Humans & Pets: Is the love too much?

Today, when I was reading a magazine I came across a very interesting article called, “I divorced by husband to be with my pet.” As crazy as it sounds, it was a true story about a woman who had a German Shepherd and when her husband wanted to sell it; she divorced him. His reasoning was logical. Since the recession, the couple was having a hard time providing food for themselves and for the dog. So, one day the husband thought it would be a good idea to give the dog to their family friend, who they’ve knew for years. His wife on the other hand completely disagreed. What is even more interesting is that, the couple was married for 5 years, and they just got the dog 4 months ago. It was sad knowing that the wife chose her dog of 4 months, over her husband of 5 years. After reading this, I started to realize that most Americans value pets a lot more than many other cultures around the world. Many societies don’t own pets, and even if they do, it is usually a dog. As Americans on the other hand, we own MANY various types of pets. We range from simple household animals such as dogs to owning birds, mice and even snakes! When I first came to America in 2003, I had to leave my dog behind, and it was a heartbreaking time for me. After getting an opportunity to go over a friend’s house, I was excited since not only was she was my first friend, but also because I knew she had many pets. Therefore, when my friend invited me over to her house to play with her “pets,” I naturally expected her to have two dogs and not what I saw! She had three parakeets, eight fishes, two dogs, one bunny, and a cat. I thought I was in a very different world! I never saw anyone having bunnies, fishes, parakeets, and especially cats when I was in India! (Mainly cats, because cats were known to be “bad luck” or “evil” in the Indian culture). After seeing all the various types of pets, I started to realize how much the American culture values animals! They treat them as their own family whereas most pets in other countries are treated more as a responsibility then as family! I mean we even have their personal beds, clothing, and hospitals for them.


However, even though we treat animals with such care, I also feel as things sometimes get a bit out of hand...

Read this quote for example:

In the United States, 63 percent of households include a pet (up 7 percent since 1988), and pet lovers spent $38.5 billion on their pets in 2006 (up from $21 billion a decade earlier). Americans now spend several billion dollars more on dog and cat food than they do on baby food.

In San Francisco, pet owners – "pet guardians" according to city ordinance – outnumber children nearly 2 to 1


Wow! I mean having pets isn’t a bad thing! I love animals, but sometimes I wonder if things are getting out of hand. Sure pets can be a good thing, their used as aid for the blind, therapy for the lonely, and even as company for elders. I also think things are getting chaotic when pets start to outnumber children, when married couples split up because of their pet. In addition, when people spend more money on pet supplies then they do on their needs.

For example: In 2006, her family pet, a golden retriever, accidentally strangled a 6-year-old girl to death because her family didn’t see the dog as a threat than it really was.

Sometimes, I feel as if we love our pets so much, that we don’t see the hidden dangers that lay around them.

Am I saying that having pets is bad? No, of course not! I love pets! Although, I am saying that we have to look at the statistics once in a while, and think if we are going a little overboard when we start having to choose between pets over humans.

Arranged Marriage...or Love Marriage?

* No bias or offense intended*

Today, My mom and I were watching an Indian movie where the actors fell “in love”, and were experiencing some problems with their family. We were happily watching the movie until my sister said one thing, “ Those parents are so mean, why don't they just leave them alone. Stupid arranged marriages”. When she said that one sentence, I knew things were going to go chaotic. My mom turned to her and gave her a 2 hour lecture about how love marriage is stupid and how arranged marriages are more traditional. Well, first of all, let me make my opinion a little clearer. What I say is that, in today's world in India, more people are getting love married, and even though I think they should have their right to marry whoever they want, I don’t think they should get carried away.

Look at this dictionary definition of ARRANGED MARRIAGES:

Arranged marriage starts from a fundamentally evil premise - that any parent or relative has the moral and legal right to force someone to marry against his or will, or to prevent him or her from marrying for love.

Oh come on, what century are you living in? Its totally not like that. In these days, when the guy/girl tells their parents that they are ready to get married and are willing to think about arranged marriages is when its called, “ arranged marriage”. The guy and the girl get to chose and are NOT forced to marry some random guy that they met 3 days ago.

I believe, that today, in India, an arranged marriage probably has a greater chance of being successful than a love marriage, and there are statistics to prove this. In India there is a lower divorce rate then there is in the USA. It might be because America is unrestricted and the women here are more free to do whatever they want but it wasn’t until I came to the US did I ever hear the word “divorce”, and when I heard of it, I was pretty surprised. Not only that, but divorce is also a Taboo in Indian culture. What every Indian women says is that no matter what happens, you can not leave your husband, or your family.

Unless it is one of those SUPER RARE cases, where the guy and the girl are super educated, and their families have a great reputation, are arranged marriages approved. (Education is the only loop hole any lovers in India can find. Unless both of them are amazingly educated, and their families have a good reputation is there any chance of their marriage being approved by their families).


