Our Dr. Marty Becker on ‘Good Morning America’ this morning
By Gina Spadafori
March 19, 2008
I’ll link to the video when it’s up, but for now, Here’s the story that goes with Dr. Becker’s “GMA” appearance. About now, he should be in the studios of “The Martha Stewart Show,” taping two segments for later. Dr. Becker’s doing more media today, too, but I just can’t keep up with it all!
The “GMA” piece was based on our top picks from Global Pet Expo. And predicatably, there are people complaining in the comments about other people spending money on pets “when there’s so much wrong in the world.” I always wonder about these people … do they have a nicer house than they need? A nicer car? Nicer clothes? Hmmmm … if they’re not going to sell all that and start donating it all to the poor, then they really ought to keep their noses out other people’s lives.
Sheesh. Wouldn’t it be nice if people could just mind what they’re doing with their own lives, instead of paying so much attention condemning others?
Update: The video is up on the “Good Morning America” Web site. Click here or on the picture to see it.
Grrrr….people who are always making those types of comparisons drive me crazy. Hey, you earn the money, you get to decide how it gets spent.
Nobody ever criticizes someone for owning a nice car. Now I’m not talking about a luxury car - but last time I looked a better than basic car will set you back close to $25k.
But - you spend $100 bucks on a cat tree and whoa!!! you are the cause of global warming, the crisis in Darfur, and halitosis.
And here’s a little math problem for all those value shoppers out there. I take public transportation. It runs $60/month. If I don’t spend $25k on a car, how many $100 cat trees can I buy at the end of 5 years with the savings I accrue. Bonus points given for anyone who can figure out how many cans of $1.50 cat food I can buy.
That way I’ll know when someone can legitimately tell me that I’m spending too much money on my cats.
Comment by 2CatMom — March 19, 2008 @ 10:33 am
I once had that point ($ spent on dogs not starving people etc) raised at a party by a person who, I kid you not, was wearing huge dangling diamond earrings. I replied that I thought spending my money making a sentient being happy was better than buying jewellry. Her husband found that hilarious and raised the point that he was sentient too, albeit perhaps not as sentient as my border collie—and she agreed with that. Nought so queer as folk, as they say.
Comment by emily — March 19, 2008 @ 11:03 am
“Sheesh. Wouldn’t it be nice if people could just mind what they’re doing with their own lives, instead of paying so much attention condemning others?”
That’s the basis of libertarian philosophy. Leave me alone, I’ll leave you alone. I don’t think we really disagree on 99% of everything, I just think that I apply this logic a little more often than you do.
The frivolity of the well off helps make the world go round, and yes, I value my pets more than starving children. And I don’t think that’s cruel or unusual. I’d also venture to guess that owning a pet is more “green” than having a child.
And the world is a wonderful, wonderful place. There is more right with our little planet than there ever has been and things get better every day. It’s an excellent time to be alive.
Comment by Christopher — March 19, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
OK, Christopher, you win: 97 percent. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 19, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
I have been accused of treating my cats better than my husband. Sheesh. The fact is, he can take care of himself but the cats cannot.
Criticize me, but it won’t bother me.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — March 19, 2008 @ 6:33 pm