In memory of the departed

[Wezil]

Wow, I didn't mean to start any hard feelings. I just thought it was nice someone was thinking about the little ones.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Wezil
Wow, I didn't mean to start any hard feelings.

I'm sorry. This is still an emotional subject for me and I let my anger get the better of me. It was well deserved anger and I will not apoligize to either of them for what I said but regardless I should have found a more constructive way to express it. I am sorry if I derailed your thread however.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I am sorry if I derailed your thread however.

Do you really think I mind?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
This is still an emotional subject for me and I let my anger get the better of me.

My namesake died a year or two ago (bless his little ferret soul) but he lives on at Poly.

[Winston]

I'm hoping all my old Civ II saves make it into Heaven, but where is the church that will give me some reassurance? Or at least a little blessing. That's not much to ask, now that we've started down this road..

Oh, and that nearly finished box of ice cream in my freezer. It would mean a lot just to know that it won't be completely forgotten.

Seriously, the fact that you're immensely fond of something doesn't automatically make it any concern of the church.

However unfair it may seem to pet enthusiasts, pigeon fanciers and puppet ventriloquists - the Christian faith is currently reserved for, you know, Christians. I must admit I'm in favour of keeping it that way. If this is causing offense to anyone, I don't really think I'm the one at fault.

[Winston]

I should add that the church issue aside, I'm not unsympathetic to people who've lost a pet that was very dear to them. DinoDoc, Wezil, others, I'm not out to make fun of your feelings for your parted friends. But people who seriously expect the Christian church to start encompassing cats', dogs' and rabbits' spirits because it would make them feel better is.. something else.

[Wezil]

I'm an atheist.

[Slade Wilson]

On this site, too?!

[Wezil]

I knew you'd be surprised.

[Wezil]

Winston's just bitter.

Did you not have any pets Winston, or did no one comfort you when they died?

[Shrapnel12]

Consider me among the emotionally retarded. I've had plenty of pets in my time, but I'm sorry, I just don't get it. Sure I feel sad when a loved pet dies, but it's still just an animal. Are people really such losers to so heavily invest their emotions in pets? How about something more constructive like having children, volunteering to help the unfortunate, or spending more time with your family?

[Wezil]

You looking to get added to my sig?

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Shrapnel12
How about something more constructive like having children...

Please, Poly people, don't do this. We're overpopulated enough as it is. Just pretend your pet is a child and be happy; there's a reason we think animals are so cute.

[Winston]

Originally posted by Wezil
Winston's just bitter.

Absolutely. I was born bitter. One of the neighbours shot the stork as it took off from the roof. What a mess it was.

No really, here is a true story. During the war, WWII, most essentials were rationed, and a thing like meat was hard to come by for ordinary people. My granddad took to keeping rabbits in their little garden, as a supplement. My dad and his younger brother would play with the rabbits of course, and only my dad was in on the deal about their eventual.. fate. My uncle was born in '34, so he must've been 6, maybe 7 at the time. His favourite rabbit was the biggest one, and he called it "Olsen" (a very common surname here). "Come on, Olsen, I've got a nice carrot for you!", "You want back in the cage, Olsen?" and so on. A genuine pet.

So when the time came for the first rabbit to be turned into dinner, my granddad naturally took the biggest one, poor Olsen. He couldn't have been aware of its relationship with his youngest son. But over dinner, my dad inquired as to which rabbit they were having. "The biggest one", said granddad, "you have to start with the biggest one." "But that's Olsen.." said my dad with a worried look toward his brother.

But my uncle, unmoved by anything other than the delicious course of rabbit before him, cleaned his plate in silence, passed it to my grandmom and said, "I'd like a little more Olsen, please."

[Wezil]

Good story.

I've eaten an animal that had a name. I know what you're saying.