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Pet People

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Twist and Shout


Today my weekly print column is about tail docking and ear cropping. If you want to read it, click on the "columnists" link on the main page. I'm listed with Community columnists.

Shannon gave me photos to use of Rocky and Gracie's tails and ears, and she also sent me the photo shown here by mistake. But I am glad, because I LOVE IT. It would be great if the game Twister's mat was underneath them, because that's what it looks like they are doing. Hey, maybe we can play Twister at our next Pet People party! Or are we too old for that? I think if we imbibe enough we won't feel any pain!

As to tail docking and ear cropping. NO REASON ever to get it done unless you are taking a dog into the show ring. It's simply done today out of habit and breed standard, but why put a pet through unnecessary surgery and pain? Check out the column and tell me what you think about the practices.

On a good note, read the story today under local news about a girl who started lobbying for a state law to require a bitterant in antifreeze. Three other states require it to prevent poisoning of pets and children.

After Brett's story about poor Little Bit, it's a timely article. If there were such a law, she wouldn't have died, at least not from that.

And the beef recall and those poor cattle, treated so badly. NOT an isolated incident as the cattle industry tries to pretend. Animal groups have been filming such abuses at slaughterhouses for decades. Why we all should consider vegetarianism or getting meat from a local source where you know the animal lived a normal life.

posted by Sandy at 2/19/2008 11:57:00 PM

24 Comments:

Blogger B said...

Here's a new twist to my story on Little Bit--Daddy said that he can't beleive the anti freeze got her cuz it is an orange kind that isn't supposed to be "toxic"--I don't fully understand that, but whats done is done. He still speaks about her with that little tinge in his voice.
As for Twister--ARE YOU NUTS? Not unless we have an ambulance standing by!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:50:00 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

I know you can buy antifreeze that is non-toxic, but as of yet there is no law that all antifreeze sold MUST be non-toxic. But as you said, it could have been a number of things in the shop, or even at someone else's house. In any case, this girl's story of how she started lobbying because of the death of her dog shows how good things always come from bad.

Pam is a former nurse. She can stand by and treat us for any injury! LOL.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:28:00 AM  
Blogger O'Malley said...

Hmmm...twister. Sounds fun. Will there be any thong modeling by chance???

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:57:00 AM  
Blogger Stacey said...

Hmmmm.....I'm pretty sure if you wear a low cut blouse, Dragon may be persuaded to model the thong. You possess his weakness. LOL

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:01:00 PM  
Blogger B said...

Wow!!! then your bust must be like KRYPTONITE to the Dragon MOM!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:06:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

I don’t like the idea of cropping tails or snipping ears for any reason to include Dog Shows. Why allow this in dog shows? I thought the premise behind a show was best in breed not best surgery!

I love all the pictures of Rocky and Gracie. It looks at though one or the other is teaching the other tricks. Monkey See, Monkey Do…

B, Pam would be no good to us because she would be locked in the bathroom with no way out!

Hummm, Twister, wonder if I can tell left from right while sipping my special Vodka milkshake? I am limber but doubt anyone could get over my hips so I may be a sure bet to win! LOL…

Yes Omalley, wear the low cut blouse then Dragon will keep his tongue off me! LOL...

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:25:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

To repeat B, Twister!!!!!!!!!! Are you nuts? And age has nothing to do with it but Fibromyalgia does! It gives me pain to even think of trying a move in twister,yipes! I think we can think of many many more interesting and fun games besides that one! Ones that won't casuse us pain and suffering. We need to think of some more truths and lies too, that was fun.

Sandy great article this morning on the cropping and all. I agree, no reason for taht at all. I remember when I was little and my uncle had a little dog named Tippy. They put rubber bands on his tail till it fell off and I felt so sorry for him. He wasn't in any shows either. They just thought it was supposed to be done.
I really admire that little girls who is lobbying for the law on the bad tasting antifreeze, wish it would pass in the entire world.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:11:00 PM  
Blogger B said...

