I have a friend, not a close friend, but someone I've known for a while and a nice person. Sometimes she grates on my nerves a little, so I do limit my contact. Well, I found out something today that's really been bugging me... and I'm beginning to think I might be overreacting. My friend has no children so her little cockapoo is like her "child." Being a pet lover, I understand this and it is not the problem.
When I ran into my friend while on a walk today, I noticed her pooch had on a cute little jacket. I commented that I had bought my cat TC, a cheap little "tu-tu" for her to wear in the Halloween photos I sent to some friends at my former workplace. These friends were instrumental in me adopting TC last December. The outfit cost $3.99 at Ross.... my friends loved the pix and strangely enough, TC loved wearing the tu-tu. It was all in fun.
Well, my friend proceeded to tell me in no uncertain terms that she would NEVER buy cheap clothes for her little "Fifi" (not the pooch's real name). In fact, all of Fifi's clothes are Louis Dog Products from
My cat sleeps wherever she pleases, as cats are known to do, although she has a little carpet-covered drum I spent $49 on. It saves the furniture because she scratches her nails on it and I also stow all her toys in it. And I thought I had splurged on that. While I will not hesitate to spend on quality food and vet care, I draw the line on designer clothes.
So why is this bugging me? It's not that my friend can't afford it. She is wealthy, although she does not support any charitable causes by her own admission. Once when I was trying to get her to support Kiva, she told me she "doesn't trust" that her donations would actually be used as intended. I just feel that with so many people who are struggling, here is Fifi in her designer duds, living larger than the common man. I could buy 4 or 5 jackets for needy kids with the money spent on one of Fifi's sweaters. IMHO, there is something wrong with this picture. Or am I overreacting?
December 4th, 2008 at 11:49 pm 1228434549
December 4th, 2008 at 11:49 pm 1228434597
December 5th, 2008 at 12:42 am 1228437760
December 5th, 2008 at 12:51 am 1228438304
But is it the fact that is bothering you is that she is rubbing it into your face implying that you were cheap on your cat's tutu? That would bother me too!
December 5th, 2008 at 01:09 am 1228439374
After reflecting, I think what's at the heart of my irritation is that I can think of so many better ways to put money to use... like maybe helping people instead of buying expensive clothes for a pet.
But, you're right about people having different priorities. This neighbor is not a bad person; she just wants to spoil her little pet and can afford it.
December 5th, 2008 at 02:04 am 1228442682
December 8th, 2008 at 04:25 am 1228710347
I liked some comedian who said that people who insist on dressing their dogs up as humans should be forced in turn to drink from the toilet.
May 18th, 2009 at 05:58 pm 1242669522
Most of our inventory is reasonably priced and suits all pet's needs. We try not to carry items that are sold in a Pet's Smart, which is what makes our site fun for our customers. We have MANY thing on our site that are $10 and under $20 and under. On our home page alone, 6 of the 8 products shown are all under $13.00. I'd love for you to look around the site (and not the LD products) and then let me know what you think. In the mean time, I'd love to send TC a "peace offering" from Fur My Pet. Please email me directly at info@furmypet.com
Thanks Analise!
Julie Sterk
Fur My Pet
www.furmypet.com
November 15th, 2011 at 07:41 pm 1321386092
I see this post as addressing two separate issues. One is that your friend spends money in a way that differs from your own personal values. I can see why that would be perceived as wasteful if your feeling was the money would have been more wisely spent had it been donated to a cause.
The other is the purchase itself. From an economic standpoint, I don't see this product's economic model as being any different from what occurs in say, the purchase of a lawnmower. The store made a profit on the transaction, as did the distributor, the manufacturer, and the raw materials suppliers. Employees for all benefited from the transactions as well via their jobs remaining relevant. Whether they make luxury pet clothing or gardening equipment doesn't really change the profit margins involved.
(BTW - the post above probably came as a bit of a shock. Most people are not aware that companies can easily search the internet for any references to their company being posted publically, via blogs or otherwise. Post with the assumption of no privacy and all should remain well.)