Mickey's story, I'm sorry to say, is far too controversial to write about because many, many people in my area still believe animals are huntable and disposable and simply property. It's a feature of an area that is still somewhat rural in spite of the creeping Northern influence. Mostly, those moving into our area are interested in cheap housing prices because there's nothing left in Norther Virginia. And the other reason this area is booming is because of the schools--children's welfare is a big deal here: I am certain animals do not and will not fair so well.
The one lady who does trap and release and all animal rescues without question, said that there were times a few years ago that her humane association would set up a table in front of our Wal-mart informing the public of spaying and neutering and taking donations. The volunteers were often insulted and jeered at by Wal-mart customers because of the message of animal welfare instead children's welfare and saving babies rather than whales. You know the bumper sticker...The Rappahannock Humane Society basically stopped public functions because the hostility was more than they bargained for so they now do their work silently. Probably that's why I wouldn't've heard about them from the SPCA because they wouldn't know the group of volunteers was still around.
I don't know what makes some of us more acutely aware of animals and the care to which they are entitled. I would submit that if, as a youngster you have had an attachment to an animal and it is taken from you--for whatever reason--the sorrow of such a loss never leaves. As a youngster, my mother was not an animal lover and once got me a kitten which, by week's end, decided to get rid of it because she was not satisfied with my 9-year-old responsiveness to cleaning out the litter box. I woke up Saturday morning and went looking for my kitten to find out that my mom claimed she had given it away. I'll never know because I did not see the people pick the cat up as I was asleep. I went into a rage and have never forgotten my anger for what she did to me. Watching my 16-year-old friend get through her loss is like reliving my own. So, yeah, maybe now I've gone off the deep end with my passion for animal welfare. And maybe I'm watching my friend develop her own passion out of a tragedy and wanting to never have an animal suffer as her cat did.
I think I can write a much more uplifting story about Bob's survival than I can a story that will make people rethink their values about companion animals. Regards, Pat Brown
----- Original Message ----- From: "sisu" sisupygmies@yahoo.com To: candichat@dolls.de Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 8:02 PM Subject: Re: A story related to the demise of a cat
Did anyone get to the end of this story? I'm testing out drafts because I'm interested in writing a story about Bob's surgery to submit to the local paper. TTYL, Pat Brown
I got to the end of the story! I am so very sorry for Mickey, may he find peace at The Bridge. I just hope that some good can come from this awful situation and the end of Mickey's too short life. Perhaps your young neighbor will spend a lifetime advancing the betterment of all 4leggeds. I am sure your example will stay with her a lifetime. She's is a very caring young lady.
Will you also include Mickey's story to the paper? Quite a contrast to Bob's life.
I've volunteered at 2 animal shelters and do rescue work, if those ladies doing rescue are "nuts", I'm proud to be in their asylum.
sisu and 7 indoor cats, 4 pygmy goats and 4 dogs one dog who was diagnosed with bone cancer this fall, had his front leg amputated and has undergone months of chemotherapy
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