Readers old enough to remember the Watergate scandal remember Deep Throat, the senior government official who worked with The Washington Post reporters covering the story. (He was later revealed to be Mark Felt, associate director of the FBI.)
In the movie "All the President's Men," the Deep Throat character advised Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward (played by Robert Redford) to follow the money. He was referring to the secret Nixon campaign money that was used to pay the Watergate burglars.
And that's our mini-history lesson. This post is about following the money behind the out-of-control barking plague.
First in our rogue's gallery of big money pots: The pet industry. In the U.S., it's a big money-maker. To the point where estimates point to a 2015 expenditure of $60-plus billion. Yes, that's billion with a B. That's how much Americans spend on their pets. In one year.
Keep in mind that this is the same industry that comes up with logic-bending terminology like "pet parents." That's right. If you have a dog, you're Rover's mommy. Or daddy.
All I can say is "Puh-LEEZ!" And I'm not the only one.
But think of what happens if we, the neighbors, are kept awake by Rover's barking. We try to talk to Rover's owners and how dare we do such a thing! Who are we to question the precious utterances of their little four-legged baby?
If we take our complaint to our local animal control agency, we hit another roadblock. Which is the name of this agency.
If your area is like mine, it's no longer in the control business, it's all about animal care. Which means that it has placed the welfare of animals over public health and safety. Can you say "Dereliction of Duty?" I sure can -- because I have experienced it. Many times, in fact.
What's behind this change of focus? Well, it's time to meet the second big money pot: The animal rights extremist movement. It's the movement that places the rights of dogs above humans, often with tragic results.
What's needed to counter these two big pots of money? How about a human rights movement?
THE ANSWER IS MORE DOG WORSHIP! MICK HEIL!
ReplyDeleteThe answer is more xylitol treats. I am SO DONE.
ReplyDeleteI used to live in your home town. I remember many years ago my next door neighbor owned a pit bull and a yard full of dirt. The dog barked all day and ran against the brick wall separating our houses, jumping into the way and trying to get up over it the entire day long. It pounded against the wall that way for hours every day and the bricks were finally starting to move (there was no metal scaffolding until the bricks).
ReplyDeleteI wish I have done something more proactive, but I admit to being afraid of a big nasty man and his big nasty dog. I thought about my options. I never went in my back yard. Finally, he moved, and my new neighbors had a cat. Never was I more thrilled.
Yup, Tucson....I know what you mean.
I live in a Tucson neighborhood that is out-of-control when it comes to barking dogs. The county doesn't help, the guilty owners don't care and the problem is getting worse as more and more people get animals and fail to care for them. I am literally surrounded by barking dogs. Some bark during the day and some bark at night. The combined effect is pretty much round the clock noise. Wish my neighbors would stand up and complain, many are afraid and would rather turn-up their TVs and never go outside. Don't buy or rent property in the SW quad of the Palo Verde Neighborhood unless you love to listen to barking dogs 24/7!
ReplyDeleteI sympathize. I've spoken with many, many, MANY of my fellow Tucsonans. Very few barking fans among them. But do they stand up and complain? Nope.
DeleteIt's as if dogs and their owners are in charge of this town.
Pet parents was a con from the pet products advertising agency. They thought if they could get pet owners to feel 'parental guilt' they could sell more shit to them. And it worked- better than they EVER though possible!
ReplyDelete