FrostFrog

[Soledad]

New Zealand is spectacular. When I first came here all I could think was "it's like Narnia!!"

[Miss Meow]

Originally posted by Soledad
But I don't think anyone could mistake Pet Talk as a message board dedicated to social change. It's Pet Talk, it's not about world affairs, or sustainable development. It's meant to be light hearted, I get it, but on the few occasions that a heavy issue has been raised (in my tenure) I have seen things get sticky if they are not worded in the most sugar coated of ways. So be it, that's just the way it is here.

Interesting comments Soledad and thanks for contributing them. My personal belief is that kindness to self and others (human, animals and earth) is one of the greatest contributions to social change a person can make.

There are so many inspirational people in this forum who care for far too many pets that have been abused or left on the streets for dead, petitions for people charged with cruelty and there will no doubt be many tributes and comments/discussions on peace closer to September 11 as we are all from different parts of the world.

I think it's just a different type of social change. Politics and religion aren't the only ones

PS where in NZ are you from? We are thinking of going there for our next holiday.

Gini - if you make the trip to New Zealand, you may as well pop over to Australia too - only another three hours and plenty to see

[mugsy]

Soledad...I agree with you 100%. If I am one of the "problem children" please accept my apologies. Egos do seem to be a little ouchy on here sometimes. But, then, on most internet sites they can be. I agree that "deep" subjects need to be saved for someplace else. Thank you for your insightful thoughts.

[Soledad]

Hi Miss Meow.

I knew when I wrote that this was not a forum for social change that it would be a highly contentious statement. Let me clarify. Yes, small personal acts of kindness to animals are political statements. It's essential to the whole concept of animal rights. This is obvious. But I stand by my earlier point that this is not PETA (nor should it be...). This is not an organisation bent on protest and lobbying. It's a website for people to talk about how much they love their pets. In this way, it is not a major vehicle for change about how the world treats animals. But that is not to say that it cannot have some sort of impact in that direction.

Depending on what your definition of politics is, it can include pretty much anything. That's how I define it, as something pretty all encompassing and inclusive. To me, nearly every action is political, and religion or a general belief system fuels those actions. Being kind to animals, seems to me, to be highly political and dependent upon one's belief system.

Mugsy

Thanks for seeing my point. I know people disagree, but it's nice to know I'm not totally alone on this one. I don't know if deep subjects need to be kept out of here, but because of the mood and audience, it's probably best as it wouldn't be constructive.

[mugsy]

Ok....I'm having Frost Frog withdrawals...Quebec can't be THAT far!! lol

[Frostfrog]

Frostfrog withdrawals?

I suppose that Kuujjuaq, Quebec, is no farther away than any other place, once one gets on the net - but, I have been going hard from the time I get up early each morning until the time I go to bed early the next morning. And the internet connection here at Inuit Circumpolar media central is really, really, really slow so, up to now, all I have done is email.

But, tomorrow night I arrive home and after I spend a decade or two sleeping, hopefully with the black cat on my feet and my good woman at my side, I will get back on Cat of the Day and see if my dull brain can think up anything to say.

Kohala - normally, I do not back up to COTD's that I have missed, because my schedule is just too pressing. But, there has never been a Grasshopper on COTD before, so I will be backing up this time.

For what little they are worth, I will share my thoughts on the "debate" debate that got going briefly here.

I would visit COTD tonight, but it is 11:00 PM and I have many tasks to do yet before ending this day. Plus, even though nothing is happening tomorrow and the Alaska charter doesn't leave until after noon, I must get up early enough to go find a Kuujjuaq cat, for I have not yet had time to do so.

I have found plenty of dogs, however. Dogs are abundant all across the north.

[mugsy]

YEAH you're back!!! I hope you get caught up on your sleep and are back with us soon. You have such a great outlook on life. I look forward to your posts!! I also look forward to a good debate!! I LOVE debates...just ask my kids at school...they hate it when I debate with them because I beat them everytime, but they actually go back for more ammunition...little do they know that I do it on purpose to make them think and they never know exactly where I stand on issues because I can argue both sides and it drives them nuts! lol

Anyway...welcome home!!! Hi to Mrs. Frost Frog and the rest of the family.

[Soledad]

Let's see how you do against adults!!!

[SANDY FROST]

BE NICE NOW!

SANDY FROST

[mugsy]

Go for it dude!!! lol AAAAHHHHH how I love a challenge! what's the topic????

[Nomilynn]

I agree with Soledad too.. I think of this place as one to come to and unwind and have FUN!!! I think a friendly debate would be fun!

[Karen]

To have a friendly debate here, I would just have the following suggestions:

a. Keep it pet-related. after all, that's what Pet Talk is about!

b. Move it out of poor FrostFrog's thread, and put it in whichever "General" would fit the topic.

c. Silently vow to not take things personally yourself, and refrain from getting too emotional to think - or post - clearly.

And FrostFrog, I am SURE there are cat-folk in Quebec! I am part French-Canadian, and I picture my Great Uncle, who was both great, and my father's uncle. French was his first language. The family came to Massachusetts before he was born, but stayed in a very insular Quebecois community.Uncle Mac had a beloved cat, she wandered the farm, mouse-hunted in the barn, had a best-friend cow, and was spoiled absolutely rotten by Uncle Mac and Aunt Adrienne. The cat would sit on Mac's shoulder while they ate, and one bite went to Mac, and the next to the cat, she'd cleany and delicately eat right off his fork, never touching the fork itself. I know, that image WILL give some germ-concious folks the willies, but they both thrived!

MY French-Canadian family members had spoiled cats, surely you can find one up there!

[Frostfrog]

I did in fact find a Northern Quebec cat - a beautiful tuxedo that belonged to two exquisitely beautiful little girls of Inuit and French Candian blood. So, the trip was a success. I fear, however, that I am exhausted, am experiencing problems with my desktop computer that I am trying to fix (I am typing this on my laptop) and I must be in Anchorage early in the morning for a series of meetings that will last the next four days, so I am going to delay my return to COTD and any further comments just a bit longer.