Bistro Bijou

[UnderYourSpell]

Will you sign?

This isn't poetry and although it purports to be it isn't art either. I know this is supposed to be a fun place but I make no apologies for raising a subject that should tear at the heart of any right thinking person on this planet.
A man in Spain (well, i say man) took a dog from the street tied it to a rope put it in an "art" museum and watched it as it starved to death.

http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html

I don't know how to link YouTube but if you can bear the watch you can find it on

YouTube - Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, Bienarte, Maltratador de Animales.

 

[Anschul]

This isn't poetry and although it purports to be it isn't art either. I know this is supposed to be a fun place but I make no apologies for raising a subject that should tear at the heart of any right thinking person on this planet.
A man in Spain (well, i say man) took a dog from the street tied it to a rope put it in an "art" museum and watched it as it starved to death.

http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html

I don't know how to link YouTube but if you can bear the watch you can find it on

YouTube - Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, Bienarte, Maltratador de Animales.

I'm in!!!!

 

[RhymeSmith]

I don't know how to link YouTube but if you can bear the watch you can find it on

YouTube - Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, Bienarte, Maltratador de Animales.

In the past I've been accused of running a nursing home for old dogs. I've buried more 16-21 year old pets than I care to remember, and it breaks my heart every time. I'm sorry, I won't watch the video, but I'll sign the petition.

Rhymesmith

 

[champagne1982]

The petition is to stop the Honduran government from exhibiting this piece of defecation's work in an international show. I'm pleased to be one of over 2,000,000 people stopping this one. Now, if we can have Vargas arrested and treated in similar fashion in the name of Art, I'd believe in the power of the internet. We could entitle the piece Not Lobster, But Justice is Served.

 

[Homburg]

I searched for it. Started watching it, and could not believe the pretentious nature of the piece, the horror of it. This is not art, not beauty, not absurdity, it's not even worthwhile antinomian behaviour. It's just plain vile.

 

[champagne1982]

I searched for it. Started watching it, and could not believe the pretentious nature of the piece, the horror of it. This is not art, not beauty, not absurdity, it's not even worthwhile antinomian behaviour. It's just plain vile.

What's worse, people allowed the cruelty to continue...

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I couldn't watch it just the picture on the still broke my heart. My husband warns me to keep quiet if we go anywhere that has animals performing because I have spoken out in the past at dolphins and whales living their lives out in tiny pools when they should have the freedom of the oceans

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I've been given my list

He has given me my list he says he's not a poet but I reckon he has done fine just the way it is .. a morning for tears one way or another

Portrait of Annie

My blondie sometimes silly
infuriating embarrassing
in her need to fight for justice.
Life isn't fair
but my Annie won't accept it.
Maddening, lazy, selfish
has to have the last word,
life's too short for housework
yet cooks like a dream
when she feels like it.
Kind a good listener, comforting
when days are hard.
All I ever wanted, worth
the waiting years to find her
and I love her more than
I think she will ever realise.

 

[champagne1982]

Too bad you can't convince the promoters of events involving live animals to stop planning with and hiring these providers. Don't use products who work with animal trainers in ads or support companies who hire the same services. Especially, ask your hubby to stop buying tickets to those venues that involve such shows.

Good zoos should be the only investment tax payers be asked to advocate animal captivity in, that is of creatures other than our already domesticated pets and farm/ranch stocks.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

The whale/dolphin show was at a zoo in Canada and I wouldn't have gone if I had known beforehand and Ron said it was lucky they didn't kick us out! The warning for me to be quiet was in Majorca when one of the shows put on inside our hotel was performing parrots. He doesn't knowingly buy tickets to such things he's got more sense he knows what my reaction will be

 

[champagne1982]

I'm so glad to know that he doesn't wittingly go out of his way to support these events. I'll bet he'd have a lot more fun if he joined you in protest rather than hiding in embarassment. I'll bet we'd have a rawkin' raucous time of it going through West Edmonton Mall. They've changed their dolphin tanks to one holding seals, as if that's more excusable.

I am sorry that the marine parks and zoos are still using the big sea mammals in their displays. On the other hand, the tank you see is only a small part of the facility housing them. Usually, (I say this because this is the propaganda I've been fed my whole life), the animals in a zoo are kept healthy and aren't abused in any way and most zoos participate in captive breeding programs designed to help rescue a species genetically and in the world population.

That being said, animal cruelty is obscene and should not be endorsed in any manner. In this I believe we are in agreement.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

I am not against zoos in fact I have been to some very good ones and for the most part they do a very good job of preserving species that are endangered in the wild. There is a very good one on the Channel Island of Jersey started by the author Gerald Durrell specifically set up to breed as opposed to just being a tourist attraction. What I can't stand is animals performing especially away from their natural environment like those poor monkeys used by photographers or parrots riding bicycles

 

[normal jean]

I live near Columbia Sc. We are the proud "owners" of The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens. one of the top-rated zoos in the country.

A few years back, Riverbanks acquired a few gorillas. Males and females, some young, some older. My husband and I went to see the new exhibit. It was the saddest thing I ever saw. A female gorilla, sat with her back to the enormous glass viewing window. She was staring off towards the open sky, watching an airplane in the distance. She followed it with her face, gradual movements, until hubby nor I could see it, then she hung her head. I believe that she knew she was a prisoner, regardless how nice and complete the humans felt her confines to be.

I'm sorry. Maybe I attribute emotions to creatures that some people feel do not have, but that poor creature was in a sort of pain, like deep in her soul. She had three little dung cakes she was stacking up repeatedly, then scattering, almost as an afterthought. It was sad, traumatic. I refuse to go back to the zoo and see creatures held in captivity that should be free somewhere, even if it means their inevitable extinction, freedom accompanying death is better than death in captivity.




...and they bought up all the land
near the river, near the river
and we can't go skinny dipping
anymore....

 

[champagne1982]

I live near Columbia Sc. We are the proud "owners" of The Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens. one of the top-rated zoos in the country.

A few years back, Riverbanks acquired a few gorillas. Males and females, some young, some older. My husband and I went to see the new exhibit. It was the saddest thing I ever saw. A female gorilla, sat with her back to the enormous glass viewing window. She was staring off towards the open sky, watching an airplane in the distance. She followed it with her face, gradual movements, until hubby nor I could see it, then she hung her head. I believe that she knew she was a prisoner, regardless how nice and complete the humans felt her confines to be.

I'm sorry. Maybe I attribute emotions to creatures that some people feel do not have, but that poor creature was in a sort of pain, like deep in her soul. She had three little dung cakes she was stacking up repeatedly, then scattering, almost as an afterthought. It was sad, traumatic. I refuse to go back to the zoo and see creatures held in captivity that should be free somewhere, even if it means their inevitable extinction, freedom accompanying death is better than death in captivity.




...and they bought up all the land
near the river, near the river
and we can't go skinny dipping
anymore....

I think you've attributed the right intelligence and emotions to animals. We've got 2 dogs and I cannot call them dumb animals without the capability of knowing or feeling, they are really mischevious and I am positive they strut away in glee when they've played a joke on the humans in the house. Empathy with an animal who is obviously feeling trapped is only possible if we, as humans, can leave our egos behind (in the tree we climbed out of) and accept there are different ways of being intelligent.

What will the aliens think when we finally make extraterrestrial contact?

 

[Homburg]

A few years back, Riverbanks acquired a few gorillas. Males and females, some young, some older. My husband and I went to see the new exhibit. It was the saddest thing I ever saw. A female gorilla, sat with her back to the enormous glass viewing window. She was staring off towards the open sky, watching an airplane in the distance. She followed it with her face, gradual movements, until hubby nor I could see it, then she hung her head. I believe that she knew she was a prisoner, regardless how nice and complete the humans felt her confines to be.

