I tried for a long time to not post to this issue, but every time I read
the FML digest, there it is again.  So I finally decided to get this off
my chest.
 
People have different priorities in their lives, and as "animal people",
we just see things a little off-square, as compared to the rest of the
population.  We understand the joy of finding our little darlings,
sleeping oh-so-sweetly in the little cave they excavated in the back of
our sofa, the fun of dashing madly from room to room, in search of a
match to the single sock we have in our hand, having our bare toes become
the object of attack, laughing at the little beasties as they war-dance
themselves off the side of the bed, etc.,etc.  "They" don't know what
we're talking about.  We know that for the privilege of having these
amazing little critters share our life, we will find poop piles in
various corners of the house, plants dug up, missing car keys (among
other items), and holes in our furniture.  "They" think we're a bit
loony, and shake their heads in frustration.  They don't understand why
these things are no big deal to "Us", anymore than we understand why nice
furniture could possible be more important than having a ferret, or two,
or three, be-bopping around the house.  And that's just the way life is.
Oh, we might be able to shame them into keeping their pet for a while
longer by lecturing to them about animal companions being living,
breathing beings, instead of disposable "possessions", but in the end it
won't change anything.  They have already decided - for whatever reason -
that they no longer want this animal in their lives, and as soon as they
can come up with an excuse that they think will sound good to you, the
animal will again be looking for a new home.
 
We can't change that type of mentality, any more than someone could
convince one of us that our fuzz-butts should go, for the sake of
the ______(furniture, drapes, woodwork...insert your choice of items
here).  Priorities.  Animal people just have a different set of them,
and we need to accept the fact that not all people are animal people.
I for one will never understand how a person could think that hair-less
furniture, spotless floors, and windows without nose smears on them,
could possibly be more important than the joy and love, and comfort, and
just plain fun, of having animals in our lives.  The most realistic
solution I've heard, is to suggest that the person supply financial
support for the animal they're discarding, until such time as a new
"forever home" can be found.  I think that's about as responsible as
we can expect, and at least that won't inflict any further emotional
damage on the pet.  I'm sure animals are aware when they're unwanted,
or unwelcome, and that has to affect their psychological well being.
Now I'm going to go kiss my ferts goodnight and go to bed.
 
Sorry for the long post, it won't happen again.  (ha ha)
 
Becki & The Fabulous Four  (Minerva, Sapphire, Shrek & Pangeo)
[Posted in FML issue 3874]