*The thoughts expressed here are Nuggets, and perhaps his parents alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any other persons or organizations mentioned herein*       Hi Everybody. Nugget here. Usually I'm a pretty laid back pooch but I've got a few things I need to get off my chest so here goes my little rant.

On behalf of myself and pets all around the world please think before you decide to get a pet. Although my story has a happy ending I have been through some hard times and heard even worse stories from my siblings and other animals I met in rescue. It's not an easy life to be unwanted. Think long and hard before you commit to having and pet and then COMMIT. Do your research and make sure its the right pet for you. Almost every breed of animal has a website or book available to tell you what we are like and how we may fit into your home. "Trying us on for size" and then deciding we arent right for you is very hard on us. Consider the costs, my sibling Jaq currently requires medication that dad says could buy him a new car instead if he wanted. Yes pet care can cost that much, if you aren't ready for it please don't take us home. All too often mom sees pets brought to the vet which the owners have put down because they cannot afford medical care to make them better again. DEATH IS NOT A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE TO MEDICAL CARE!! Veteranary care is a huge expense, if you are not willing to budget for it and pay for it then please stick to plants or something. When you are ready for a pet and you have done your research please look for animals like me who are in a shelter and need a good loving home. If you are in the South Jersey area I highly recommend the AWA as they take the time to ensure we are all healthy and that our personalities will match your needs. Sure we may have a few miles on us and bring along some baggage but we appreciate your love and care all that much more. And as an added bonus many of us are already through that annoying puppy stage and house broken.

If you already have a pet or you get one from a shelter (or store) which does not spay and neuter then please go out and have your pet fixed right away. Hey, I wont lie, I wasn't too fond of the idea but in retrospect I am the ladies man and now I can live carefree without worry some little darlin is gonna come hittin me up for half my kibble to support some puppies. There are plenty of low cost spay and neuter programs which can help you out with the expense, find one, do it.

On behalf of the many cats I have met in my travels I would like to say "STOP DECLAWING" Hey, I'll admit it, I saw the damage those little buggers can do and I get my nails cut all the time its no problem so I didn't think this declawing thing was a huge issue. Then I got to meet some of the victims of this brutal procedure first hand....to heck with nail clipping, they are cutting these guys fingers off at the joint! Sorry to be so brutal but thats whats going on when you declaw your cat, you are willingly and knowingly mutilating an animal by removing its fingers at the first joint. If your curtians and sofa are that important maybe you should get a fish. I hear some people argue that these cats might get put out on the street if they aren't declawed....well think about it, someone gives you the option to be homeless or have your fingers cut off, neither idea is real appealing but I think Im gonna go with street life on that one.

Mom and Dad and people like them are often ridiculed for treating their pets like people. Well if you aren't willing to make that level of commitment and treat us with the same care and understanding you would your own child then perhaps you should reconsider pet ownership. On the upside we won't steal your car when we turn 16 to go cruizin for poodles. Take the time to know and understand us and we will provide you with unconditional love.