I have been a member of PetTalk since March of 2001. Lots of things have happened during that time. Of course, 9/11 stands out. But lots of personal things as well. I have met some wonderful people. I have had lots of fun.

In fact, once upon a time that is what PetTalk was - fun. Sure, there was always some drama. There has been at least one marriage that I know of. There have been pets rescued, pets found new homes. There have also been some losses.

I think fondly of some of the fun - the Clam Juice thread always comes to mind. There was the "running amok" spree. There have been parties (I have hosted a few and attended a few more!) There have been people helping each other.

Some of the friends I've made are the best. I have toured Filoli (a must see - especially in the Spring!) the Winchester Mansion , eaten in Chinatown in San Francisco with PetTalk friends. Been to cat shows, two Oktoberfests (in Munich), Glasgow and the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Made up extra beds in my house for PetTalk visitors. I've said good-bye to two and four legged friends who left this world. I even sat in Mugsy's living room with her 11 very large dogs climbing all over us!

But there is one thing I did not do. I did not pay attention. Somewhere along the way the "rules" changed. It became different. There was still some fun, but there was a new element. Hard swinging, nose busting...bare knuckles. I've never backed off from a fight. So I was called a twit, ugly, stupid, commie and a list of names as long as your arm. And I gave back. I have strong convictions and do not see why I should back down.

But I did not pay attention. Until earlier this month. It was All Soul's Day. Someone posted a thread about a deceased PetTalker. Very nice. I replied that, in the spirit of the day, there were a couple of other PetTalkers who have died. Who I had the pleasure of meeting in person after meeting them on PetTalk. I was thrown off by the response. Clearly, my post was unwelcome. My suggestion to think of other late PetTalkers too was out of line.

I deleted my post. I thought it the right thing to do. I still think it was the right thing to do. There are some people who matter to me who would have been hurt if they had seen the response. Frankly, I think it would be a good idea if more posts were deleted.

If my post is unwelcome, if my thread brings out anger, hostility, offensiveness why not delete it? If something turns from fun to something very different - why leave it to fester? After all, it is my thread. My post.

I have deleted many of my posts and many of my threads. I hope to be able to save some of the ones that were so fun. I feel uncomfortable with the new rules. I feel somehow exposed with my threads and posts available to the new rules. No, I am not doing one of those dramatic "I'm leaving..." That would be silly. I am sorry for Karen and Paul. They work so hard. But time and all things change. So I'll sit back and wait for the next change. It should be interesting.