Not convinced, dickie.

>>All my animals are refugees - abandoned and ill-treated by other humans. Compassionate humans have a responsibility to care for these animals<<

This is simply one half of the chicken-and-egg argument. If keeping pets were outlawed, there would be no "refugees" for compassionate humans to care for. You are simply using the excuse of other people's cruelty to justify your own need to keep a pet animal.

>>My animals, or anyone elses, are not "inferior being(s)."<<

I absolutely agree. So why do you treat them as such? If you were kept in the way you keep pets - confined and restricted in your activities like an inmate of Guantanamo Bay - wouldn't you feel that you were considered inferior?

>>I do not "exert control" over my animals. They have been guided into adopting good behaviour traits...<<

That's just housetraining. I'm talking about freedom. I assume you will one day allow your kids to leave home?

>>The animals in my possession (some are ugly) have as much freedom as they desire<<

That's plain ridiculous. How can you possibly determine the level of freedom they "desire"? For one thing, you forced them to get used to a non-free environment for them during "training". You, of course, described their transition from freedom-loving puppy to obedient dog as "growing up".

>>In addition, all their needs are met...<<

Sure, I bet you let them go "walkies" as often as they like. To them, it must be like the exercise yard in a prison - a few minutes of sunlight, then - back to the cell.

>>Perhaps it is you who is "incredibly selfish and self-indulgent," Pericles and the much poorer for it?<<

I'm not sure how being on the side of oppressed animals who are unable to speak for themselves is selfish and self-indulgent, but I suppose it makes you feel better to lash out.

Pericles

I would be most fearful of leaving my animals in your "care."

And I'm wondering why you even saw fit to debate on this thread by presuming everything and knowing nothing.

It's clear you detest animals. Is this why you twist the facts?:

"That's plain ridiculous. How can you possibly determine the level of freedom they "desire"? For one thing, you forced them to get used to a non-free environment for them during "training"."

Forced them, Pericles? Who said? My animals are free. They are not incarcerated in some backyard or compound. My double gates leading to the street are often open. Get it? They will not stray further than a couple of houses before returning, even when visitors have left gates open all day during my absence.

That is something we cannot do with small children. They especially live in a "non-free environment," Pericles. Can we now expect more abuse from you because mothers "confine and restrict" two, three, four, five, six, year old children?

Oh dear. "Like an inmate of Guantanamo Bay" too? Get cracking now Pericles - quickly.

Bring in the Child Abuse Division for my "incarcerated" children and the RSPCA for my "cruelly tethered" animals.

BTW, did you tease a dog when you were a cruel little brat and it bit you Pericles?

Is that why animals disgust you? Is it why you're psychotic over responsible people owning animals!

Please Pericles...do tell. Or is your neighbour's pesky dog keeping you awake at night?

"Yep.....and I swear that tomcat's been sprayin' agin. Get the air-rifle, Mabel!"

Ooohh....perhaps some bad owners send their doggies to deposit logs on your front lawn too Pericles? Beats them having to pick it up hey? Hee hee!

And what about that stray who cocked his leg on ya rose bush?

"Bloody mongrels! Kill the lot of 'em! I got me some 1080 in the shed. Hey.....Mabel....get 'ere!"

You need have no concerns on this score, dickie.

>>I would be most fearful of leaving my animals in your "care."<<

All my animal-owning friends know better than to ask, I tend to spoil the animals rotten.

>>I'm wondering why you even saw fit to debate on this thread<<

Actually, you are the main reason. And people like you, who have never bothered to consider what a crappy life the vast majority of "pets" lead.

I know this will come as a terrible shock to you dickie, but it is precisely because I am genuinely fond of animals that I am so disgusted with the way they are treated/enslaved by human beings.

So all those silly scenarios you dreamed up - teasing a dog and getting bitten, noisy neighbours' dogs, spraying tomcats, logs on lawns, strays cocking legs and so on, are nothing more than the sad product of your fevered imagination.

Says quite a lot about the way you think about animals, though.

>>My animals are free. They are not incarcerated in some backyard or compound<<

Eh? Highly unusual, that. How did you train them, if you don't mind my asking? The sheer force of your benevolent personality, perhaps? But pray, if you don't keep them in a backyard or compound, where exactly do you keep them?

>>They will not stray further than a couple of houses before returning<<

It's clear that you are a paragon of virtue in the pet-keeping establishment, but I can assure you that none of your methods work in the city, where the vast majority of the pet population lives and defecates.

