VIDEO: A man tried to buy people's dogs for $100k

[procne]

I've lived with an owned pets since I was born. Many at a time. I've worked in vet clinics, and my g/f has been a vet tech for 10+ years. I still wouldn't have a problem with selling a dog for $100,000. Sure, i'd be sad to see them leave. But i'd get over it. Just like I get over any pet who passes away. But that is just me.

Yes, I agree, but you asked what is the difference and it's just that - feelings.

In fact, I have a breeder in the family and I often helped with that too. I had a dog (and many other pets) as well. The difference between my dog and puppies bred for sale was just that - feelings. I was attached to my dog and not to the puppies. Feelings and the bond is what elevates the animal into friend.

Feelings cannot be bought. Would I sell my dog? Probably not. I could get a new dog, but it wouldn't be the same. Well, we're humans, not machines. We can't calculate the value of everything in $$.

Obviously, you can't have everything and sometimes you have to make a decision and give something up. Fortunatelly I don't have money problems so I think my dog would be more precious to me than monies.

[Docturphil]

The amount of attachment is more important than the species. Many people are more attached to their pets than they are to any people.

Yes, that's true. Some people are more attached to animals. They shouldn't be though. That's just unhealthy and kind of sad.

But I would disagree that the amount of attachment is more important. Despite your personal feelings, the life of your average human being is far more important than the life of any dog.

[Kathandira]

Just means you're super practical over being super emotionally involved. Nothing really wrong with either.

I'm the overly emotionally involved, because I regard them the same as family.

That is much more realistic.

I've seen the worst that animals can go through. I've had to hand feed sick babies, clean up after puppies with parvo. Help dig softball sized tumors out of the chest of a Boxer. I have tons of love and compassion for animals.

Currently, our senior bunny has to get her teeth shaved every 3 months so she can continue eating. That is a $300 doctors visit every 3 months for as long as we can keep her alive. (She is 10). We have two parakeets, and a 12 year old Hermit crab at the moment. We take care of our pets better than some parents that I know take care of their kids.

But if I have to weigh finances vs pets, finances will win in this case.

If money was no issue in my life, I wouldn't take the offer. But If I can clear out both my g/f's and my debts in 1 fell swoop, I would easily take this offer.

And likely take the remaining money to buy a new pets, and hook them up with the best damn living environment I could.

[Docturphil]

Of course it is unique. Because it's mine. Because there are feelings attached to it. It's a family member. All my family members are unique to me, even if there are millions people like them.

Yes, exactly. It's your personal feelings which create that uniqueness. It isn't so much the dog actually being unique. Although technically it is likely to be genetically unique. But I bet I could find you another dog that you could probably mistake for your own dog.

[Dangg]

Dog and cat owner here. I call it really stupid and irrational, not lovely.

[Kuja]

It's like selling a family member o.O Glad to see that not many would do it.

[Docturphil]

You don't love dogs just like anyone else. You don't do, or even consider, such thing on someone you love. Be it an animal or a person.

OK, fine. Maybe I don't love dogs as much as some people.

But I am empathetic enough to understand people's feelings towards their pet and why they would never sell their pet. It's just not the same decision I would make.

[schwarzkopf]

Yep - I'd sell my dog for $100k in a heartbeat, if I had one - because then I could afford to buy a house and ... have a dog.

[Puupi]

Yes, that's true. Some people are more attached to animals. They shouldn't be though. That's just unhealthy and kind of sad.

How is it unhealthy and sad?

But I would disagree that the amount of attachment is more important. Despite your personal feelings, the life of your average human being is far more important than the life of any dog.

Far more important? To whom? To me? Nope.

[schwarzkopf]

Dog and cat owner here. I call it really stupid and irrational, not lovely.

Not sure why - if you are struggling for money, $100k is a damn good price to get for an animal. If you value an animal's life over your kids or your own life... something screwy upstairs.

[telygroar]

Probably sell it for 100k. Even if i love it, i love my family much more, and 100k would be a great help.

[schwarzkopf]

Far more important? To whom? To me? Nope.

To all sane human beings...

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Probably sell it for 100k. Even if i love it, i love my family much more, and 100k would be a great help.

See ^^ rational human response. It is a matter of scale, you can love your dog more than your car for example, but still love your family more than your dog.

[Puupi]

To all sane human beings...

Why should I care about some random Marvin in Africa?

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See ^^ rational human response. It is a matter of scale, you can love your dog more than your car for example, but still love your family more than your dog.

Not everyone loves their family more than their dog. Some people don't love their family at all.

[Docturphil]

because my dog is like my family, and only inhuman monsters sell family.

If you consider your dog part of your family, fine. I understand.

But I would never place that much value on a dog. I would include my dog in family pictures. I would take my dog on vacations with me. I would pay for surgery to keep my dog alive (if they weren't already super old). But I would never consider a dog part of my family in the same way I would consider a blood born child of mine family.

[Cosmic Janitor]

You could knock off a zero and I'd still sell it. But I also don't own pets as a replacement for kids.

[Dangg]

How's that different from eg. a child?

You're right it's just like a human child.

Except it can't communicate with you, it isn't your species, you didn't create it, it isn't your genetic successor, it isn't equal to a human by law, you can get a new one at a shop anytime, it has 1/8 of the life expectancy, it doesn't really 'love' you and acts on instinct.

But other than that it's exactly the same.

[Puupi]

But I would never consider a dog part of my family in the same way I would consider a blood born child of mine family.

Me neither. But I would consider a dog as much family as an adopted child.

[Docturphil]

How is it unhealthy and sad?

It's a pretty good indicator of loneliness and a disconnect from humanity in general.

Not saying it's a bad thing to love a pet. On the contrary, that's a wonderful thing. But I don't think it's a good thing when people place more value on an animal than a human.

Example:

[kasuke06]

If you consider your dog part of your family, fine. I understand.

But I would never place that much value on a dog. I would include my dog in family pictures. I would take my dog on vacations with me. I would pay for surgery to keep my dog alive (if they weren't already super old). But I would never consider a dog part of my family in the same way I would consider a blood born child of mine family.

The dog's a better person than most of my family.

[Puupi]

You're right it's just like a human child.

Yes, I am.

Except it can't communicate with you,

Dogs can communicate with you, in fact a lot more than a toddler.

it isn't your species,

True.

you didn't create it, it isn't your genetic successor,

So isn't an adopted child or my sister's child.

it isn't equal to a human by law,

True, but I don't let law dictate who and what I can love.

it has 1/8 of the life expectancy,

So do some people. Should you love a sick child less?

it doesn't really 'love' you

Dogs get very attached to their owners.

and acts on instinct.

So do humans.