From: bron@iastate.edu (bronwyn AGAIN)
Subject: Re: Defense
Summary: Uh, Flame. Medium-well.
Originator: bron@tbird.cc.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 10:14:59 GMT

    The following post is about 75% flame.  Press 'n' now if you don't want
    to read it.  Those daring souls out there may wish to read on. ;)

In article <nlp-291292172524@192.156.173.150> nlp@pacvax.pacersoft.com (Nancy Pilsch) writes:
>[the prevous owner of her pet] mistreated my sweet little Calvin in other 
>ways [besides declawing] as well.  

Thank you for clarifying.

>How anyone could have been mean to such a sweet little guy I'll
>never know, but it is obvious that she was incredibly cruel to him.  

Ugh.  Whad she do?

>I must point out however, that IMHO declawing is cruel.  As my vet put it,
>"it is a barbaric operation".  I am getting truly sick and tired of people
>putting their not-alive furninture before their LIVE cats!  There are so
>many people on this topic looking for validation because they have declawed
>their cats or are planning to do so.  

*flame on*
"I must point out, however, that IMHO declawing is not cruel.  As my vet put
it, "it saves lives".  I am getting truly sick and tired of people saying
I put my not-alive furniture before my LIVE cats!  There are so 
many peple on this topic looking to flame my opinion because they won't
declaw their cats and think it's cruel."

As you said, it's Your Humble Opinion.  Uh, I didn't see a whole lot of
"humble".  Your choice is your choice.  I don't particularly give a hill
of beans whether your cat is declawed, spayed, or sleeps legs up in the 
toilet.  I may advise against letting your cat sleep in the toilet, but
I certainly can't flame you for making a perfectly good adult decision
regarding what to do with your toilet trained feline.

If you feel so confident about your decision, why are you trying to 
shove it down my throat?

>Better not have children.  They'll ruin
>your whole house, not just a piece of furniture.  

*gasp*  FOR your information, my house IS destroyed because of my cats.
The children help. The cats still have fully functional teeth, and back 
claws.  THANK GOD MY CHILDREN HAVE NOT BEEN DESTROYED ALSO.  God knows infants
have no claws, and would have difficulty defending themselves. Or would you
rather I had my pets put down because of their claws?  Would you rather I
confined them to certain rooms?  Would you prefer me to shout at them and
spray them regularly? You can be damn certain I won't run out and follow your
advice now, because frankly, I dislike having to swallow other people's 
opinions. But, I don't think *my* house is any of *your* business.  And I 
don't think declawing/not declawing *my* cat is *your* decision.  I certainly
don't think *you* have the right to decide what is or isn't right for *my*
life.

By the way, are you for or against circumcision in infants?

>I know that I am probably going to get charcol broiled, not just flamed for
>this.  Go right ahead.

Thanks for your permission.  Did the above suffice?

>Just my .02

You can keep it.

>Nancy
>Owned by Calvin and Hobbes  

*flame off*

Certainly, if you believe declawing is cruel, DON'T DO IT.  But those of
you who wish to have it done, DO IT.  Your decision.  Circumcision of your
child is also your decision.  Chopping off your right arm to end world
hunger is also your decision.  ad nauseum.  Don't try to cram it down
my throat, tho.  I'm rather fond of my right arm. 

*sigh*
Shall we agree we each have our own opinions, and that it's our right to
have them?

--
Bronwyn J Scrutton                                          bron@iastate.edu
Project Vincent                                               (515) 294-4994
                    If it's not one thing, it's Bronwyn. 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats