A long-overdue bitchslap

[lagilman]

::rant mode enabled::

Having an animal in the household is both a blessing and an obligation. Like children, they require care, and nurture, and understanding and a lot of work. The benefits you get back from them are incalcuable, IMO, but it has a cost. You need to know what you're getting into.


If you can't handle that cost or make the effort to learn, DON'T ADOPT A PET!


There. Simple, isn't it?

If you're lonely, if you want looooove -- hire a two-legged companion who can understand the score. Don't inflict your irrational stupidity on an innocent, helpless animal. And especially don't do it REPEATEDLY.

If you want something undemanding, to look pretty and make background noises, get a tank of tropical fish. And if you can't handle the trauma of having to FEED the fish -- get a gods-be-damned videotape of fish and leave it running, okay?

But stop inflicting yourself on the four-legged animal kingdom. Or I swear to gods I WILL show up at your door with a clue-by-four and an injunction to stop you from ever entering an animal shelter or breeding facility ever again.


::rant mode off::

I hate people like that. Can you tell?

Comments

[vampry.livejournal.com]

Amen.

Dare I ask what set you off?

[lagilman]

an acquantence who seems to think that shelter animals are like sweaters -- take it home and see if it fits, then return it when you decide it's not quite right for you. Worse, she treats them like sweaters when she lives in the tropics, IYKWIM.

Ah

[vampry.livejournal.com]

I think I now know of whom you speak.

*shakes head*

I'm with you.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I know of whom you speak and I can only say, "Amen, sister!"

It seems as though the person in question should be good with animals. Appearances, however, can be deceiving. Said person really ought to try to find some other source of companionship. Animals don't have the brains or the werewithal to deal with this kind of neurosis and physical limitation.

*sigh*

[greeneyedkzin.livejournal.com]

STUFFED animals. I am paying attention, and I am angry.

It's one thing to be sentimental about animals. It's another thing to scoop litter and wait at the vet, terrified.

No shame if you can't handle it or don't want to. But admit it, and don't jerk around a living creature whose only sin is in wanting a loving home.

[kefiraahava.livejournal.com]

I know of whom you speak, and I will be holding another clue-by-four and standing behind you.

I am appalled, disgusted, and infuriated.

[matociquala.livejournal.com]

I don't know of whom you speak, but I have five rescue animals (four cats, one great Dane) in this house, and I also wish to say, "right on, sister."

[terri-osborne.livejournal.com]

I know what you're talking about, and you've just said everything I was thinking. My only concern was what was going to happen to the poor creature now. *sigh*

[kradical.livejournal.com]

Preach it, sistah! I'm about ready to beat the person in question until she bleeds. A lot.

[paleologa.livejournal.com]

You know I hear you. This makes me see red.

[lagilman]

There comes a time when you look at a person's behavior, collectively over time, and you say to yourself, "enough."

I seem to be getting to that point with a lot of people. But this particular person is leading the pack. Enough.

[greeneyedkzin.livejournal.com]

I am frankly expecting a guilt trip after which it will be MY FAULT that the poor cat has no home.

Never mind the fact that my lease forbids it, I am rarely home, I have white furniture, and I really don't want a cat.

[lagilman]

If she tries that, tell her to pack it up and take it home.

[kefiraahava.livejournal.com]

I already got asked to take the cat off this person's hands a few days ago. I had to pointedly remind her that I HAVE cats--I'm just separated from them by the future ex's attempted mind**** games--and I CANNOT take another cat until I know which of my cats I'm getting in the divorce settlement, months more down the road. Which she knows, but conveniently forgot.

Three times: it will NOT be YOUR fault. It's going to be HER fault for being such a [highly profane description deleted].

Not knowing who is being the *******, I can say...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

throttling is good.

4 cats here, and starting to sweat old age for one. Animals are a gift we are given--they teach us to love, and to let go.

Some people may desperately need the lesson, but they never Get It.

Would a "pets" form of Crisis Intervention do any good? As in, a half dozen of you sit said person down and say This Has Got to Stop. Sort of the Al-Anon family model....

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

Okay, I finally figured out what all this is about and I'm all kinds of pissed off as well. Hell, I would love to have more than one cat but I'm pretty sure I couldn't handle it financially or allergy-wise, so I don't. I love on the cat I did rescue and am happy. WTF is wrong with people? Sigh.