I'll tell you guys a good Twister story----Back in the wilder days, Jeremy and I used to have a whole crew that would come to the house and party and stay til the WEE hours--my way of clearing everybody out at a decent hour (3 am at least)was to bring out the TWISTER and a bottle of BABY OIL. I would tell them all to strip and soak. The guys were usually the first to knock the door down getting out-tee hee--and when the boys ran, the girls usually followed.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:22:00 PM  
Blogger dragon said...

Pam, yes I am nuts about Twister. It is a lot of fun. All ya’ll of the older generation, that can no longer partake in such activities, can take turns spinning the arrow. Ya’ll can even reminisce, if you can, how fun it used to be--the tangled knots of human arms, legs, and other body parts. Yes, I really like those other body parts.

My dear Shannon O’Malley, I would love to have you in the audience for a thong fashion show. You’ll have to get with Daisylouu and see about getting me a new one though. Ever since she gave me the wonderful Jets thong, I wear it just about every other day. It may not stand up to many more washings. Whenever I wear it, and any little girly girl wants to see it, I just drop my drawers and show them. Sorry, B.

Stacey, do you mean to tell me that Shannon O’Malley has a 1967 GTO?? That is the only weakness that I have.

B, is that what it is—kryptonite?? Well, that might explain this problem I have. Whenever I get around wifey pooh, I always get this sick feeling. Now I know why.

Skeeter, you don’t have to tell your left from your right. All you have to do is use whatever hand will get you up close and personal to someone. Then, if they tell you that you used the wrong hand, you just act all surprised. “Really???? Me? How did I do that? Sorry, Charlie.” And bat your eyelashes at them. Oh, maybe you shouldn’t use that tactic with Jeremy though. He might like it too much. I seem to recall it was his tongue that you had trouble keeping off you at Sandy’s house, not mine. Besides, the picture I saw, it was YOU trying to cram your tongue down MY throat. Hell, I was trying to figure out how to ditch wifey pooh. How quickly you forget. But, it’s okay, the Saint doesn’t read this, right??

B, I had a similar experience myself. But, I wasn’t trying to get the girls out of the house, but into the bedroom. I would grab the bottle of baby oil and strip the sheets off the waterbed and say “Come to Papa”. Sometimes, it even worked. In fact, I ended up with more eager participants that I ever would have imagined. Ah, the good ole days before wifey pooh…….

Wow, I just had a great idea. We can have a Twister fundraiser for the animals!! You can’t wear nothing but a thong! Well, okay, you ladies with inhibitions can wear a bra, as long as it is a push up. Can you just imagine the money we could rake in with this one?? Even the older generation that can’t play would pay us, just to spin the spinner.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:56:00 PM  
Blogger Stacey said...

Ah yes. These are the TRUE pet people. I have missed our fun loving, wild and crazy selves!! WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!

Now, where is that darn Daisylouu?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:55:00 PM  
Blogger O'Malley said...

I agree Stacey! I'm sure talk of thongs and baby oil would never scare her away...maybe she's just busy?

I think the twister fund raiser sounds like an outstanding idea Dragon. Maybe we should all have our own personalized thongs for the show?

I have unfortunately missed all the good gatherings as I would really like to hear more about Pam getting locked in the bathroom and just who's tongue was stuck where and with who. haha

Thursday, February 21, 2008 6:55:00 AM  
Blogger B said...

No tongues were harmed in the making of these events--the locks have been changed to protect the innocent--which is why Pam couldn't get out of the bathroom.

Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:13:00 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

Daisy's life is crazy at the moment, lots going on, but I will tell her to please make an appearance! Seems like lots of us have been kind away from the blog lately. Is in the winter doldrums? It certainly can't be that we are bored with each other and with our pet talk!

Where's Alice lately! I keep wanting an update on on all her pets since she has so many new ones since we started the blog. I know Adrienne's in school and Jennifer....did she have her baby yet? I forget when she was due. I want to hear how those for Poms of hers are doing with a baby!

Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:41:00 AM  
Blogger Pam said...

