Puppy Mills

I missed the Oprah show on Puppy Mills the first time around, but I DVR'd it and sat and cried through the entire thing.

Yes, those religious people "view animals differently"....so that's supposed to make it OK? They know enough about the world to know what breeds sell well, what the people are buying them for (pets) and how to pick up the money and put it in the bank.

Bullshit to hiding behind religious beliefs but then cashing in on a "worldly" thing-people keeping pets in their houses...same person was shocked that the rescued dog was allowed in the house with "the family".

I hope there is a special hell reserved for pious people who nonetheless support themselves with suffering and abuse-they may be cashing in on "the world's obsession with animals" but THEY are the one's who are imprisoning and maintaining creatures in cruel conditions.

I have more respect for the bastards who are plainly doing it for a business and out for a buck. At least they know what they are.

Ok, I've sat here for a good 10 minutes trying to be non judgemental about this, and I just don't have it in me at this time. Wear your funny hat and your beard and all the rest-rock on with your religious beliefs-but KNOW that you are the bringer of suffering to helpless beings and be glad MY judgement cannot harm you because if I could I'd lock you in one of those hot cages with 10 of your smelly, frightened friends until you saw the error of your ways.

What it takes to leave

Dogs are easy. Take them to the kennel, and pay a lot of money. For several days prior to that make sure they have extra outdoor time and exercise (even though they get it at the kennel as well).

Pasht Cat-clean litter box, leave enough food down for twice the length of stay (cats freak out if they can see the bottom of the bowl and the owner is gone) and 10 times the water.

Oliver Bird-set his CD player to go off, clean cage, layer his food in his bowls so that he gets surprises. Leave extra water and "lunch bag" of toys for him to tear into.

Carolyn Slowsky-leave plenty of water, hose down her enclosure (not sure why, in the wild if it didn't rain she wouldn't get wet)....hide food to encourage her to move around and hunt. There actually enough natural food in her enclosure to hold her easily for the length of time I'll be gone, but I added a couple of tomatos, peppers from the garden and some dried straweberry's for her to find. I wet down some kibble that either she'll eat or will draw ants and she'll eat the ants-her choice.

Snakes-feed a couple of days before leaving, make sure they have water, thermostats are functioning.

Feeder rats/gerbils-feed and water-ok, I brought them so clover too. They might as well live high on the clover while they live.

Water well and remulch all the plants.

This is a short trip-three full days, home early on the fourth. Temps are ok so no back up contingencies for power outages etc.

And Mom wonders why I wait till the last minute to pack.

Smackdown

I took the bigguns to the kennel a day early, to divide and conquer. I want Priss to spend some time with Lily and see if we can resolve some of the issues. Part of the problem is Lily doesn't hear Prissy's warning growls, so she is completely shocked when Prissy goes after her. Prissy gets frustrated, and the ears get bitten and then Priss gets her ass WHOOPED by Lily.

Today I was defending the meter man and Prissy was the only one who had trouble settling down-so I know where my work is best applied. I am sure the meter man will have a funny story to tell his wife about the fat lady in a tank top who went out and said "I own that fence and I own that meter man-so back OFF"

Moving next to my parents has been hard on Prissy-her power source is two houses down. Worse, keeping her away just makes Mom miserable. So, we'll forge on-she definitely has the smarts to work out what she can and cannot get away with and with whom. But dear lord, it's been over a year and a half now.....not giving up on her though.

Peeps-dominant dogs and elderly ladies are a dangerous combo.

Just a pretty face