Pope Scolds Couples Who Choose Pets Over Kids

Expressing concern about global birthrates, Francis said such couples were acting in a selfish way that diminished humanity.

ROME — Pope Francis has not been reluctant to offer his views on polarizing subjects, but on Wednesday, he waded into an issue involving two subjects on which consensus is almost impossible to find.

Pets and kids.

Speaking on parenthood during a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Francis bemoaned the global decline in birthrates — what he described as a “demographic winter” — and was bluntly critical of couples who prefer to have pets rather than children.

People who have pets instead of children, the pope said, were being selfish, exhibiting a “denial of fatherhood or motherhood” that “diminishes us, it takes away our humanity.”

To read more on this story, click here: Pope Scolds Couples Who Choose Pets Over Kids

FOLLOW US!

Pets Are Becoming Subjects of Contention for Couples Undergoing Divorce - Pets Are Even Included in Prenuptial Arrangements, Also Known as "Pre-Pups."

Can you imagine being separated from your adorable, furry companion? Increasingly, pets are becoming subjects of contention for couples undergoing divorce. In some cases, pets are even included in prenuptial arrangements, also known as "pre-pups."

There are nearly 179 million cats and dogs living in U.S. homes, according to the Human Society of the United States. Pet ownership has surged over the years, and many Americans would rather go to court than leave a bad marriage even more alone.

"It's essential a couple that has a pet deal with these with issues because pets aren't treated in the same way under the laws," said attorney Ann-Margaret Carrozza.

Vicki Ziegler, star of Bravo cable network show "Untying the Knot" about divorce battles, wrote in her July 2 blog: "Conflicts over pets can be just as important to divorcing spouses as any issue when both spouses have developed a special connection to a furry friend that they love and care for day-in and day-out. This feeling can be even greater when the couple has no children and the animal has taken on the role of the couple's 'child'."

She adds that it is becoming increasingly popular for divorcing couples to set up visitation schedules for their pets and negotiating specific agreements on who will be responsible for vet visits, dog park exercise and more.

In late 2013, a landmark divorce case involving a lesbian couple in New York featured a heated pet custody battle.

Trisha Murray and Shannon Travis fought for custody over their two-year-old miniature dachshund Joey, which Murray had bought and given to Travis as a gift, the New York Post reported.

Murray had financially supported the puppy, but Travis argued that the pet belonged to her because she was the initial owner.

The judge in the case decided to set aside property claims, using instead a different "best for all concerned" standard established by the earlier Raymond v. Lachmann court case, which involved pet possession.

Murray's attorney Sherri Donovan said that the divorce case was one of the first to set aside a one-day hearing to gauge to dog's best interests.

The hearing gave a chance for both parties to address important questions regarding the dog's well-being and physical care.

"I think what it makes clear is that animals are not a piece of furniture," Donovan said. Pets are a beloved member of the family. The standard that was set in the case is a good one and I advocate for it."

The case set a precedent for future pet custody battles waged during divorces.

"It's a one-day hearing," Donovan said. "But it does take into account the concerns of all and it does help settle cases. Now there is a standard. Before this case there was no standard, people kept filing litigation."

Many married couples are beginning to take defensive measures to avoid any future litigation over pets. They choose to include stipulations involving pet visitation rights and primary custody as a separate class in their prenuptial agreements, Carrozza said.

"I think it's clear animal right and pets are important to the 21st century family," Donovan said.

FOLLOW US!

Who Gets The Pets In A Divorce? What You Need To Consider When Fighting Over Fido

You might think of your dog as your fur child, but the law would not agree.

“In the eyes of the law, they are really no different than the silverware, the cars, the home,” says Joyce Tischler, director of litigation for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

But in more and more American homes, splitting the pets could get pretty contentious.

Consider the numbers. Sixty-three percent — 71.1 million — of U.S. households own pets, according to the latest National Pet Owners Survey. The bulk of those animals are dogs — about 44 million. Americans are expected to spend about $41 billion on their pets this year, a $24 billion increase since 1994, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

Then throw in lifestyle and societal changes: more couples have fewer children than a generation or two ago and view their pets as their kids or companions, owners pay $2,000 for an orthopedist to reconstruct a dog’s knee; designers such as Isaac Mizrahi create pink trench coats and white tulle bridal dresses for the fashion-conscious canine whose owner shops at Target, and high-end pet stores sell rhinestone-studded dog collars, peanut butter biscotti instead of run-of-the-mill dog treats, and strollers for the walking-averse pampered pooch.

“When you put all of that together, it’s no wonder that we’re beginning to see an increasing number of custody battles involving companion animals,” Tischler says.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers conducted a poll of 1,500 members and nearly a quarter said they had noticed an increase in custody issues of pets. Judges have had to determine not only who gets the dog but whether one party has the right even to see the dog after the marriage breaks up.

To read more on this story, click here: Who Gets The Pets In A Divorce? What You Need To Consider When Fighting Over Fido

FOLLOW US!

In Place of Bouquets of Flowers, the Wedding Party Posed with Adorable Rescue Puppies

When planning a wedding, there's a lot that has to be arranged. The flowers, the venue, the dress, the food — and for one wedding that took place recently, the puppies.

