Accidental animal crueltyI once invented a brilliant game - I'd sit at the top of the stairs and throw cat biscuits to the bottom. My cat would eat them, then I'd shake the box, and he would run up the stairs for more biscuits. Then - of course - I'd throw a biscuit back down to the bottom. I kept this going for about half an hour, amused at my little game, and all was fine until the cat vomited. I felt absolutely dreadful.
Have you accidentally been cruel to an animal?
This question has been revived from way, way, way back on the b3ta messageboard when it was all fields round here.
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rob, Thu 6 Dec 2007, 11:13)
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Goose the MastiffWhen I lived in NYC I used to take weekend trips up to Salem, MA. If you havent been or dont know it, its a really cool but creepy place. I used to book a room at a B&B called "Morning Glory" (if you are ever in the Boston area, book it, the two guys that own it, life partners, make THE best danishes and coissants I have EVER had!).
So one morning, I take the pup, Goose, down to the waters edge to make the poo. The beach in Salem is covered in small stones that are coin shaped and are perfect for skipping, so while he was doing the business I was skimming stones on the harbor there.
Until Goose came up over the rise of the beach and saw what I was doing. I had been working with him on 'fetch' and he was an avid student. Well, he sees me throw the stone and goes after it.
Now, Goose didnt know the water wasnt a solid and charged headlong. Goose had a REALLY large head as a pup and when he ran, his nose was mere inches off the ground...a small wave clipped him on the nose and caused him literally to flip and land/sink into the 6 or 8" deep water.
When he emerged from the water, he would not look me in the eye. He had the saddest face I have ever seen on a dog and he was soaked.
Now THAT wouldnt have been cruelty...that would have been just unfortunate timing. When I attempted to skip another stone with him looking on? Impossible to resist the urge or Pavlovian reflex to charge after it? NOw THAT was cruel!
I have since made it up to him many times over, but he STILL will not get NEAR the water!
Cheers,
Citadel
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Citadel Because the world needs less morons, Wed 12 Dec 2007, 21:48,
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