I'm sorry. Maybe I attribute emotions to creatures that some people feel do not have, but that poor creature was in a sort of pain, like deep in her soul. She had three little dung cakes she was stacking up repeatedly, then scattering, almost as an afterthought. It was sad, traumatic. I refuse to go back to the zoo and see creatures held in captivity that should be free somewhere, even if it means their inevitable extinction, freedom accompanying death is better than death in captivity.

Back in the 70's my dad was stationed near Seattle, WA. There was a particular department store that had a gorilla in a glass enclosure in the entranceway. I can't remember the gimmick, but it was something cheesy.

I was 5 years old at the time, and I still remember clearly looking at that poor, miserable primate and telling my mom that he looked sad, and that I didn't like this place. It just tore at my heart. My mom listened, as I don't remember us ever going back.

I can think of a few zoos that are worthwhile. The zoological gardens in Norfolk are rather nice, and the Virginia Living Museum is brilliant. Grandfather Mountain in NC is a truly beautiful place, and their animals seem cheerful and well taken care of.

Places like you describe are horrific, and I agree. As much as it would pain me deeply to realise the extinction of such beautiful creatures, it breaks my heart to see them miserable in captivity.

 

[LeBroz]

Back in the 70's my dad was stationed near Seattle, WA. There was a particular department store that had a gorilla in a glass enclosure in the entranceway. I can't remember the gimmick, but it was something cheesy.

I was 5 years old at the time, and I still remember clearly looking at that poor, miserable primate and telling my mom that he looked sad, and that I didn't like this place. It just tore at my heart. My mom listened, as I don't remember us ever going back.

I can think of a few zoos that are worthwhile. The zoological gardens in Norfolk are rather nice, and the Virginia Living Museum is brilliant. Grandfather Mountain in NC is a truly beautiful place, and their animals seem cheerful and well taken care of.

Places like you describe are horrific, and I agree. As much as it would pain me deeply to realise the extinction of such beautiful creatures, it breaks my heart to see them miserable in captivity.

I know of that gorilla and its ultimate fate. I believe the place he'd been kept had shut down and they didn't know what to do with him and for a time he lived in isolation. Finally, he was acquired by Zoo Atlanta. It took a team of specialists some time to get him acclimated to living in an open space, Zoo Atlanta's gorilla habitat. He eventually worked up the nerve to roam the habitat and gradually began to interact with the other gorillas. He eventually got 'busy' with the female gorillas and successfully mated. I don't know if he still survives or if he finally died, but he did finally have a more natural life.

.
.

 

[Angeline]

This isn't poetry and although it purports to be it isn't art either. I know this is supposed to be a fun place but I make no apologies for raising a subject that should tear at the heart of any right thinking person on this planet.
A man in Spain (well, i say man) took a dog from the street tied it to a rope put it in an "art" museum and watched it as it starved to death.

http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html

I don't know how to link YouTube but if you can bear the watch you can find it on

YouTube - Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, Bienarte, Maltratador de Animales.

Done. Signed. Can't watch the video, but I'm glad to have the opportunity to sign the petition. There's a special place in hell reserved for assholes like that.

 

[Homburg]

I know of that gorilla and its ultimate fate. I believe the place he'd been kept had shut down and they didn't know what to do with him and for a time he lived in isolation. Finally, he was acquired by Zoo Atlanta. It took a team of specialists some time to get him acclimated to living in an open space, Zoo Atlanta's gorilla habitat. He eventually worked up the nerve to roam the habitat and gradually began to interact with the other gorillas. He eventually got 'busy' with the female gorillas and successfully mated. I don't know if he still survives or if he finally died, but he did finally have a more natural life.

.
.

