Barbara,
While I can't disagree with you, you could go one step further. Why import a child into the country for surgery when I'm sure we have plenty of our own children in the US that could be "helped" or "saved" with that amount of money. Or, for that matter, why do I spend large amounts of my own personal money rescuing dogs or cats when I could be saving kids?
Like you, I know that a dog may be an amazing animal, yet it is just an animal as compared to a child. But I will still continue to do dog rescue over child rescue. Why? I honestly don't know, but it's where my heart leads me.
The money that was raised was donated specifically for that dog. There are plenty of people who will pull out their checkbook and write a check for an animal, yet they might or might not for a child. And I can't judge them for that....it is their money and they should be able to spend it how they choose. If I were to start judging others, then I would have to hold myself accountable as to why I spent all the money I spend on buying/keeping pets, including my miniature horses, when I could instead be sending this same money to help a child who needs surgery.
Anyways, no flaming at all, as I understand exactly what you are saying.
Wendy