A Much Deserved Eulogy to AC

rosita

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Jan 11, 2006
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Cape Fear River Basin
Although I would like to think that most people who have a modicum of
intelligence would research any living creature that's coming into their
homes in this age of information overload, with internet accessible in so
many places, apparently people are still making poor decisions. After
reading the rest of the posts from iceet about the CAE's, I just . . .

Well, how much research goes into buying a new car, or any new piece of
technology, be it TV, computer, music system, or any large appliances.
Granted, these are high-dollar purchases, but how many "cute little peeps"
(fluffy baby chicks) and bunny babies will come home this Easter, only to
die within a week or two? We don't value or honor the lives of animals, who
are sentient (thinking) beings with emotions and a soul.

To bring home fish without knowing about their general nature, and,
after observing their behaviors, still blame them for what comes natural,
is a shameful thing. I want cichlids; I'm limited to a 55g right now; I asked
folks here for information, providing my specifics, conditions, etc., and
now feel very confident in stocking it with the right size, right amount, and
providing them with the environment most appropriate for the species.
I'm not rushing, for these will hopefully be fishy companions for a long time.

Even my horses get shots (including rabies, as we're in the country with wild coyotes and foxes), wormed every two months, hooves trimmed, proper
diet without overfeeding, brushing, mane and tail care, carrot and apples for treats instead of sugar or other "bad" things; appropriate shelter, and
everything else they need--without being pampered, spoiled, or treated like humans (even as babies!) When I finally got my first horse at 35, I researched and read and internetted and asked many, many questions. Now I have two younger horses I've raised from babies, completely trained them
myself, and have a newborn foal. I'm not the best, and I will always be
learning more, but I feel quite confident in raising, caring, and training
them.

Have you ever wondered about the disparity between how difficult it is for
perfectly qualified couples to adopt a child, yet any bonehead can have one? If you're having a human baby hopefully you find out what you need to
do in order to have a healthy baby, prepare for its infancy at home, and
then the growing years, saving for college, etc. Unfortunately, the high school where I teach has an unbelieveably high pregnancy/birth rate (e.g.,
in last year's graduating class of 126, 25% of the girls were pregnant,
or just had given birth. There's no research beforehand--most of these kids don't even pay attention in their classes--but once they find out, they do go to prenatal classes and visit their doctors, for the most part--it's paid for with tax dollars. They aren't even out of high school, yet can bring a child in this world, while being so unprepared and so unqualified?? (Mom or
Grandma are usually primary caregives).

I apologize for the rant, but teen or adult, anyone bringing any kind of
living creature into their home, needs to understand its nature and care for
it responsibly. I mean, c'mon, how many of you would bring a pit bull into
your home as a housepet? [I know, I know, many are sweet and loving, I
have a rescued 1/2 AmStaff who is basically pit bull, but they, by breeding
and general nature, are not trustworthy. My mom was working in a very
upscale jewelry store in Sarasota FLA, the owner has an adult pit bull as
her "pet/guarddog"--my mother is a quiet, easymoving person and loves
animals. One day, out of the blue, the dog just ran up to her and grabbed
the back of her calf, with no provocation whatsoever. The owner just
shrugged; Mom quit. If she'd been truly injured, I would have gone down there and shot that dog on the spot--once attack, always attack. And I don't normally get that way] Different situation that the CAE's, but if you do your reading, look at pictures, you'll know what you have. When I brought mine home, sold as SAE, I observed it's behavior after it was integrated with the other fish. After 4 days I saw nipping at a fish--by now I knew it was a CAE due to markings (researching, including Roan's little blurb and photo!!) Decided to return it next day, but had no other place to put it (another good reason to have a plastic "fry" or whatever box to hang inside!!); fishy's fin was mostly gone next day, took the CAE back, got home that night and fish was dead.