In India, its all about reputation. That is one of the main reasons why Indian families are so strict. They care about their reputation. That’s why love marriages are such a taboo in India, its because of the gossips that spread from it. Not only does it spread gossip, but it also affects the guy/girl's chance of finding a good person to be arranged with. Arranged marriages have become such a big part of Indian lives that there are even websites that are based on it too. The websites are intended to help you find your “groom” or “bride” depending on what your preferences are. I am not saying that I am against arranged marriages, but I am not agreeing with it either. So I usually let the person decide on what their opinion on arrange marriages are, and that is the main reason why I did this blog. It is to clear up the confusion that many people have on this controversial subject of "arranged marriage".

My Not so Great Weekend.

When people ask “How your weekend was?”, they usually expect a normal response like: “It was okay”, but when people started to ask me, I really don't think they expected my answer. On Saturday, exactly at 4:00 pm my house caught on fire. How? Well, let me just say, I have not so bright neighbors who decided to leave their stove on and walk out. So let me just tell you how it all started. I was home alone and in my bedroom watching a movie, when I smelled something burning. I looked out of my bedroom balcony (which by the way was on the 3rd story) and saw smoke coming out of my neighbors window. At first I thought they burnt some food and what not, but later the smell got worse. After 10 mins or so, I was on my way to neighbors to check if everything was alright, and just when I opened my bedroom door, it was all smoke. I live in a town house, so in a way my neighbors’ house and mine are connected. It was pitch black and the smoke had already engulfed my house. I ran back inside my bedroom and into the balcony . People started to scream and the firefighters came. I tried to find my phone which I later remembered was left downstairs on the kitchen table. Some people even suggested for me to jump! I mean did they think I was Spider man or something?! I was on the 3rd story and jumping from it would defiantly mean that I was going to break more then one bone . Just as I thought all hope was lost, a firefighter came and told me to get on the ladder he was putting up. I first hesitated, I mean your expecting a person who is scared of heights, to climb over her balcony fence and onto a ladder that seems not trust worthy to hold my weight? I don't think so. But in the end I didn't have a choice. So I somehow made my way down the ladder and back to safety. Luckily after 2 hours of standing in the cold with nothing but pajamas and no shoes on, everything was over and no one was hurt. But the worst part was yet to com. The most terrorizing part of the whole experience was not the fire but it was explaining to my parents what happened to our house when they came home from work. A few minutes later after everyone left, my parents finally came home or what WAS their home to be welcomed by a beautiful mess. Luckily, my house wasn't damaged as much I thought it would be, and only a part of the ceiling broke off but even after explaining , I really don't think my parents are ever going to leave me home alone......ever, even though it was not my fault! So how does this all relate to culture ? As, Mrs.Lober said, culture is all around us. Later that night, I started to think about India and what would happen if this fire occurred there. The firefighters probably would have come after the whole thing was over or even if they came at the peak of fire, it would have taken them hours to put it out. I started to realize how much the American culture values safety of the people, and time. They get things done fast and don't waste any precious time. They also value the peoples life and make sure that no one is hurt.

September 11, 2011 -- The 10th Anniversary of 9-11 - We Will Never Forget

We Remember - 9/11 --- Anonymous

Tears fell down my cheeks,

As I watched the people run,

Disappearing into the smoke,

Screams ringing in my ears.

The thoughts ran through my head,

But I couldn't gather anything,

I stood there as innocent people died,

Gave their life for something that wasn't true.

Paper and debris dancing in the wind,

Bloody faces came from the rubble,

Filled with horror and sadness,

Tears still fell.

Children clung to their mothers legs,

Asking why God let this happen,

Unable to answer they just held onto their children,

Praying quietly for the ones in the mess.

Sirens echoed over the screams,

It seemed like the people where moving in slow motion,

As I stood there and watched,

Keeping silent.

A man fell to his knees and called out to God,

Asking him to save him,

Did God answer?

Many of us won't know.

Many watched in horror as the towers fell,

Some in there homes as they started their day,

Not thinking that morning would be the beginning of hurt and war,

The beginning of a time of grief and despair. 

Children in schools all across the country listened in horror,

Scared and unsure of what to do,

Grasping onto their friends in fear,

Thinking this was the end.

Year after year we stand in silence on that day,

That changed our lives and our country forever,

Remembering the horrific sight of something great fall,

Those towers were more than just skyscrapers,

They were the meaning of this country.

Together we rise.

Together we fall.

Today is September 11, 2011, even though it is a decade later, the imprint of the event never left our hearts. Together we stand here today, not as an individual but as a nation which strongly marches forward. We cry as we remember about what changed our lives. That one event that changed our culture and community into making us truly appreciate our loved ones, freedom and security more than ever. Since this event, we all came together and became one. We taught ourselves to appreciate those who risk their lives everyone for us in battles, fires, and wars. And to those who died in the horrid tragedy, to the people that died in the Pentagon, to the brave people who ran inside the towers, and to the children that were orphaned because of this, let God watch over us and keep us safe from harm, and let him give us the strength and courage to stand as a nation, as a family and as one.