I am 100% guilty. I own not one, but two Goldendoodles from breeders. Goldendoodles are currently one of many dogs with the title of designer dogs (that come with a hefty price tag).
An innocent trip to the dog park can go awry with just one judgemental person in the crowd. This person immediately picks you out as a target. They can’t wait to ask you where your dog is from just so you’ll ask them (politely I might add) where their pup is from. They are over-elated to tell you their pup from the humane society.
So quickly they have elevated themselves to elite status as if they are the Dali Llama because they have a rescue dog. I think it’s awesome that people can rescue a pup. In fact, I would do the same if it wasn’t for my terrible allergies. These same individuals then start talking about how much money I wasted and how I encourage backyard breeding by having a designer dog.
It’s at this very moment I’ve reached the precipice of my tolerance. This is the moment I commit to a disagreement that I have never lost. I ask, “do you have children?”
The response is always the same. It’s a version of yes with some details about how many, boys or girls, their ages and talents. They are so proud of their offspring that they didn’t see the setup coming their way.
So when I ask them, “Are they adopted?” they always say of course not, we wanted our own children. “Oh, so you didn’t rescue a child?”
I then explain how I have fostered children and adopted a child. How children have many allergies and it’s best to have a dog of breeding standard for the children’s health as well. I tell them about how many children have become wards of the state for no fault of their own, and how sad it is that people want their “own” children instead of helping rescue children that just need a family and love.
Why I have the dogs I have is a choice. Why I have the child I have was also a choice. One guarantees the health and security of a child that’s never known a consistent love from anyone.
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Photo by Nathan Hanna on Unsplash