DIALOGUEletters
fact that we “pamper our pets” (versus the
once-accepted practice of keeping them
chained out in the backyard!) is a wonderful
indication of an increasingly enlightened society! We’ve become kinder. I like to think we
are eons removed from the days when it was
commonly thought that animals didn’t even
feel pain. It’s frightening to realize this was
once accepted as truth.
Arlene Wands
Troutdale, Oregon
Debate goes on
In response to the December
Debate, “Do Americans pamper
their pets too much?”
NO. For many couples without children,
seniors who have lost a spouse or singles, pet
companionship is a very important part of
life. Pampering is a relative thing, but toys,
dog beds, sweaters, good food and treats are
part of a healthy pet’s life.
YES. Americans pamper themselves too much.
Doggy jewelry, gas-guzzling cars and cell
phones for each member of the family, including children, are just some of the many signs
that we’re overindulging ourselves and spending our way into a debt hole of despair.
Vicky Reardon
Bellingham, Washington
A true family affair
I want to thank The Costco Connection
for using the photos of my horses on page
71 of the December issue. They lived in one
of Costco’s shopping-cart corrals for five
days during the October wildfires here in San
Diego County.
In fact, my entire family (two sons and
my husband) and our animals (seven horses,
three dogs and one cat) stayed at the Poway
Costco from Monday, October 22, until
Friday, October 27. The staff was so kind and
accommodating to us and to all of the other
families who chose to evacuate to their parking lot. Costco employees came out several
times throughout the day to visit and ask if
we needed anything and offered food to us at
no cost. Thank you so much!
Kimberly Wagner
Ramona, California
Odds and ends
Toys will be toys
Will you please remind the author of
“Great gifts at costco.com” [November issue]
that this is the 21st century? Perhaps he or
she momentarily thought we’re in the 1950s.
“For girls, consider dolls, such as Barbie and
her accessories, and doll houses
and play kitchens. Boys might
enjoy skateboards and ride-on
vehicles,” says the writer.
I am a child psychologist
and former school coun-
selor in the Seattle area. I
can assure you that boys
as well as girls enjoy dolls
and their accessories,
though they’re often
called “action figures”
when given male bod-
ies. And girls as well as boys
enjoy skateboards and ride-on vehicles.
I’m certain your sales of these items
would plummet if buyers stuck to the out-
dated concept of gender-appropriate toys.
Suzanne Engelberg
Seattle, Washington
Taimi Gorman
Bellingham, Washington
YES. So much pet-owner behavior is simply
self-indulgent behavior. It’s not for the pet, it’s
for the owner. How many dogs really,
really want a diamond collar or a
new jacket? Things like that are
what the owner wants; they make
the owner happy. Pets are like
children in one respect. They don’t
need things; they need time, affec-
tion, attention.
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Jane Lewis
Laguna Niguel, California
NO. Gandhi said something to the
effect of “The greatness of a nation and
its moral progress can be judged by the
way its animals are treated.” I think the
Warren Buffett will now
take your questions.
WHAT IF YOU could ask Warren Buffett,
the quintessential investor, businessman
and philanthropist, just one question? For
an upcoming story in The Costco
Connection we will interview Mr. Buffett,
and your question just may end up in the
story. Send your question to “The Warren
Buffett Story,” The Costco Connection,
P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124-1088,
or e-mail it to
connection@costco.com
with “Buffett” in the subject line.
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