Sorry I am so far behind, but this kind of hit home. I have spent many hours working with teens and their lives. This post doesn't seem to take into account that the teen was told by the parent to do something, (being grounded, I believe) and followed through with the punishment. Now if he had done the opposite he would have been a "rebellious" teen. Sounds like the guy can't win! No animal should have to die needlessly, but sometimes lessons are learned at the expense of others. Not always pleasant, but part of life. What was wrong with the parents that they didn't go back and pick up the parents. Many times the kids are products of the parents. I truly feel that you must endure the pain of this preventable loss because it is the only way we humans learn from our mistakes. I'm truly sorry but I had to say what I feel. Forgive me. Betty and Her Blur O'Fur [Posted in FML issue 3150]