I believe that different things make everyone happy, and I'm cool with that. Everyone has his or her own personality, and while I may not understand why some people like some things (The Jonas Brothers, for example), as long as they're not hurting anyone, I respect their right to be who they are.

But something that makes me absolutely see red is irresponsible pet owners.

For God's sake, if you're going to own an animal, take care of it! I have never been able to fathom people who get a puppy and chain it up outside, where no one ever pays attention to it. Why in the world would you take that animal if you were never going to interact with it?

Dogs, cats and other domesticated animals often die of starvation or freeze to death. To me, this is something that should simply never happen if the animal is actually owned by a family. Strays, yes. It's sad, but it happens. But there is just no excuse for an animal to wither away or freeze in the backyard of what is supposed to be its home.

If you're not going to love a pet, why wouldn't you take it to a shelter or try to give it away? Given, you may end up taking the animal to a shelter that euthanizes, but given the choice, I'd rather die by lethal injection than suffer through starvation or freezing.

Wouldn't you?

Also, I can't understand why people don't spay and neuter their pets. My dogs are indoor animals, but I know they could take off any time, so they're fixed. I don't want Bella to have puppies and I don't want Bruiser to make any. I got my cat, Gemini, fixed before he was a year old because he likes to prowl about, and although he generally stays right in our yard I know he could wander off, and I don't want him contributing to the feral cat problem.

Here's the thing: Before you get a pet, THINK. Think long and hard. If you're not willing or able to make that animal an actual part of your household; if you won't love it and take care of it the way it should be loved and taken care of, don't bring it into your home.

This is a case where not doing anything at all can make you a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Sure, it feels great to adopt a pet. But know what you're getting into before you do it.