Why do some people feel the need to decorate their pets for Christmas? Today, I saw three dogs sporting wreaths around their necks, including one made of holly. Holly bites. It can hurt you. Why would anyone do this to an animal they purport to love? Another was wearing red antlers and trying to hide behind his laughing owner.
I also saw a cat wearing an Elizabethan collar of ruffly red organza to match her four little red booties. The cat was crouching miserably on a ledge outside the local hamburger joint. I slipped her collar off and she eyed me with gratitude, then held up one of her paws so I could remove the nasty little footwear. I helped her out of her finery, left it on the ledge next to her, and resumed walking.
An angry woman came barreling out of the greasy spoon and pounced on her cat while glaring stink at me. As I walked away, I saw her cramming the wreath back over the cat's head.
I wanted to tell her how cruel it is to force an animal into hurtful (and tasteless) clothing. I fully believe that the cat was at least as embarrassed by the tackiness of her getup as she was physically uncomfortable in it. She was probably blushing under her fur.
Animals are not accessories. They are living creatures. In many cases, what is more, they are smarter and more sensitive than humans. They are certainly more sensitive than humans who would inflict this kind of torture on innocent dogs and cats.
Such fools deserve to have their best shoes chewed beyond wearability, their favorite clothing clawed to shreds, and their beds pooped upon. While they are in them.
Animals of the world, unite. Only 13 chewing, clawing and pooping days until Christmas.
