Off and on here, including a couple times that I know of recently, someone joins the board and perhaps asks questions or explains something they are doing with their pets that upsets, alarms, and angers many of us because we view it as improper or irresponsible pet care. Inevitably, these threads often turn into many of us on one "side" and the thread starter desperately defending themselves or simply getting nasty back to those responding.
Most of us here have VERY strong feelings for animals and emotions are quickly ignited when we see things that we perceive as harmful or irresponsible to an animal. The simple fact is, we cannot make everyone who might come here feel the same way we do about our pets. BUT, we do have a MUCH better chance of helping these animals out if we stay calm and polite, and do our best to educate without getting emotional or angry or sarcastic. I don't know of many people willing to listen to what someone else has to say if they feel attacked and on the defensive. I certainly know I would not be.
Now, there are times when some of us, even myself, suspect someone of simply "trolling" here, that is saying things to deliberately anger and upset us here. In this case, I think it is just as important to not fall into the trap of reacting the way the "troll" wishes. Someone with just this purpose in mind is going to leave that much quicker if they do not get the responses they are looking for. Also, unless there is irrefutable proof that this is the case, I would prefer to give what advice I could in case there really are animals involved that could benefit. If there are not and they "take me in," that's fine. I doubt a true troll would get much satisfaction out of calm advice given.
My plea is this: For the animal's sakes please try to keep these things in mind, please try to not react with anger that will simply close the owner's mind, make them leave, or simply turn the threads into a nasty fight. Please put the animals whose lives are at stake here as a priority. You may not like the person, may be disgusted or saddened by what they are doing, but ultimately the most we can do in these situations is offer our knowledge and advice in a way that might make someone consider our words. If they choose not to, or get nasty despite our being polite, I'd suggest to drop it and move on, and not feed into the negative behavior.
To anyone who reads this and takes my words into consideration, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is intended 100% to be for the animals involved in these situations.
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promise to take a few minutes to reflect on what is said in the thread, and only post when I feel I truly can contribute advice that may help the animal and the poster.
12/02
and would like to keep it that way. 
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