Stop Insulting Your Companion Animal!

Conclub ^ | 04-29-11 | The Rat

[TheConservativeCitizen]

It’s time to change your ways human carers; you are insulting your companion animals and you should be ashamed of yourself.

If you use terms like pets, wild- life, critters, beasts, or pests, the Journal of Animal Ethics has a (non-animal) bone to pick with you and your lack of sensitivity.

A (wackier than normal) group of leading animal ethicists is calling for a new “animal language” because the common animal terms we use “send out the wrong message.” To whom, exactly? The Rat would call these people “loons,” but that would be an affront to loons. Anyway, check out a few of their “academic” observations:

“Pets” is a derogatory term to both the animals and their “human carers” alike. The word “owners” is insulting, of course, because it harkens back to a previous age when animals were regarded as property or things. And the point is what?

“Wildlife” is insulting because “wildness” is synonymous with an uncivilized, unrestrained, barbarous existence. Apparently these guys missed the Great Migrations episode where the “uncivilized” crocodiles behave in a rather “unrestrained” manner when the water buffalo attempt to cross the river.

“There is an obvious prejudgment here that should be avoided.” The ethicists’ preferred terminology? “Free-living,” “free-ranging” or “free-roaming.” Really? Something tells the Rat that if one of these brainiacs were being mauled by a “free-living” grizzly, he’d wish he had done a bit of “prejudgement” himself.

As if this isn’t crazy enough, there’s more. Phrases such as “sly as a fox, “eat like a pig” or “drunk as a skunk” are all unfair to animals too. (without explaining, of course, just exactly how foxes, pigs and skunks have figured out all of this “unfairness” in the first place.)

“We shall not be able to think clearly unless we discipline ourselves to use less than partial adjectives in our exploration of animals and our moral relations with them,” concluded the Journal. “Thinking clearly” are ya? Seriously?

[familyop]

"A (wackier than normal) group of leading animal ethicists is calling for a new “animal language” because the common animal terms we use “send out the wrong message.”"

Why not? Most of us sucked up all of the other linguistic activism from the left so far. "Sex" was replaced with "gender" for the purpose of devising extra, non-existant sexes. Feminism was defined away from its etymological roots and real meaning. Those reacting from disgust are accused of being "-phobic." Vague terms have replaced clearer terms in the speech of the supposedly educated. The confusion in peasant listeners and readers makes such speakers and authors seem somehow more intelligent. The default has a few lessons in store for us.

[ken in texas]

I tell my dog that she’s ugly and her breath smells bad. She never seems insulted.

You too? Every time I do that she rolls on her back for a tummy scratch. As soon as start I relaxing in the den she jumps in my lap and tries to lick me.

Maybe I should find a better pet Companion Animal. /grin

[RatRipper]

Reminds me of Jerry Clower’s routine where he describes an encounter with a women’s libber back in the 1970’s. He went into detail about the life of privilege and luxury that his wife enjoyed, and concluded by telling the FemiNazi (though the term had not been invented then), “Momma don’t want you messin’ with the deal she’s got!”

I think most “PETS” in this country don’t want the do-gooder libtards “messin’ with the deal” they have, either.

Just imagine what kind of insanity they are going to bring our way if we don’t hammer them in the next election - scary thought.

[Malone LaVeigh]

My animal companions all enjoy a level of comfort and security that many humans would probably envy. When their prehistoric ancestors wandered out of the forest and entered into the relationship they presently have with people they got a pretty good deal .
Life in the wild is often brutal and short. If the trade off is that we address them in a manner not to the liking of these kooks, I'm sure they won't mind.

[Maceman]

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

[Eaker]

Where can I go to file a grievance?

Dogpatch?

[TheOldLady]

I frequently insult my companion animals.

While I’m brushing them, I call them doofuses, ask them if there’s room for a brain in their heads, tell them that they’re the dumbest things I’ve ever seen, and berate them for shedding all over me (I’m pre-furred).

They just purr and rub up against my hands, arms, face, whatever they can reach and act happy as can be.

[Ditter]

Perfect! :D

[seowulf]

Is it OK if I call leading animal ethicists pests and vermin?

[brytlea]

My k-9 American thinks that’s pretty funny.

[Slings and Arrows]

[TheOldLady]

Hi Slings. I already yakked here but wanted to say hello to you.

[goodnesswins]

Hmmmm....better tell our PET kitty this....who was saved from being COYote DINNER!

[Slings and Arrows]

Howdy-do.

[exDemMom]

The word “owners” is insulting, of course, because it harkens back to a previous age when animals were regarded as property or things.

Lol. I wonder when those dolts think we stopped owning our animals?

I routinely call my cats "little beasts," except at feeding time when I call them "the monsters." The orange ones are "Evil Boy" and "Evil Fluff." Not only do they not seem to mind, but they purr and act cute when I call them names!

[Immerito]

How about if I don’t wanna?

:-)

[Emperor Palpatine]

My dog IS the brains of the outfit...

;-)