Don’t worry, I understand that you didn’t reflexively attack Vick (that was a dig at PETA).

“Own” is a perfectly good word to use with animals, seeing as all the people I know with animals seem to be owned by their pets.

Anyone who puts up with my silliness is all right in my book.

Thanks for fixing the typo, and for the advice on the index page of my website. These are good to know – I hear different things from different people, and having never taken a computer class of any kind in my life, I can only trust what others tell me.

And yes, I am trying to get the word out about Animal Chaplains, and have stooped to cutting and pasting where I can. It saves a lot of time, rather than retyping the same thoughts over and over. Lazy? Yes. Effective? Also, yes (usually).

I understand your point on August 17 was that we should remember Michael Vick has not yet said he was guilty, and had not yet confessed. Of course, we know now that he has, and he is, but your point is well taken.

I think if you reread my post, you will see that I never accused Vick of this crime (at least I think so – I will have to go back and double check). I used the word “implicated”. Vick is a reminder of the disgustingly cruel crime, but my real point was about dogfighting itself. I also was recommending a positive approach (elevating the role of caring for animals to a sacred responsibility), instead of simply whining about it (I am not accusing anyone of doing that here). So, I hope you will reread MY POST and see that perhaps, you didn’t read it as carefully as you think you might have, as well.

As a dog lover (my old mutt is at my feet as we speak) I will spread the word of loving dogs to anyone who will listen, and I am not above putting in my two cents anywhere I have a forum. As this sweet old pooch looks at me, I know he would do the same for me, if only he could.

As for the spiders, I am guilty of not being sure about them. Have I killed spiders in my lifetime? Yes. Do I usually? No. I am fortunate to live in the mountain west with beautiful weather where I can pretty much open the door anytime and shoo them out. If I lived in Anchorage, I can’t say for sure if I would be so loving toward them.

You asked about the photos of cats and dogs and other cuddly things. Yes, those are my own personal bias, since that is what I own. Also, it is marketing. It I only had stag beetles and cockroaches on the first page, people would laugh at my site more than they already do. I am pretty thick-skinned because I love animals and believe in my work, but I can only take so much barking the Lord’s prayer – LOL.

I do have some pictures of some unusual pets on my links pages if you want to check them out (they were there when you wrote your response to me). There are rodents and snakes and amphibians and such. I know that insects are a very popular pet in Japan and China, and people there are probably just as attached to them as we are to cats and dogs (despite the fact that cats and dogs are considered food in many parts of China, and are tortured as much as in dogfighting, but that is another story altogether…) I couldn’t find a good picture of a tarantula, but in honor of Liquid Egg, I think I will look for one for my next page!

Thanks for the dialogue. I don’t mind my email displayed. I love what I do, and I am not afraid of dialogue.

Yours in furry, finned, feathered friendship,
Chaplain Nancy

P.S. I thought watching golf was boring. I can’t imagine a sloth fight! Yawn.

So yes, he’s pretty animal friendly.