It was appalling to read in Monday's BDC that someone in Belgrade keeps a horse in their house like a pet. It's anyone's guess how the horse feels about it. Here is how one human thinks about it. The house will never be the same. Not everyone wants to buy one that's been used as a barn. Raising children in such a setting is risky. There are infections allergies and diseases caused by co-habiting with animals. Cat and dog owners know this. Not only is the child at risk but all it's classmates may be exposed to some microbe that normally stays in a barn away from humans. The next school epidemic may be on its way in Belgrade. Or are they home-schooled children? Think it through. Either way it's not intelligent. Principles of hygiene are needed here.

I wish we were still allowed to bring our dogs to the Kirk Park fields during the winter. The city banned it this year. I suppose too many people didn't clean up after their dogs. A darn shame they ruined it for the rest of us. As a totemist, I fear that my dogs' unhappiness at this situation will affect me and my people (by 'my people', i refer to fellow dog-lovers in Bozeman - but not dog-lovers outside of city limits. You'll be fine. As for us in the city, it's possible that we're doomed, until I find another way to appease my dogs).

Let's think/talk about it. How many would like chickens living nextdoor? How many have had chickens living nextdoor? Are City & Country Living the same? Chickens are noisy. Chickens can carry Bird Flu. Dogs kill/eat chickens don't they? What else?

I do not understand the concept of bringing your dog everywhere you go! On top of that for others to assume that everyone else should sacrifice themselves so your dog can go everywhere with you is just rude and disrespectful. As the mother of an asthmatic child, I should be able to bring my son into a local bank, cell phone shop, etc. without my son breaking out into an asthma attack because someone brings their dog into the building. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand service dogs, for they are not pets nor are they treated as such. But to bring a pet into a public place because their owner thinks they are so cute and can't go anywhere without them is just a nuisance. What happened to respecting others? Seems like there is a mentality that pets are more important than people and there is something seriously wrong with that concept. I think they are cute too but please respect others. We outlaw smoking in public for health reasons, however, if you were asthmatic you would think that these cute pets are...

How can the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter stay in business when they spread infections diseases to healthy animals?

My wife and I recently adopted a beautiful little kitten from the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. It turns out that the little kitten, Flossy, was sick when she was brought to the shelter. A couple of days after we adopted Flossy, she started sneezing, coughing, and had a swollen and goopy eye. We called the shelter, and they gave us two medications. They also warned us that they had limited resources, so we would have to go to a veterinarian if the medications didn’t cure Flossy’s symptoms. A week later, Flossy was still sick, and our other cat, Little Boy, started showing the same symptoms. We went to the Veterinarian, recommended by the shelter, and were shocked to find out that Flossy had herpes and infected our otherwise healthy Little Boy.

Not only were we upset about infecting our other cat but became even more alarmed when we found out this was a reoccurring issue with the...

It's starting again--dog poop everywhere. When out walking
there is a portent of things to come in the Spring. I can hardly wait for all the snow to melt to see how much has
piled up. This community requires dog owners to use bags to
clean up after their pooper pets. Frozen poo is easier to pick up isn't it? Do owners think the ordinance is suspended in winter? Please let's see some responsible owners. Dogs do what their owners allow.

Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter had to partially shut down on Tuesday as a result of a puppy infected with parvovirus. As a result, all four of the puppies that were dropped off were euthanized.

What do you think?