As is my custom, I like to share important messages with my readers.
Today, I want to share a conversation with an animal rights group leader a few hours ago. It was about (yes, still) whether or not Zip should be required to sleep inside of the house at night and, for that matter, all day. I think the conversation is helpful in many ways:
Message:”You, Jon, pretend to be nice, but you are heartless scum; I hope you die or go to jail for your cruelty in keeping that poor cat outside on cold winter nights...” — Jess.
Jon’s response: ‘Jess, thanks for your thoughtful post. I want to promise you that I will die, don’t worry about it. Maria will take good care of Zip when I’m gone. Thanks for thinking of me, and a word to the wise in return: if Jesus does come back as promised, you might want to watch your ass. He asked people to be nice. Best, Jon.’
Zip’s response. Scratch me!
Shouldn’t Jess be better off saving those poor animals that are euthanized than worrying about Zip. He would be more than irritated with my grandfather that had many barn cats and they didn’t get to come in the house. Doesn’t he have a better way to spend his time?
Betty, thanks. There are some people you really can’t talk to rationally or sensibly..they don’t want a conversation; they like hating people, and the truth never matters.
GREAT RESPONSE!! 😀
Thanks Jeanne…
I think Zip and all your animals are lucky to live on a such caring and beautiful farm. I think Zip looks very healthy and happy. Glad you don’t let the negative Nancy’s get to you. You and Maria are wonderful people, there should be
more people like you both in our world, it would be a much better place.
Thanks, Debra; we always need to laugh and take the world lightly…If I took these people seriously, I would probably be dead..So I have a little fun instead of seething or hiding..
We are lucky to have him; he’s a great cat a wonderful barn cat.. and a great pal!
Loved the tone of your reply. It gave me some good ideals next time I have to respond to an idiot.
Thanks, Janet; we have to laugh a bit, or we will otherwise be one of them…
We love animals because they are different from us, but magically let us into their lives, and form relationships with us. But then some of us start giving them human attributes. I know Zip is living exactly the life he needs. His basic needs are taken care of. He is not a tiny human who needs a coat, hat and gloves when it’s colder; but safe places on the farm to pick for himself which you have enhanced. It is very sad to see the disconnect people have between animal’s real lives and the humanized lives they think animals need.
Very well put Dana thanks
I’m takiing notes on how you keep your cool when these nutjobs harass you. I have been on the recieving end of completely insane comments about harassing whales and dolphins – when the animlals have come over to check us out when we are on ANCHOR and not going anywhere! They truly have no experience of being on the water at all, and yet are cetecean experts. They seem to assume that all animals flee humans all the time- and would certainly never believe that most ceteceans and pinnapeds are very curious and want to interact. Let alone undestand how a gray whale would want to come over to show her baby to us so we could ooo and ahhh.
I sort of came unglued. It’s not worth it.
Thanks Megan, it really isn’t worth it. We have to be able to laugh and feel some empathy for people who are like this. I’m working on it. It’s been actually good for me.
Thank you, Jon.
You sure do attract the kooks. If Jess knew you, she wouldn’t have made such an idiotic statement. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or feel angry. I think I’ll go with laughter!
I say smile and feel some pity
I am not a psychiatrist but it seems to me that someone who writes this sort of comment does it from a place of hurt. Maybe they identify with Zip and mistakenly view him as being shut out or rejected. It is so sad that there are so many people hurting without even understanding why.
I know the look of a happy cat even if I wasn’t aware of your and Maria’s devotion to your animals.
I think this is very wise Caroline. I do think these people have been broken in someway and I do feel empathy for them. They also do a great deal of harm, especially to animals.
Jon, Since I live in South Texas I did wonder about a cat being outside in such cold weather. But you have had other cats for many years and neighbors have barn cats, so you “know” the situation better than someone from the south. Zip has a great life.
Thanks, Lidge it’s good to remember the zip has a heated cat house in the barn for whenever it is cold. Our other barn cats would never have one of that either he barely uses it.
Your response made my day, Jon! Loved it! Broke out laughing! 🙂 (Coming from someone who was formerly a minister many, many years ago, before going into social work. Church politics is some of the ugliest around.)
Thanks Chad I think anytime you put three people together they were going to be politics, even where you don’t expect them to be
That is HYSTERICAL … 🙂 thanks for a good laugh tonight Jon!!! Jess really does have quite an expansive vocabulary now doesn’t he or she ?? LOL My “barn cat” Marley just showed up in the horse barn one day with 2 kittens in tow and claimed me as her new meal ticket. I found good homes for the kittens: 1 is still next door and is 20 yrs old now. Marley got spayed, shots and had a great outdoor life for the next 17 years. Hunting, prowling, patrolling the acreage, and playing with snow in the driveway during our ‘cool” Minnesota Winters – she loved it!! Zip and his escapades remind me of her – she had the same secret opening in the hay bales too! So fun 🙂 Good post as always – Nice job keeping the peckerheads at bay !!!!
Thanks Ann it’s a gift to hear from somebody who actually knows something about Katz and Barn cats. I appreciate it. It gives me hope.
My husband and I recently moved out into the country, a dream come true, and fed by the many books of your I read over the years. We are considering a barn cat. They are available to adopt under the title “barn cats” for much less at our local pet adoption/rescue, yet I hesitate. I’ve adopted dogs they ran us through such a gauntlet of scrutiny and weren’t very kind, that we got our last dog from a reputable family based breeder. Is it smarter to just get a kitten from a country neighbor? Anyhow, I still appreciate your columns when I remember to read them! My best to you.
Some barn cats you’ll never see but some attach overtime. If you have rodents or rats, they’re the best thing they love their independence and they love to be outdoors. I’m thrilled with a zip. He’s been a great cat for us and he’s having a great time.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Great response, Jon!
I recently heard that cat rescues in Germany will not allow adoptions WITHOUT access to outside. Gives a little more insight into how subjective this all is.
People like this are the reason a lot of people don’t like the animal rights movement. Everyone needs to use common sense and as anyone can see Zip is well cared for. This person could better use his time getting involved with doing something to better animals lives who are actually being abused. Common sense people! Use some common sense!
Jess needs to worry about something other than Zip. He gets more love and care than most indoor cats and is living his best life. Jess also needs to learn how to treat her fellow human beings. Snarky, judgmental comments are not the appropriate path.
Excellent response, Jon! I often find people like your critic to have little understanding of or experience with animals, certainly farm animals, and a love for signaling their own virtue manifested by trashing others.