They really do a lot of good for animals. Yes, there are some euthanasia issues that I've heard that are not unreasonable things to be concerned about, but on the whole, they are not a ridicule worthy institution.
Still, in preparing for the Weasel Meme's arrival, I ran into these "helpful" hints for introducing your pets to a new baby:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/introducing_your_pet_and_new_baby.html
I'm sorry, but bullet point number 14 deserves... at least a little ridicule:
Talk to your pet about the baby, using the baby's name if you've selected one.
I'm a fan of reason, but come on. I love how you are encouraged to use the forthcoming little bugger's name in order to get your pet used to hearing it. But they seem to indicate that, if you have not picked a name yet, this exercise will have some kind of benefit. People already mistake their pets for people, projecting onto them human attributes and motivations, with disastrous consequences (watch any episode of the Dog Whisperer). IT'S A CAT!!! THEY DON'T SPEAK HUMAN!!!1! Not even this well!
3 comments:
I'm sorry, but bullet point number 14 deserves... at least a little ridicule:
As does the fact that you decided that you needed to count the bullet points.
Talk to your pet about the baby, using the baby's name if you've selected one.
The only logical explanation that I can come up with is that it's more about you than the pet. It let's you talk about things so that you feel less anxious, and prevents you from prejecting that anxiety onto your pet. Still kind of crazy, but maybe true?
Not that this comment is helpful...
Our cat was surprising tolerant of our spawn. In the first stages of lump of flesh, the cat proceeded to ignore the child and look mildly annoyed at the crying. Stage 2 where the child could move was met with indifference and the baby was clumsy and slow. Stage 3 of baby development was full on toddler that could run and tackle. By this point, the cat was used to the intruder and would put up with a lot of crap until he would snap and either scratch or bite (gently).
Now that Miranda is 2.7 years old, I think that the cat has gone a little bit insane, but hasn't killed or maimed anyone yet.
brought to you by consurec, your home of consurance tech.
"As does the fact that you decided that you needed to count the bullet points."
Duly noted.
Post a Comment