Me and PETA, we ain’t seeing eye to eye.

          You know, PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Now IF they stood for what their name implies, I would have no problem with them. IF they indeed cared about the actual ethical treatment of animals, I might even join them. But when they boast one name, and then actually stand for the ridiculous ideas that they are continuously promoting . . . we have a problem.

          The Ethical treatment of animals . . . am I the only one who believes that this means making sure dogs and cats are spayed and neutered; trying to control the stray cat and dog problem; not allowing the cruel treatment of animals; not promoting the fighting of animals; and taking care of our pets to the best of our abilities? I mean, this is considered ethical treatment, right?

          Obviously not according to PETA standards. To PETA, the ethical treatment of animals means "total animal liberation". That’s right . . . do not own a pet, do not care for a pet, do not love a pet. Don’t keep them in zoos or circuses. Basically, have nothing at all to do with animals.

          Their web site has this quote: " . . . we believe that it would have been in the animals’ best interests if the institution of ‘pet keeping’ — i.e., breeding animals to be kept and regarded as ‘pets’ — never existed". They go on to say that pet ownership is a "selfish desire to possess animals and receive love from them".

          Basically, they're telling me how very selfish I am to keep Paco in the warm house, feed him, take him to the vet, buy him chew toys and let him sleep on the chair, in the bed and have run of the house. They're saying that by doing these things, I'm "forcing" him to love me, you know . . . because I'm so selfish and all. Evidently, they don't know Paco, and don't realize that it is HE who owns US. They don't know that to keep him at my house is likely saving the rest of the world from catering to his every whim.

          What am I supposed to do in order to keep within the "ethical treatment" of animals rules? Open the gate and let him have free run of the town? Put him on a plane and send him far, far away?

          While they say they do not endorse "setting them free", they don’t give me any suggestions as to how I can follow their ideals of ethical treatment of any of the four canines living at my house right now. Oh wait . . . yes they do, you just have to look for it and follow their example . . . I can euthanize them to put them out of the misery of the horrible treatment they are receiving by being "owned" by me, just like they do to many, many of the strays and other animals they get hold of.

          You see, PETA is against the "no kill movement" and euthanizes most of the animals surrendered to them, or that they "rescue". In 2005, they picked up or had surrendered to them, 2,138 companion animals (you know, dogs and cats). Of that number, they euthanized 1,946. Do not even tell me that 91 percent of the animals they got their hands on were so sick, so unhealthy and so vicious that they had to be killed, because I ain’t buying it.

          Yes, they build shelters . . . and that’s good. But what the heck are they putting in there? I mean, if we’re wanting the world’s animals to be free, why do we need shelters? Just kill’em.

          They are against animal testing in any form. They promote in vitro cell research, embryonic stem cell research, and have even volunteered to be test subjects themselves. Good for them. I say take those volunteers and set a few monkeys free. It’s all ethical baby.

          Of course we’re all aware of their "no fur" stance and "don’t eat meat" platforms, to each his own I say. I don’t care one way or another, and I really don’t see how any of this comes within the boundaries of "ethical" treatment.

          They do not want us to drink milk.

          They do not want animals in circuses or zoos.

          They do not want seeing eye dogs used for the blind.

          They do not want live animals used by the U.S. Military for training.

          They want Hamburg, New York to change their name.

          They want the Pet Shop Boys band to change their name to Rescue Shelter Boys.

          They don’t want dogs to herd sheep.

          I dunno. I’m thinkin’ somebody needs to ride "herd" on this group. Some of the publicity stunts they pull, statements they make and ridiculous issues they raise are totally off the wall.

          Ethical treatment for animals . . . sure, but not by THESE standards.

          We live on a big ole’ planet and us humans and those animals have got to co-exist, right? I don’t know about you, but as one of the humans, I prefer that it go as smoothly as possible.