Does Anne volunteer with Meals on Wheels, or at a local senior center, by visiting or helping with activities? Does she work with at-risk youth in any way? Does she even knit blankets and caps for premature infants at a local hospital? Has she organized a book collection or personal products drive for members of the military? I know active dog, cat, and bird lovers who all spend what, I’m sure Anne would think was too much, time, attention and money on their animal friends – and yet are involved in multiple things that directly help other people.

I have also met numerous people who bitch about others spending money on animals (their own money, btw, which if they spent it on an expensive car or electronic stuff, would never get the same comment), who don’t help anyone other than themselves and maybe their immediate human family. The help they do give, to anyone, always seems to come with strings attached. “If you think/act/behave the way I find acceptable, then I’ll help you, but otherwise, not a chance.” That is not a generous heart. Give me an animal lover any day over a narrowed judgemental one.