OneMoreBird.com

I have been missing for a while.  Sad but life does seem to get in the way some times.  Grand-baby is growing like a weed and I got his first “sleep over” last Saturday night.  Mom and Dad needed a grownup night out so we watched gory movies, drank milk and had a great time. 

So many important things going on in the world, the fires in California, Britney is on the rocks again, Blackwater scandal, Woopie is on the View……  We had an event out our way that kind of put me to thinking again.  Dakota, a Vancouver Police Department dog, was murdered by a drunk with a long history, and I know how long his history was!  Talking to folks they seem to be split on the issue, was this a murder or destruction of public property?  The department considers their dogs “officers”, but are they to be considered as such?  The courts will decide this fellow’s fate-looks like a three time loser so we may never have to worry about it.  But this issue brings questions.

Are animals on the same level as humans?  Do they deserve the same treatment?  Are they in need of “rights’?  Some folks think so, some do not.   Me I have mixed feelings.  Bingo, my wife’s dog is a bit more than a dog.  He has found a niche in our lives that is more than animal but is it less than human?

I raise and breed exotic birds (well Amazons and Parrotlets).  I also keep six pet birds who I call the ”house birds”.  Are they different?  Should they be treated different?  Should they have ”rights”?  Or should I practice good animal husbandry and treat them all the best way I know how.  I think that is called animal welfare. (I ain’t seen no checks from the government yet but I keep looking)

I do not have the answers, I doubt anyone else really has the answers either, but can we ask the questions?  Can we look beyond our personal agenda or belief systems and explore the “other side”?  I can see the folks who argue for animal rights (not the PETA freaks or fanatics who want no animals kept by humans) sincerely feel they are looking out for the “lessor” animals.  I also see the need for folks to retain human rights to their investment and property.  With these rights come obligations and a duty to maintain “good” animal husbandry…………  So, just some thoughts, no answers, no solutions, and maybe more questions.

Bob Wheeler