Talking of which, I do get some amusement from the recent developments in pet management that require owners to follow their animals around with plastic bags. Hilarious to watch them scurrying around, scrabbling in the grass to pick up some fresh warm dog turd.

Gives me a chuckle every time. The biter bit, I think to myself. Although not in those precise words...

Have a nice day. Don't forget your doggy bag.

I love animals. But I don't have a pet because I work, and I know that I couldn't give it the time that it deserves.

Yet, I'm constantly surprised by the lack of care shown by some people .
People who take their dogs for walks, and let them make messes on other people's lawns while they stand happily by and watch.
Then equally happily walk away, leaving their dog's mess for someone else to clean up.

Then there is the sensitive question of elderly people and pets.
Not all of the elderly are capable of looking after their animals properly.
A lot of times the pets are given the status of 'children.'
I've known elderly who sleep with their pets, feed their pets off the same plates, and in general spoil their pets so much that these animals become obese through over eating, and are lazy and unhealthy.
Although they love their pets dearly - they don't know that they're killing these animals.

Councils should have stricter rules for the desexing of animals. And households should be forced to keep their animals indoors, especially at night.

People who buy animals and then dump them are beneath contempt. But, I'm not sure what can be done to stop this from happening. The only small contribution that I've made is by financially supporting the RSPCA. It's the least I can do.

Couldn't agree more with you Foxy which brings to mind, my suggestion in my post of December 24 where potential pet owners must be accredited prior to possessing an animal.

In addition, legislation should be brought in where no-one can own an animal over six months of age which hasn't been sterilised.

Then you have the dropkicks who own 2 or 3 dogs, incarcerated in back yards and unable to see over huge fences.

And you are so correct. Most animal owners believe they can throw their pets any old bit of junk food and as a result, animal diseases are now rampant.

The vets are also culpable, recommending many unnecessary booster shots for animals which experts now state are causing additional diseases.

The council pound in my area euthanase over 100 dogs per month.

And Pericles is sufficiently arrogant to describe animals as "the inferior being."

Little wonder the sadists walk freely amongst us to continue their abominations against defenceless species.

"But pray, if you don't keep them in a backyard or compound, where exactly do you keep them?" (Pericles)

Errr.....in the front garden Pericles where they can greet passers-by, communicate with visiting animals which come to play "maddies" and be stimulated by the activities occurring in my street. However, they also have access to my backyard - their choice!

"I am genuinely fond of animals that I am so disgusted with the way they are treated/enslaved by human beings."

Crap, Pericles. And what has your contribution been towards preventing animal neglect and cruelty. Looking the other way? Head in the sand? Aware that an animal is being neglected but too gutless to approach or report the sadist?

A typical cop out from Pericles and an "incredibly selfish and self-indulgent" rant!

Pericles

I dont know what sort of personality disorder you have but please do not to speak of this hard working person Dickie in such a manner.

That person has shown more compassion branching out in 'many' areas of Animal Welfare in the last year than you have in your whole selfish life.



My only conclusion is that you are so bitter and lonely you just wanted to share that with somebody else- which is sort of normal I guess.

Mind you its all probably a bit too hard for even you to understand why you seem to make a habit of trying to upset other posters.

You make a habit of being rude to decent folk we have noticed many times.
I guess you are seeking some attention and you seem to be even worse than normal around Christmass time.


We work in conjunction with RSPCA QLD and there are several programes now running for abused victims as well as Animals.
Or even just sad and bitter people. Perhaps you could think about getting involved.

We believe that people and Animals all respond to love- but it is up to us as reasonsible people to ensure the safety and care for our fellow creatures.

Well I am off to the beach now with the dogs and neigbours and their kids.

Yes we will all take a doggie bag. Ah Well actually we wont the council provide them as you walk in.
We are all reasonsible for making sure everybody has a fun day.

Dickie Really
Dont use your energy the person is sadly- Not normal.

I know with your compassion you will join us in a prayer that she seeks help and leave it at that.

Thanks Dickie for all you do. We Owe you a great deal- persons and Animals alike.

A specially hello from the RSPCA QLD CEO Mark and from all of us at RSPCA QLD and People Against Live Exorts and Intensive Farming Halal kind Meats.

You can judge a Nation by the way it treats its Animals
Gandi