Naked Twister, dream on Dragon, dream on. And did you not hear what I said? It isn't age holding me back, it's the paaiiaannnn!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure wit all our creative minds we can come up with a good pain free fund raiser for the animals. Maybe we can start some kind of pledge and challenge thing. There are so many things I bet we can come up with if we brainstorm.

Thursday, February 21, 2008 12:45:00 PM  
Blogger Stacey said...

Sandy, I know for myself and Dragon, the blog has been sort of depressing lately. Little Bit and the puppies getting sick dominated conversation for a while. It's hard to be funny when all that misfortune is being discussed. I was still reading, but I just didn't have the heart to talk about anything. Does that make sense??

I want to hug Shannon O'Malley for throwing the thong modeling comment out there. It opened the floodgates for some fun and levity that has been missing lately. I love my Pet Peoples cause ya'll make me laugh and feel good about life and the fur babies! If I want to be depressed, I'll read the newspaper and watch CNN!!!!!

Thursday, February 21, 2008 1:15:00 PM  
Blogger O'Malley said...

The challenge is on....just ordered my Tony Stewart thong from ebay. Boogity boogity boogity as DW would say (if you're a race fan you understand...)Who's next?

I want to hug you too Stacey. You are so good natured about everything. I know what you mean tho-you make complete sense. Lets wait until we have our thongs on and are all greased up on the twister mat and THEN we can hug...OK? LOL hahaha...I have had way too much strong coffee today. Hubby needs to get home pretty soon.....

B, you are too funny. Obviously I will have to get you all intoxicated to get the Vegas details out of you about the bathroom and the tongue. I accept the challenge...

Thursday, February 21, 2008 2:22:00 PM  
Blogger Sandy said...

Pam, I've been trying to call you, but every time I call your house it makes a screeching sound. I left some messages on your cell.

I know what you mean about depressing topics, but that's part of helping animals and animal education!

And YOU ALL have the power to post topics here,so please do!

Thursday, February 21, 2008 5:56:00 PM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

I am not gone and I hope not forgotten. I have been studing my BUTT off, Now if that would only work with the reast of my body I'd be in good shape! HA! Or is round a shape? Trying to finish the second part of Behavior and trying NOT to get another 85% on another test.

More thong talk....The best was seeing it in person and how red Dragons face got when he realized Daisy had it with her and assisted him in adoning it.

I'm up for twister but not in a thong. Too much junk in my trunk for that. AND remember, nobody eat any beans the night before. LOL!!

Thursday, February 21, 2008 7:33:00 PM  
Blogger dragon said...

Oh, my dear Shannon O’Malley, sounds like a Thong Twister Party is on the way. I can’t wait. I already have a couple of gallons of baby oil ready to be rubbed on. I have my Jet’s thong and you’re on the way to getting a Tony Stewart thong. I am curious though as to which way Tony is facing on the thong. Inquiring minds want to know. O’Malley, sounds like you’re into some Fantasy Racing, and that’s perfectly OK.

Pam getting locked in the bathroom was priceless. The next time we have a get together someone will have to attach detailed directions on the inside of the bathroom door for my dear sister Pam as to how to unlock the door. Maybe some pictures with directional arrows might help also. Especially after a few Beasts.

Now on the tongue issue, I have a great photograph to show on that subject. That’s all I will say on the matter.

Speaking of photographs, I can’t help but notice the “let’s show all” attitude of the boxers in O’Malley’s picture. I sure hope O’Malley has similar inhibitions.

Pam, my dear sweet young sister, no one said any thing about “Naked Twister”. Your mind is in the gutter, and I’m proud of you for that. “Dream on” you say. Well Pam I do, and what dreams they are. I almost got myself in hot water with wifey-pooh about the dreams. The next time you see wifey-pooh ask her about Nora, Natasha, and Nadia. It seems I was talking in my sleep for a long while and wifey-pooh was giving me the third degree over the three. Oh naughty Nadia, what an experience. I’m glad I quit talking in my sleep. I do still dream about the three “N’s”, I just don’t talk about them.

