-PJ
Posted on 06/03/2007 8:53:47 AM PDT by Daffynition
Edited on 06/03/2007 8:32:45 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
At one point, he praises humans for forgiving pre-meditated murder:
"Some of those most deeply affected by the shootings even extended the hand of forgiveness to the killer. Clearly, even in the face of brutality, man – when he appeals, as Lincoln admonished, to the better angels of his nature – is capable of exhibiting a humanity toward his fellow man that should make countless thousands rejoice."
But earlier, Bauer was disgusted by the owners' "forgiveness" of the accidental death caused by their dog:
"Such animals are usually euthanized, but in this case, the dog was treated to an all-expenses paid trip to an animal center in California. "
What was the point of this essay? Kill the dog, but forgive Cho? Idiot!
My brother’s wife is allergic to cats, but does that stop her from letting it sleep on the bed with them? No. Just take prescription drugs in order to keep the cat.
My wife loves animals, but also loves not having pet hair all over the house.
I’ve seen people driving their cars with a dog on their lap.
But the worst personal experience I’ve witnessed is that of some friends of ours. Their love for their German Sheppards through the years, has been greater than that of their son or daughter. I remember visiting their place at times and watching the dogs sitting by the children’s father, and could see the jealousy on the face of the son. That boy grew up without the love he really needed, and ended up in prison. The daughter has had her share of problems as well. I don’t blame the dogs, I blame the owners for failing to realize the priorities of child rearing, and loving the pets more than their own flesh on blood offspring.
I’ve been around farm livestock and pets all of my life, mourned the loss of some more than others, but knew they were not even close to the value of human life. I thank God for giving me that much common sense (and I need His help in that area every day).
-PJ
Dog bone rainbow sprinkles. For the Freeper who has everything.
There must be a Golden somewhere that has chomped on a kid (no breed is perfect, and some , but talk about being WAY outside the norm. . . .
I think the reason the writer didn't elaborate was because the reasons for the death were outside his train of thought. He used it as an example of excessive affection for animals, thinking that a case involving the death of a child would be the most extreme example. But if no fault is involved on the part of the dog, it's not a good example. A better example would be a dog who had deliberately harmed a child, even if not fatally, and the owners refused to put the dog down. I know I have read in the news about cases like those . . . .
The child in question had a winter scarf tied the new way.... like a loop around the neck...the playful dog and child were playing and the accident happened. No malicious intent on the part of the dog. No reason to kill the beloved dog over a bizarre accident.
This incident happened in my neck of the woods and the family is friends with one of my friends families.
It would have been totally inhumane to put the dog down for a freak accident.
But it's silly to tie ANYTHING in a slip knot around a child's neck, from a necktie to a whistle lanyard. Accidents happen.
Oh and in defense of the parents and lack of supervision thought , the child was in her own backyard while mom was right inside doing dishes or something similar. This all transpired in minutes.
I have yet to meet a parent that supervises their child every second of every day especially in ones own home.
A 6 year old is allowed to run freely in her own backyard to play with dog while Mom is right inside doncha think?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1564799/posts
FR thread when the terrible tragedy happened.
But there's a reason they make clip-on ties for little boys - and this is the reason. Never anything around the neck in a constriction knot - NEVER.
When this happened we all discussed the nuevo scarf tying situation and it is indeed a big NO NO in hindsight.
It was so new at the time that the mother probably didn’t even see it as a potential problem.
Who could have invisioned what happened? Just tragic all around.
And Gary Bauer trying to use it to make a point ..well...that is bizarre.
But tragic accidents happen - I know I'm only here by the grace of God because I had a lot of near misses in my childhood. I was an active, curious, and fairly heedless child. . . . things like sticking metal objects in electric plugs 'to see what would happen', climbing tall objects, climbing on to horses (and cows) that didn't belong to me, etc. etc.
I am paying for my sins because my second is a hyperactive, ADD, risk-taking boy. We are on a first name basis with all four shifts of ER doctors at the local hospital.
That just about covers it for me!
I can see Mr. Bauer’s point. Sometimes, people elevate pets far beyond what used to pass for normal. I have always had dogs. I loved and cared for them all, and taught my children to do the same.
It’s only been in the last 10 yrs. or so that I could go clothes shopping for them. Or schedule a massage for them. Or have the option of having a full spa day. FOR A DOG. It’s not right, no matter what the pet store mega chains say.
Ditto doggie massages and spas.
What's happened is that lunacy has escaped into the general population. It used to be confined to crazy little old pink-haired ladies and their chihuahuas.
I will say this though -- I have a couple of hard working Labs, not frou-frou lap dogs. They are hard competitors in various dog sports, and I wasn't much of a believer in dog massage until I happened to get a coupon for a free one at a dog trial.
It actually worked and was very beneficial for my older dog. She has a couple of ouchy spots and massage helps loosen them up, just like it would in humans.
I went and got a book on dog massage (recommended by the doggie massage therapist) and give her a regular weekly workout.
Forget the clothes though, unless it's a neoprene cold-water retrieving vest . . .
Obviously, Gary has never met a dog rescued from a terribly abusive situation. Like people, many dogs will never get over the abuse. However, some do, and show exactly the sort of forgiveness, and can even offer unconditional love, even after all that.
Mark
I've seen similar things now and then, myself. Cold parents but nauseatingly exhibitionist pet owners. Makes you wonder what happens to the pet when parents kick off and children are responsible.
True, like Garfield and Jon Arbuckle.
SOME?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.