Current mood:

geeky

Not that anyone cares, but Im leaving this community.
I deliberately didn't join it a while ago because I was told how prejudice the people here are toward outdoor cat owners. After a while, I thought 'fuck it, who cares, I can hold my own, and Im sure it doesn't come up all that often anyway'. After the bitch fest last night, I ws happy to let it die and move on, assuming it was a rarity. I come online this morning to find ANOTHER post trying to shove the 'dangers' of outdoor cats onto everyone, with lovely comments like 'it never fails to amaze me that people go on about how much they loooove their cat(s) but allow them to roam unchecked.'

And Im sorry but I am not going to come online every day to see bullshit like this sitting on my friend's page, and I would doubt that most people here would wish to come to a community which constantly implies they are unfit owners either. And Im not going to take the risk that it will be a common thing to crop up, because no doubt at SOME point another flame fest will start about it, Which Im sure you (and definately I) do not want.
I don't care if Im supposed to 'read between the lines' and assume that as Im in the UK, Im exempt from people's comments, because it seems to me the hatred isn't just confined to USA cat owners anyway, or if it is, that distinction isn't being made enough for my liking. So I can live without this community and this kind of ignorance from now on. Shame, because the majority of the posts here are enjoyable/interesting and were it not for this one topic, I would happy to remain. I also think many people who could be good, contributing members are scared away by this attitude, which again, is sad.
But we all KNOW the cat fued will come up again, and I can't be bothered with it. Thought I'd let everyone know why I shall not be posting here anymore, anyway :) This is not a 'screw you guys, Im going home' post or a 'pity me' post, because some of the people here rock! Its simply a matter of me not wanting to feel persecuted everytime I check my lj friend list. I just wanted to make it known why I feel the need to leave and why other people, who would probably be good contributing members, are perhaps afraid to join this community. But you will think what you will, and so will I. And since they seem to conflict, it doesn't bode well for the future for me here.
And so this post isn't a complete waste/off topic,

Someone calls up the other day looking to rehome a dog.
Fine, I ask him what kind of dog he's after.
He says 'what it is, is that I had a dog and he was stolen.......and I need to replace him. I own a furniture yard and I need a guard dog'.
me: all our dogs are pets only, and chances are you won't find anything suitable for guarding. Our dogs come from abusive or neglectful situations, or else they're just surrended family pets.
Him: 'well, thats what I was thinking. Since you have rescue dogs who have had a tough life, I thought they might have a bit more attitude'.
Me: 'um, no, most abused dogs end up more scared/timid than anything else'.
Him: but it WILL be a pet first and foremost, I just want to have it in the yard and make sure it will bark when someone aproaches. Make sure its a big dog. Do you have any rottweilers?
Me: We did have until just a week ago, but shes on hold Im afraid. We have a rottie cross lab.
Him: does it look more like a rottie or more like a lab?
Me: kinda like a lab with rottie markings
Him: thats no good. Do you have any dobermans?
Me: um....no. We have a staffy x boxer, hes big. But it says he's a friendly dog who loves people, so chances are he'll just lick any intruders to death!
him: Does he look tough?
Me: i.....I guess so
Him: he sounds good. I'll come and look at him.

Fortunately, he never got the dog in the end. But someone who had their last dog 'stolen' (which isn't exactly a common thing around here) and now wants a rescue dog to replace it because he thinks their abusive past lives would make them more sassy and game. Hoi. I'd wager he's never owned an ex-rescue dog before.