Gosh, I didn't mean to go on so long, but I guess it's the teacher in me. What transpired with iceet was a shame, and many of us tried to educate him, he didn't listen, and feelings ran high. In the short time I've been a member here (and I'm not normally a joiner--AND it's my first chatroom foray) I have found so many people helpful with all of my questions or problems--every time. It's a shame people may visit, and only read a couple of negative postings, or post a thread that's in the wrong place and may not be answered. But after skating through alot of other sites before my start, and then during the downtimes, I haven't found anything that compares all-around!!! Quick response time, welcoming folks, and OMG, people with a SENSE OF HUMOR!!! My little eulogy to AC. Thank you, everyone.
And if you don't agree with me--waayyylll, :p: :sim:
 
I understand what you mean Rosita...and I admit I got pretty upset too...how we treat animals says a lot about our character....if you don't respect all life, can you really respect any life? And I'm not talking PETA here, but being as humane as we can be. AC is a good site, and there is a lot of good advice to be found here. If the person that triggered this post was not just a troll, I hope maybe he learned something - because in the end, Kharma will catch up!
 
correct me if I'm wrong but don't you normally make a eulogy for someone (or something) that died? ;)

more to the point, I don't think that guy resolved his problem the way he should have. everyone came down on him as hard as I would expect them to, and realistically if he'd spent any kind of time here he would know exactly the kind of reaction his actions would draw. personally, if he flushed those fish that's his business, but posting pictures here considering the people who spend a lot of time here was definitely a stupid thing to do. and don't get me wrong, I am dead set against flushing live fish.

IME every once in a while we get 1 or 2 people who will come in and either ask for advice then not take it, or do something stupid like flushing their fish in retribution and think we shoudl all cal lthem heroes for it. they leave quickly and life goes on with the quality people still around.
 
Rosita

Not everyone is qualified to care for another living thing, be it human, canine, or aquatic.

My husband and I just set up an pet will and trust so we could adopt a tortoise named Lump! We have 3 cats, who knows how many fish, and Lump. They get better medical care, "appropriate" housing, and I know they have a better diet than most people.

It's the superiority of the human race. Most people think of fish, and many other species some people keep as pets, as disposable. How many people have "replaced" a fish? How many people have replaced a child's hamster that has died? The list goes on....

It comes down to a respect for life. Other species have a right to live, and we don't have the right to kill them. Some people get, some don't.

Hopefully iceet will go away and we won't have to deal with him anymore!
 
I just found and read the post you referenced and I think the owner of the CAE's should be the one flushed down the toilet.

This is a good thread, but its not going to get through to someone like that. Its more a job for a baseball bat.
 
rosita, just don't let that thread get to you. When someone doesn't like a pet and they are cruel to it, take photos of cruel acts, and then boast about it, well that about sums up his character (or lack of it). All we can do is rise above it and know we are better than that.

He'll probably spend a few more days basking in his artificial glory before wriggling back under whatever rock he crawled from.
 
Tom.E said:
…but at least he’ll know where all the red sucker marks on his buttocks are coming from whenever he goes No# 2.


EXACTLY...that's the Kharma I was talking about...LOL...
 
LunchBox said:
correct me if I'm wrong but don't you normally make a eulogy for someone (or something) that died? ;)

LunchBox, yes, the term "eulogy" is often used to describe a speech for the
departed. However, as with many other words (thank you,
Heiddegger and the Deconstructionists), when you have one word,
you have a multitude. Having always loved words, and having used words
creatively in a plethora of papers, a masters thesis and phd
dissertation (and being a teacher) I try to not just *use* words but
ply them with intelligence and humor. *gently chiding* ;) Here are a
few alternatives:
*tribute
*compliment
*mark of respect
*honor
*praise
*acknowledgment
*esteem
*accolade
*homage

It's amazing we humans manage to communicate at all (ref. *Tower of
Babel*)
YoFishBoy, kudos to you for raising the point that this oafish boob who
is a total dumb*** about keeping fish will have kharma come around and
bite him (or whatever) in the patootie!! What you put out there always
comes back.

For those of us (well, I'll admit it anyway) who are too
tender-hearted, empathetic, try to see the good in people, and are
always hoping (lost cause) that humans will put an end to their
supercilious attitude to the earth and all that exists on her, I would
rather continue being like this than the alternative. Having a closed,
cold, uncaring heart is not my path. That's why I've remained at this
low-income, high minority high school for 8 years now. It's slowly killing
me, in terms of physical and mental health, but at least most of the kids
who come my way (many of whom aren't even in my Art classes) will have
known one adult who truly cares for them, who they are, and what they
do.

Again, thank you all for your tolerance. I'm not trying to proselytize, but
I guess remind us all to be good keepers and stewards of the earth,
especially of the creatures whom we make dependent upon us.
Peace Out!! ~Renee
 
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