The Crux of the Matter
Ok, Ok, Ok! So, there are some reasons for my issues with animals. I'm not just trying to offend people here, so let me explain where I'm coming from.
(1) Growing up in the country we had animals--plenty of them. Usually a dog (one at a time), cats, a rabbit, a bird, fish, one time we even had catfish in a water tank. Don't ask. However, never did any of these animals make a trip to the vet, own any clothing of their own, or get a birthday party. They were just there. They went and did as they wanted, and when they got sick well, they eventually got replaced. Sound cruel? That's just how it was. We didn't have extra money so it was more important that the kids eat than that the animals had gifts.
(2) Our neighbors, who we played with every single day, had a big dog named Blackie (he was black). He was one of the meanest dogs I've ever known and bit nearly every kid in the area. They wouldn't keep him tied up because it would be "mean", but apparantly it wasn't mean when he chased me down and bit me on my right cheek (no, not my face!). It was a daily ritual to run from Blackie and make it to the top of the big swingset before he could get us. I just didn't make it that time. This incident led to me being terrified of dogs for a while, even if they were tiny. For instance, not long after that, a little black poodle showed up in our yard and chased me around our van (because I was scared and started running) as my loving siblings fell on the ground and laughed. I mention this because they would have posted it on my comments anyway just to make fun of me.
(3) My grandma. I love her, but not her pets! When I was younger she had this Siamese cat named Sandy. Sandy was completely psycho and bit, scratched, drew blood from nearly every family member that walked into the house. I was terrified of her, as were all the kids, but she never got put away when we were over. She had free reign of the place to terrorize whoever she wanted. Guess we know who was more important! There was also the series of agonizing dogs--small, but mean. I liked a few of them, but they still jumped, scratched, and snapped whenever they felt like it. The other thing is that the whole place smells like her pets, which is a major downside.
(4) As I type this, the neighbors' dog is in our yard again, this time chasing someone else's cat up our tree. Really, what is going on here?! You know where the hole in the fence is! Invest in a board! As for the cats roaming around, the City of Lubbock tried to pass a law a few years ago that if your cat went outside it had to be on a leash. That cracked me up! A cat on a leash! Needless to say, people were outraged and it didn't fly.
(5) There's a new store in Lubbock that sells nothing but specialty items for "dinky dogs" (that's what it says!). We're talking clothes, gourmet treats, luggage, jewelry, etc. The commercial makes me sick. Here's an idea--for Christmas, why don't you buy a designer coat for a dog that was lost in Hurricane Katrina, send it to the owners who lost everything they had, who still don't know where their dog is, and see if it brightens their holidays. Too negative? As we say sometimes in the Bowman house, "I not sorry."
Ok, I hope that this sheds some light on my previous post. I really do like your pets. I know that the people I was thinking of when I wrote it don't read my blog (my neighbors and my grandma). Merry Christmas to all of you, including your cute pets. You have my permission to get them a little something for the holidays if that's what you choose. Just try not to write "from Santa" on it, ok?
P.S. I just saw on E! that John Spencer, who plays Leo on "The West Wing", died yesterday of a heart attack. Since Andy and I have a deep personal relationship with all of the show's characters, especially Leo, I called him at the hospital (he was on call last night and is still there) to break the bad news. I wanted to cry and I thought maybe he would cry with me, but he didn't seem to understand why I was calling to tell him this. I'll have to talk this over with him when he gets home.
4 comments:
Siser, you so funny! I HATE CATS and am not scared to say it. They scratch, bite, and make me sneeze and snot. If someone loves me, they better put their cat away when I come over. That goes for dogs that like to bite and scratch, too. I don't think it's cute or sweet when a dog jumps on me and scratches my legs or nips at me because "he likes me" or "he's just a puppy". It hurts!!!!!!!! I don't care who you are or how special you think your pet is; house guests should be treated with more respect than animals!
Just thought I'd back you up, Siser.
Helloooooooo Amy! Well, that is my Mama you are talking about! But I do have to back you up on that. We had animals while growing up. A few come to mind. We had a really bratty little dog in the backyard and we pretended he was a lion and we would rush out the back door, run around the corner and scramble up the castor bean tree. He would be roaring at us, well maybe barking at us. Another time I woke up at two in the morning after what I thought was a mouse run across me. I went to tell Mom and Dad and they started laughing, and they were right, it was just our hampster on the loose. You have to admit Blake was the best. and Frito is a gem, although he is the neighbor's dog and loves to find me whenever I'm out in the fields photographing wild flowers He likes to pose for me! Can't wait to see ya next week. So looking forward to our visit. Love ya!
Ok...the reason I hate dogs is because I witnessed Mimi getting attacked my "Blackie." I, fortunately, made it to the top of the swingset before the attack.
Another time I was at a different neighbors house and we were chased by a rabie infected dog and luckly...once again...made it to the swingset just in time. We sat there in horror as my neighbor's dad came out and shot the dog right in front of us.
I have many more awful pet stories from when I was little but I will spare you. Just believe us when we tell you we don't like pets....there are good reasons!
Amy, I have been reading your blog for a while, but I could REALLY relate with this one. I so understand your issues with dogs and cats too ( I think I referred to them as nasty little beasts on one of my posts?). Anyway, I can so relate to both your feelings and of not wanting to offend your friends and of your professed doggy dislike. I am already training Mary Alice (my 4 year old). She knows that I think pets are stinky and a pain in the tail. (I need to mention that she does know that, I absolutely do not endorse cruelty to animals-ever!) I know it may seem unfathomable to many, but I do not enjoy being licked by animals, even "cute" ones. I also have issues with people lumping them in with family members, calling them, sister, brother, etc. And-stockings for pets? Who does that??? Oh well! I guess I don't really care if they do Santa for their dogs as long as they keep Fido from 1.keeping me awake at night with barking, 2. getting near me or mine at a park or public place 3. interrupting my walking on the sidewalk with kids (can be scary sometimes with dogs barking at you behind flimsy looking gates, 4. licking me, and 5. making me sneeze and or smell doggy b.o. when I come for a visit. So Amy, don't feel bad, know that there are others like you. I'm not this seemingly mean hearted about everything, just a few...
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