Pam, I have thought of trying to do some kind of bowling thing as a fundraiser. Bowling is fun, whether you are any good or not. Couldn’t you see the Pet People taking over some poor unsuspecting bowling alley???

Miss Stacey, yes, the blog has been a bit on the subdued side lately and I was beginning to think it would be summertime before I could share some humor. If you and O’Malley start hugging, well I hope I am there. CNN will make you depressed, but if you watch FOX news it make you depressed and you will need to throw up.

Friday, February 22, 2008 6:13:00 AM  
Blogger Sandy said...

WE could never forget the bloomer dropper Adrienne!It sounds like you are doing well in school and you'll be learning so much about animals you can share with us!

Dragon, I LOVE to bowl and haven't gone in YEARS. We could have our own Bowl for Pets Sake instead of Bown for Kids Sake! When I played in the Air Force we'd always, of coures, have a "beer frame." If you were low scorer, you had to buy everyone a round. We could do Pet Frames, where the low scorer has to pay $5 or whatever, raising money for pets.

In the Air Force I used to play poker sometimes but really, have forgotten everything as it's been years since I played. We could have a Pet Poker Party where the pot goes to an animal cause!

We should have quarterly events such as the above, and give the money to a different shelter each quarter.

Friday, February 22, 2008 12:27:00 PM  
Blogger B said...

I'm for that--but we would have to become VERY organized. It would be nice to do things like that. I know all the organizations could use more donations-no matter how big or small. Maybe we could organize our contacts to work towards a big event and do smaller ones thru the year--defintiely something to look into--but this isn't a new idea--we've been kicking this around for awhile.

Friday, February 22, 2008 1:42:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

i thought we already decided that B's brood have a regular Pet Poker Party each time they depart the house!

The Saint and I love to play Poker! We also have our own bowling balls and shoes from when we bowled while in Germany. If anyone needs a bowling ball, Tina has some to loan! Sorry Tina, I could not resist. LOL...

Saturday, February 23, 2008 8:21:00 PM  
Blogger B said...

I'll see if Hines wants to re-teach me poker. I used to play a little in the frat days--not much cuz we drank too much to pay attention. Maybe I can have a pile of dog toys on my side. BUt then again, I'd have to let Charlie win--he needs the boost in moral. LOL

Monday, February 25, 2008 11:55:00 AM  
Blogger Pam said...

Well Dragon if you and Shannon insist on a game of thong Twister then I will just have to don my trusty camera to be the photog because I can't handle the pain taht would cause. And like Adrienne, right now there is just too much junk in the trunk for the thong. Even if there wasn't I wouldn't torture my poor body with butt floss!

I do like the fund raiser ideas but I would go broke buying the rounds of beer for everyone since I am convinced I'd be the lowest scorer in bowling. I make fantastic gutter balls.
Skeeter, you know if you mention poker, my brother is just gonna want to turn that into strip poker don't you? You know the way his mind works. Hey bro, you better watch out for wifey when you have those nasty wet dreams!

Talk about Boogity, boogity, boogity, we missed the Daytona!!!! We thought we recored it but something happened and it didn't record, sniff, sniff! Oh well neither of my boys won anyway so too bad. Dragon, in case you're wonering, my boys are #24 and #8, well used to be #8.

Stacey, you said the new subject started the ball rolling for some fun conversing but girl I tried to get it started a few entires ago. Did you miss my comment about the Marboro man? I thought it was quite witty althoug a bit naughty.

Sandy, I don't know why the phone is giving you a hard time like that and I haven't found any messages on my cell either, too wierd. I'll call you and then you can try calling me back to see if it's still messing up for ya.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:11:00 PM  

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Pet People

Sandy Britt, an animal welfare advocate and volunteer with Clarksville rescue organizations, takes care of three dogs: Zoe, Scooter and Peanut; two cats: Catfish and Tarzan; and one husband, Glen, and according to him she takes care of them in that order.
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