Sarah Mallouk Crain works for Pitties Love Peace, a rescue organization in central Pennsylvania. She and her now husband, Matt Crain, are huge animal lovers and have three rescue dogs of their own, and often foster dogs waiting for their forever homes as well. When they decided to get married, it seemed only fitting that they should include their shared love of dogs on their big day. 

And so, in place of bouquets of flowers, the wedding party posed with adorable puppies.

Photographer Caroline Logan photographed the wedding party with six tiny rescue puppies, each with their own unique story.

"Having the puppies involved in the wedding brought so much additional joy to Matt and Sarah's day," Logan told The Dodo. "Though they weren't a part of the ceremony, they were involved in their portrait time."

Martha, Abigail, Dolley, Elizabeth and Louisa (named after the first few first ladies), are a litter of boxer-coonhound puppies who were rescued when they were just under a week old. They are now 8 weeks old and thriving in their loving foster homes, and absolutely loved posing with Crain's bridesmaids.

Biggie Smalls is a 9-week-old pit bull mix puppy rescued from the streets of Brooklyn, New York, and he was the lucky pup chosen to pose with the bride herself.

"The puppies of course caused the photos to be extra natural, candid, and carefree — exactly what I strive for in my work," Logan said. "The wedding party was loving all the puppy snuggles."

Even the groom and his groomsmen got to get in on the fun, and there was no shortage of smiles with the puppies around.

The puppies were all on their very best behavior for the wedding, and proved without a doubt that they were definitely a better choice than flowers. 

If you're interested in adopting one of the wedding puppies, you can fill out an application with Pitties Love Peace to get started.

FOLLOW US!

Woman from Bengaluru, India, Asked to Abandon Pet Dog for Arranged Marriage: Turned Down Proposal

Bengaluru, India – A woman turned into social media’s newest rage after she turned down a marriage proposal because the prospective groom had a disliking for dogs. 

Soon after Karishma Walia posted her final WhatsApp conversation with her suitor on Facebook, it went viral and created a buzz on social media. 

Originally from Bengaluru, Karishma currently works with Delloitte India in Gurgaon. 

“It was an arranged marriage set-up. This guy was good to talk to, well-to-do and pretty good looking, but when I told him that I wanted to bring my dog with me after marriage, he wasn't keen on it,” Karishma Walia was quoted by Times of India as saying. 

When Karishma told her suitor about her desire and love for her dog, he texted, “I dont’t want a dog to come in my love life and not share the same bed... That’s for sure... And my mom doesn’t like dogs in general.”

Karishma, a passionate animal lover, did not think twice before clearly indicating how much Lucy, her dog meant for her. Incidentally, Lucy even shares her surname – Walia. 

The prospective groom tried to convince Karishma suggesting that her love for the pet could be a temporary phase. Karishma did not take too kindly to it texted back, saying, “Having a dog is definitely not a temporary phase. I can't abandon my dog for anyone.”

Annoyed with her reply, her suitor texted: “I am sorry to say this. But please marry the dog in that case.”

“He couldn't digest the fact that a dog can be someone's priority. I am OK with not marrying, but I am not OK with abandoning my dog,” said Karishma. 

While people are lauding her for taking a stand for her loving pet, Karishma’s parents told her that they still think that her decision was wrong and that the guy was an excellent match for her. 

Karishma’s Facebook profile and her posts clearly show her love for dogs. Her profile bio reads, “For my dog, I am the only one. And that’s all that matters.”

FOLLOW US!

Baltimore Ravens Center, Jeremy Zuttah’s Pit Bull, Ace, Walks with Him Down the Aisle at His Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life. Almost every moment of the day is captured on camera, either in photos or video.

When you get married, you want the most important people in your life there. Or, the most important animals!

One NFL player refused to get married without his pup! Jeremy Zuttah, a center for the Baltimore Ravens, was not going to get married unless his pit bull, Ace, could join him! I like your style, Jeremy. I’d definitely want my dog to be able to join me as a witness on my big day!

Jeremy and his fiancée Heran planned on getting married at city hall, but when they found out Ace couldn’t join them, they immediately looked for a different venue!

Ace has been with Jeremy Zuttah and his fiancée Heran for about eight years, ever since they adopted him when they were students at Rutgers University.

The couple looked into different venues for their wedding, city hall being one of the first.

But when they said they couldn’t bring Ace, they quickly changed their minds.

To make sure he was a very well-behaved boy, Haren and Jeremy sent Ace for training classes to prep for the big day at Downtown Dog Resort!

Jeremy and Heran are actually big advocates for adoption. They both take credit for Jeremy’s teammate Ronnie Stanley publicly adopting the most “unadoptable” dog at a shelter in Baltimore!

Ace was definitely the center of attention at this wedding! He was the star of the show walking down the aisle with his dad.

FOLLOW US!

Sharing on this Veterans Day, A Beautiful Love Story of a Man Leaving His Family to Serve His Country - The Silhouettes, a Shadow Theatre Group on Britains Got Talent 2013 (Video)

This is a very emotional video: A guy and girl meet, fall in love. They get married and have a child. He is called to serve his country.

This act was performed by the group, Silhouettes, a Shadow Theatre Group on Britains Got Talent 2013.

The song is, 'Read All About It', by Emeli Sande'.

FOLLOW US!