ipl-logo

The Last Meow

496 Words2 Pages

Animals have always been a huge part of my life as long as i can remember. I have had animals since i was a baby and still do. I care about my animals and do not mind spending money on them when absolutely needed. I feel as if they depend on us as their owners to help them and that is exactly what i do. In Burkhard Bilger’s article, “The Last Meow”, he expresses his opinion about how people spend too much money on their pets. Although I agree with Bilger up to a point, I cannot accept his overall conclusion, that we spend too much money on our pets. Although I disagree with much that Bilger says, I fully endorse his final conclusion that sometimes people become obsessive of there pets. Though animals may need medical attention, I do not agree that they need expensive pet beds or fancy designer clothes. When it comes to our pets, people sometimes feel a need to splurge. Love overpowers money because of the deep connection we have with our pets. For …show more content…

Studies show that feelings are not easily transferred when it comes to pets. As Shawn says about Lady, “It would be hard without Lady around.” My dog Roxy recently passed away. I have noticed that no dog will ever be able to fill the void in my heart from losing her. Everyday i think about her and miss her. Shawn Levering, Lady 's owner, would oppose my position. He would point out that if it was up to him he would not go through with spending all of the money to save Lady. On one hand I grant that Shawn Levering makes a good case, I still maintain that pets are worth spending the money on. They depend on you and need you to help them in need. In conclusion, I do not agree with Bilger’s idea that we spend too much money on our animals. If you care about your animal it should be your choice how much money you spend on them. All animals are unique and we form special bonds with them. As an owner is it your job to take care of them and help them when in

Show More
Related
547 Words | 3 Pages

For

Read More
248 Words | 1 Pages

In the op-ed piece “A Change of Heart about Animals”, Jeremy Rifkin emphasizes the similarities between humans and animals by providing results on scientific research studies to illustrate that humans should be more empathetic towards animals. In addition, he further explains how research results have changed the ways humans perceived animals and indicates solutions that were taken by other countries and organizations to help improve and protect animal rights. Rifkin provides examples that demonstrate animals have emotions, conceptual abilities, self awareness, and a sense of individualism just like humans. For example, Pigs crave for affection and get depressed easily when isolated, two birds Betty and Abel have tool making skills, Koko

Read More
438 Words | 2 Pages

“Our love affair with our pets has gotten out of control” (Bilger 10). Burkhard Bilger is the author of the literary non-fiction piece, “The Last Meow”, that was published in The New Yorker September 8, 2003. He explains the extent people are willing to go for their animals and pay any amount of money no matter how much it may cost. According to Bilger, pet owners spend about forty seven billion dollars a year on their pets, that ranges from food all the way to surgeries.

Read More
684 Words | 3 Pages

The overall argument of “The Pet Owner’s Burden” by Emilia Di Luca is: people humanize their pets to fill a void in their lives. Di Luca discusses that by humanizing one’s pet, they are satisfying their need for power and affection, and humanizing a pet only produces happiness for the human. Di Luca brings up two major points as to why people humanize their pets: for power or for companionship. Originally, a person domesticated their animals to aid in hunting and livestock. This domestication developed into household pets.

Read More
864 Words | 4 Pages

According to Jeremy Rifkin’s article, “A Change of Heart About Animals,” research has shown that animals are more similar to humans than originally believed. Through the many studies provided, Rifkin claims the need to provide better treatment towards animals. While animals deserve and could benefit from a more humane treatment than what is currently provided, they may not necessarily require a human-like lifestyle simply because of their similarities to humans.

Read More
591 Words | 3 Pages

The Last Meow Persuasive Essay Americans now are spending way too much money on their pets. In our society, people nowadays are going overboard on what they consider necessary for their animals. People are spending money in the thousands just for their pets to have a few more months of agony and pain. Some people even care more about their animals over their own family.

Read More
521 Words | 3 Pages

Pet owners say that they will take care of their pets no matter what. Bilger’s argument is that people’s love for their pets has gone too far. Although Bilger is incorrect because some people use the money to help their pets, he is primarily correct because people spend their money on stuff their pets don’t need and how some pets are forced to endure more than they have to. I concede that bilger is wrong because In “The Last Meow” the Leverings were willing to spend 15,000 dollars on their cat Lady to help her. Shawn Levering said “If Lady comes through this thing alive, I won’t think about it twice.”

Read More
714 Words | 3 Pages

The theory of animal welfare, as described in the quote, suggests that it is important to consider the suffering and well being of animals when making decisions, because it could impact them. These ideas encourage a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the connection of all living things, and can inform more ethical and sustainable approaches to our relationship with the

Read More
587 Words | 3 Pages

Choosing a cat or a dog as a pet is depending on personal preference or purpose. Both animals can become a good companion in human’s life. In an essay titled “Why Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs” Sean Curtis argues that cats are better pets than dogs because cats are low maintenance, quiet, and independent. He helps readers gain insights of a cat or a dog’s behaviors and habits, and bring awareness of their issues to a future cat or dog owner. This essay argues clearly with his points of view and successfully bring readers’ attention to dogs’ problems that a dog owner will meet and solve.

Read More
183 Words | 1 Pages

Ciara Hebert 016214300 M/W: 3:30-4:45 p.m. Why you should have a pet: Key points/Outline: 1) Reduces stress Increases happiness a. Pet is a healthy way to vent b. Pet doesn’t judge you c. When you pet an animal it reduces your cortisol hormone, the primary stress hormone 2) Betters your health a. Decreased heart disease risk b. Reduces blood pressure c. Decrease cholesterol 3) Teaches responsibility a. Nothing can teach more responsibility than keeping another being alive b. Have to feed, groom, walk, give water, maintain a clean habitat and play with the animal Sources: 1) Forbes: “Pet Owners may have Decreased Risk for Heart Disease” Glatter, R. (2013, May 11). Pet Owners May Have Lower Risk For Heart Disease.

Read More
731 Words | 3 Pages

Attention Getter: Imagine living on the streets, constantly looking for your next meal and never knowing the feeling of companionship. This is the life of stray animals. Credibility Statement: No one really knows how many stray animals roam the streets, but it is predicted that there are more than 70 million stray cats in the United States alone. Central Idea (Proposition): By adopting pets from the American Humane Society or other rescue shelters, we can reduce the amount of stray animals on the streets.

Read More
814 Words | 4 Pages

Imagine all the trouble of owning a puppy, owning a tiger is much worse. Imagine the expenses of that tiger and the dangers and hazards of owning that tiger. Do you really think it’s a good idea to get that tiger? No, it’s not. It’s a lot of work, and it’s also extremely dangerous.

Read More
773 Words | 4 Pages

There should not be zoos. Thousand of animals every year struggle with the same problem, being locked up. Although this may seem like a questionable argument, this is a major problem in this world and it needs to be fixed now. In this essay there should not be zoos because they make animals unhealthy, they treat animals badly, and animals are better off in the wild.

Read More
1737 Words | 7 Pages

Ownership of Wild and Exotic Animals “Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals "love" them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives, love them more,” (Teale). This quote shows that people who keep wild animals as pets do not realize that the native environment provides the wild animals with the necessities the animals cannot receive as a pet. Permits should not be given to people to own wild and exotic animals as pets because it is inhumane and dangerous.

Read More
851 Words | 4 Pages

Owning a dog can actually have a special impact in our lives. Firstly, my dogs have changed my life in a couple of ways because at first, I didn’t care about them, all I had in mind was

Read More

More about The Last Meow

Open Document