Trained for racing, fights, pageants, circus, and other "spectacles" for human entertainment? Yes I feel the same. Trained not to bite and to behave around humans, for everyone's safety? Different. Animals are not here for our entertainment.

Even if the store didn't offer anything in her size (unlikely, but ok) there are still plenty of things she could buy like shoes, scarves, hats, bags, jewelry and as she mentioned, perfume. She could also be buying a gift for someone. What's wrong with some sale assistants?

There's nothing cute about exploiting animals this way. I can only imagine how it is for a rabbit to be trained to run and jump while on a leash: not fun. I wish Jezebel would stop sugar-coating animal exploitation. This is cruel and meaningless.

Well, I don't really know, maybe there is a middle with him? But you have to explain to him what you said here. For me though, it's like someone insisting that we speak in some X language I'm familiar with but can't use to express myself properly, while they speak X fluently... If you appreciate the beauty of a…

I'm so glad to see adoption going mainstream. Please animal lovers, adopt, don't buy!

I hate hate haaaate texting (and also talking over the phone) so I totally understand the guy. It's not that I "can't be bothered", but I rather have a real conversation, especially if it's someone I like. Maybe because I'm an introvert, I feel this terrible pressure by the text limit and unnatural/awkward phone…

People choose their mates/dates for stupider and more random reasons than salad. At least there's some thought put into this... and it's healthy too.

Because sex can be, and is often used by some males to oppress and humiliate women and express hatred for them. And it doesn't have to be rape.

Why do men in powerful positions exploit women in less powerful positions, and like in this case, powerless children? Is this really a mystery for Jezebel readers?

I'm cringing. This man is 83, stuck in a different time, and most likely suffers from dementia. (Not saying that everyone in their 80s does, but he seems to be.) Interviewing people like him and asking them to comment on important issues borders on exploitation. It's just so meaningless and hopeless.

As a non native english speaker I'm surprised by the (english) grammar police on the internet. My mother tongue is bosnian (one of slavic languages). Our written language is very phonetic (for the most part, every letter has a fixed sound, and doesn't depend on other letters in the word) so misspelling is very very…

Ahh but talking would be rational.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I really appreciate your civil tone which is rare on the internet. I like a good debate too, but try to avoid unproductive anonymous fighting. Jezebel seems to be a good place for friendly debate (better than Youtube for sure).

Oh and I didn't mean that those specific benefits of therapy are tiny (I don't really know). I meant in general, if there is any gain for humans, any at all, it will trump an animal's right to life free from harm and freedom. For instance: human desire to wear mascara or lipstick vs life and wellbeing of a rabbit.

Thank you for a thorough reply. I'm sorry if I came across as rude (I just read my previous comment again). I care deeply about animals (I'm an ethical vegan), and I know they are self-aware and capable of emotions. I agree that it is better for any animal to be taken care of, in your example as a "therapy pet",…

I don't really question llamas', or any other animals' ability to make humans feel better (or for humans to benefit from these relationships). I'm only concerned that there is a risk of abuse and neglect and that tiniest benefit for humans will (as usual) trump any disadvantage for the animal. As for "therapy pets"…

Because that's what these animals need, new ways to be exploited and mistreated by humans.

Persians like Americans or any other nationality or ethnicity have views and habits that differ. Some persians I know don't drink and are very strict about that. Some do. Some persian women cover their heads, some don't. Some persians are modern, some are more traditional. Some are country people, others are city…

This movie has a potential to be really, really great. Can't wait.

Because, you know, before Hitler gassed to death millions of people, he gassed to death no one. So why ruin his previously clean record with whatever happened later?