The Shelter

2 dogs and a cat we rescued. 1 of the dogs was not from the shelter but she was rescued just the same. We went to the shelter with the purpose of finding our first dog. Alex was almost 2 and we felt a pet would be a good thing. We were right. Soon after, we were back looking for a cat. We live in a forest and between the voles outside and the mice inside, a cat would be useful and I am partial to cats.
Many people don't realize the actual expense of an addition. Vet bills and food on an annual basis add up quickly. We were proactive on limiting our expenses by getting our animals fixed. We weren't against reproduction, we knew we would have to foot the bill for the puppies or kittens as well. Limited income was an issue.
A year went by and our neighbor's 2 female dogs had puppies. 17 to be exact. We took one off his hands. It was all we could afford.  We had just started raising chickens and had the need for a playmate for our first dog. And she, too, went to the vet.
Accepting responsibility for another life is a serious decision.

The 18. 17 pups-1+2 moms. 18. Right next door. No chains. No supervision. No fence.
I put up a fence to keep them off the porch and eating my dogs' food and to protect my cat and chickens. Not to mention the damage they did running through the garden and all of our food. Since the neighbor wasn't concerned, I had to be.
I did discover that my dogs were better with the voles than the cat, who did do a good job with keeping the house free from mice.
We love our pets. We chose them, accepted responsibility for them, and they are a part of our family. The chickens were too.

The 8. Some of you who listen to the show remember my roo being sick and I nursed him back to health. 2 hens weren't so lucky. I caught the illness too late. But we still had 5 and a roo. Good shape for providing eggs and meat for us. We hoped, anyway.

18 vs. 6

My roo was the first one I found that afternoon. 2 hens near the fence and a 3rd 50 yards off property surrounded by 4 of the 18. How it happened, not 100% sure. What I do know is that I chose to raise 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 8 birds. I accepted responsibility for their welfare and care. I fed them. Watched over them. Nurtured and nursed. On the other side of the line, no one cared. And soon, what was not mine, came to take what was.

Legal vs. Illegal immigration, simplified. Do you get it yet?