Pets on my Mind

Got a great comment about why Europeans are so much more sophisticated in their pet ownership than Americans are. What do you think? I think he's got something here.

Cindy asks: "...Why is America so different, with all the strays, the neglect, the cruelty? Please tell me..."

Europeans have been in the canine breeding and training business for literally hundreds of years, generally breeding for a specific, functional utility, e.g. sheep dogs, retrievers, bird dogs, etc. Americans have since bought their animals (and not their best genetics), brought them across the pond, and proceeded to breed for color, speed, and size, thinking "utility" would simply remain.
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Here's the guy at the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. There were a few dogs sitting under tables being very quiet and polite. I found this man sitting in the corner with his beagle. Why is America so different when it comes to animals? Is it because there are so many that are unsocial or is it just custom here that animals have to stay outside? What do you think?

Do you take your pet on vacation with you? Tell me about your experiences. I never take mine. I just think they would be happier in their own home. Also, everything becomes about them. I have to plan my vacation around getting back to them. I would much rather pay a pet sitter to come stay at my house and keep them fat and happy and in the air conditioning and sleeping on my bed so that I can be gone for 14 hours or more without worrying about them. I can be a guilt-free traveler.

On my recent European vacation, I love saying that, we went to 9 cities in six countries. I could have never done that with a pet in tow. I think they are better suited for vacations where you are staying at a condo or just staying put. What do you think and what has been your experience?