Spay Anything

[vovat]

I hear that Chicago has proposed a law requiring people to have their dogs and cats neutered, unless they (the people) have breeders' licenses. I don't know that making it a law is really a good idea, but I do have to wonder why so many people DON'T get their pets fixed. I guess it's one thing if you actually have a plan as to what to do with the puppies or kittens, and I can sort of see money being an issue (although I believe there are clinics that will perform the operation on the cheap). But there seem to be quite a few people who are just too lazy, or who think that it's somehow mutilating the animal, or violating its rights. Yes, because your cat ENJOYS going into heat, right? Of course, the real question is why you're supposed to get a dog or cat fixed, but a horse has to be broken. Also, how come when something's sent by car, it's called a "parkway"; but when it's sent by boat, it's called a "driveway"? Or something like that.

And while I'm on the topic of pets, the dog-show mentality that there are standards for good representatives of various breeds bothers me. I mean, if you were to say a person had to be a certain height and weight and carry himself or herself in a certain manner, wouldn't a lot of people get righteously pissed off? So why do that with dogs? Speaking of breeds, it seems like the big trend now is to create designer breeds and then give them goofy portmanteau names: labradoodles, cockapoos, chidachses, dorgies, chi-danes...what? A chihuahua can't breed with a Great Dane? Next you'll be telling me there's no such thing as a hippogriff! Seriously, though, you see a lot of those designer cross-breeds these days, but not so many mutts. Which is kind of a shame, since I think mutts are generally healthier.

Comments

[jenhime.livejournal.com]

We do say that about people: modeling, beauty pageants, movie stars. (At least, it holds true for women.)

And large parts of the world, people still selectively breed themselves too.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's largely the same kind of thing, isn't it? And sometimes people are forced to participate in those things against their will, just like dogs are.

[zimbra1006.livejournal.com]

A dachshund and chihuahua is also a "chiweenie!" And I always thought a cockapoo should be a cockadoodle. But yes, all that is just silly.

I do think dog shows are weird, especially since a lot of the breeds have to have such ridiculous hairstyles that no one would ever keep their dog in (ie, floor-length cocker spaniel hair) just to be show-quality. Certain colors or spot patterns can also disqualify a dog, which is pretty weird if it's a purebred dog.

[zimbra1006.livejournal.com]

Oh, all that said, I do still watch dog shows, because I like looking at dogs. :p

[vovat.livejournal.com]

Couldn't a "chiweenie" also be another name for a chili dog? {g} Seriously, I'm not too keen on dachshunds being referred to as "wiener dogs." I think of it as kind of a slur. But then, I married into a family that loves dachshunds.

And I always thought a cockapoo should be a cockadoodle.

Yeah, but where would the D come from? Maybe a cockadoodle should be the offspring of a cocker spaniel and a labradoodle. Or perhaps a cockatoo and a doodlebug. Or a chicken and a Cheese Doodle.

I do think dog shows are weird, especially since a lot of the breeds have to have such ridiculous hairstyles that no one would ever keep their dog in

I think the poodles that are trimmed to look like topiary look kind of ridiculous.