tiny-beautiful-intelligently-designed-unborn baby. A million dogs does not equate the value of *any* person -- no matter the size, age, color, or background. 509 million? That doesn't even come close to covering the value of any one person. I think, even for non-pet-lovers, that's hard to wrap our heads around, even though we know it's truth.
While it's common truth -- it still pains to know that while all these dogs are receiving incredible love and care, so many children here and abroad are receiving anything but. I'll continue giving our lil rascal the care he needs -- but with that said, I need to keep my head on straight, and keep people prioritized. If I'm investing a lot more time and money into my dog versus the people around me, then I've got to rethink my priorities.
After-all, Jesus was more a people-person, not as much a dog-person.
I've never been so much a "people person." Sure, I love people. But it's not in my nature to *love* going to big gatherings and getting to know tons of people, for example. I'm a bit more introverted. And so for me, it'd totally be easy to be someone who stays home with her dog and family and push out all other cares of the world outside my four walls. I've recently truly internalized the fact that God was a people person though. After-all, He sent His only son to die for *people.* Jesus? Certainly a people person. He went out of his way to tend to *people,* and ultimately, sacrificed His own life for *people.* So -- most simply put, I want to see people through my Heavenly Father's eyes. I want to see their incredible worth. I mourned so much over Bowser in comparison to even other people I've known's deaths. You read that right, unfortunately. I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that -- and that's what hit me hard -- realizing that our priorities with animals can be a bit messed up. 509-million-in-two-years messed up.
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
