Dubai: Gulf News readers will do "pretty much anything" to keep their pets.
They were reacting to a recent study from New Zealand that said pets are twice as damaging to the environment as a four-wheel drive.
Zeus Azusa Shiraki, an Abu Dhabi-based Japanese expatriate, said that she would keep her elderly Labrador at all costs.
"This study is ridiculous! What about the amount of unnecessary junk food eaten by people every year? There's so much waste when it comes to human food, but dog food is hardly ever wasted, especially with my dog! But if it helps the environment, I'd be happy to switch from dog food to a rice-and-meat diet for my dog," she said.
Insensitivity
Jerry Selayro, another dog owner, was also willing to go to any lengths to keep Cache, his Japanese Spitz. While he refused to accept that his dog was more damaging to the environment than a car, he employs many green practices to balance out any damage Cache may be doing.
"Of course, my one plastic rule is applied anywhere I go, which means when I go to the supermarket, I only use one plastic bag. And when I go to parties, I am known as the ‘doggie-bag' person. I take waste bones and leftover food and give it to the dogs — someone else's waste, a dog's glory."
Humaira Faisal, a Dubai-based Pakistani expatriate, felt that the study was yet another sign of increasing materialism and insensitivity in society.
"I have two kittens and when I come home, they come to me and ask for their share of love, just like children. For pet owners, animals aren't objects, they become part of the family. I really wonder how people can compare them to cars, simply based on carbon footprint!"
Samantha Samuel, a proud owner of a dog and 22 fish, agreed. Her meals are coordinated with those of her pets, and she is used to the regular "big, sloppy kiss" from her dog, whenever she greets him.
"My daily schedule revolves around them and while some may find that awkward, they don't realise that a pet becomes more and more human as time passes."
She argued pets have been with people forever, and the problems started not with the pets, but right after machines made an entry.
"You could give unconditional love to your car. But only a dog would give that back to you. That's something to think about."
However, an online gulfnews.com poll on the same issue offered some interesting results — 47 per cent were willing to give up their pet to save the environment.
"We have to think about people first. If not having a pet means a better planet, so be it!" added Kamran Hussain, a Dubai-based reader.
In spotlight: Poll results
Research shows pets have a bigger carbon footprint than cars. If I had to choose, I would give up my:
- Pet - 47%
- Car - 18%
- Neither - 35%
Would you leave your pet to save the environment? What is your take on the results of the study?
