Really?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,548843,00.html?test=latestnews

To heck with reflective thoughts today, I read this story and said, "You've got to be kidding me!"  I mean really, this woman paid $582,000.00 for a dog??!!!  I thought my purebred Welsh Terrier was expensive!  I'm sorry - I know there are probably some hardcore dog breeders out there that somehow justify this - but I think it's ridiculous!!  Especially in the economic climate that exists today!  Granted, the woman who paid over half a million dollars for the dog is Chinese, not American, but it's still the most absurd thing I've heard in a long time.

Now, I've never been one to begrudge the wealthy some extravagances because I know that if I had the money, I'd have a few myself; however, $582,000 for a dog is unfathomable to me.  It seems there are a lot more worthy things in which this money could be invested.  After all, people are hungry, people are sick, people are dying because they don't have basic necessities, much less a high bred dog.  Perhaps this woman is a great philanthropist - I admit I'm judging her without knowing the full situation - however, my gut reaction is disgust, mostly because I can't even begin to comprehend the reasoning behind this purchase.

I'm sorry to get up on my soap box this evening, but today, I watched as a number of young people (temps, along with me at the studio where I work) lose their jobs because the busy season is over.  I am voluntarily leaving because of my decision to go home, but a lot of my friends were depending on this position.  Yes, it's a part of the business - and we all knew that going in - and several of those let go may get rehired in the coming weeks - but it still doesn't make it feel much better.  After seeing that today, this article just struck a real sore spot with me.  If anyone has it to offer, I would welcome enlightenment where this story is concerned...I am trying desperately to understand.  

In the meantime, I hope they keep that dog secure...I'll bet even $582,000 dogs like to chase car tires.