Thanks for that news. I'd often wondered what happened to him, and am darned glad to hear that he got out of that hateful box.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

In Jersey Zoo the gorillas live in a large enclosure in a family group from the big silver back to the small youngsters. One day a small boy managed to fall several feet into the enclosure and lay very still. A very large gorilla slowly approached him and while the crowd gasped and shuddered, tentatively reached out with one finger and touched him. When other gorillas became interested they were chased away by this female gorilla. Keepers finally tempted all of them inside with food and got him out .. he had a broken arm and slight concussion but apart from that no harm had come to him from the gorillas no aggression had been shown to him only curiosity from the others and compassion from the one who stood guard over him till help came. A bystander filmed what happened and it was shown on television

 

[Homburg]

In Jersey Zoo the gorillas live in a large enclosure in a family group from the big silver back to the small youngsters. One day a small boy managed to fall several feet into the enclosure and lay very still. A very large gorilla slowly approached him and while the crowd gasped and shuddered, tentatively reached out with one finger and touched him. When other gorillas became interested they were chased away by this female gorilla. Keepers finally tempted all of them inside with food and got him out .. he had a broken arm and slight concussion but apart from that no harm had come to him from the gorillas no aggression had been shown to him only curiosity from the others and compassion from the one who stood guard over him till help came. A bystander filmed what happened and it was shown on television

Of course, they're gorillas in a British zoon.

Silverback: By jove, one of them fell in.
Beta female: Oh my, that's awful. We should see if the poor dear is well.
Alpha female: You will do no such thing. Murray, you get away from it now. They carry diseases, you know. You'll catch your death!

 

[unpredictablebijou]

Of course I signed, and of course I couldn't possibly watch the video.

There are numerous people guilty for this, let's remember. One fucked-up piece of soulless shit would not have been able to do this without the support of the museum, those who attended the exhibit, the general populace and the legal system which obviously did not have or did not enforce animal cruelty laws. There's a whole culture to blame here.

Off to write another check to my local Humane Society. I really don't have the extra scratch at the moment, but fuck it. I gotta do something.

Bistro Poetry Challenge for today:

Write about your pets.

Tell me all about them. Tell me hero stories about rescued animals. Tell me how much you love the four-leggeds. Let's balance this anger with an ever-expanding cloud of immense gratitude and determination.

brightest blessings,
bj

 

[Homburg]

A black and tan tail
sticking out of the closed
mouth of a smiling golden lab
attached to a ball of angry
fluff soaked with Jupe-drool

Tiny feast of rage angry
at the world
righteous mini-fury
directed at mouthy tormentor
and Tammy Terrifying

One too many wet spots
on the bed, how she
hated Tammy.

You had sex?
Wet bed for you!

Angry fluff ball comes
to live with me, and
owned the house before
we did. Mine, she says
with twitching tail

Drool is slowly cleaned
away, forgotten and
angry kitty becomes
dainty Sequel. Refusal to
give in is won over
by refusal to give up

--

She met me at the door when I came home
She slept curled against me at night
She would not leave me be when I was down.

It's been seven years, and I'm still tearing up as I write this.

 

[Anschul]

Folks, I don't mean to step on Homburg's passionate work. It's brilliant.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn't add my piece to the gorilla story. I did sign the petition, almost as soon as Annie posted it. Thanks, Annie for calling this travesty to our attention. It reminds me of a horrible story I remember about one of the zoos that is a part of my childhood:

[size=+2]Philadelphia Zoo[/size]

The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Fairmount Park on the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the world for breeding animals that have been found difficult to breed in captivity. The zoo also works with many groups around the world to protect the natural habitats of the animals in their care.

The zoo comprises 42 acres and is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The zoo features a children’s zoo, a balloon ride, a paddleboat lake, and many interactive and educational exhibits.

* In 1995, a fire in the World of Primates building in the early morning of December 24 killed 23 animals, including a family group of six lowland gorillas, a family group of three orangutans, four white-handed gibbons, and ten lemurs (2 ruffed, 6 ringtail, and 2 mongoose). All were members of endangered species. The animals died in their sleep from smoke inhalation (carbon-monoxide poisoning); none were burned. Ten primates housed in an adjoining building, the Discovery House, survived. At the time of the fire, detection equipment existed in only 20% of the zoo buildings; the primates building, which had been constructed in 1985, was not one of them. In the ten months following the fire, the zoo installed fire detection equipment in all animal buildings.

* In 2000, the Zoo opened a new primate exhibit, the PECO Primate Reserve. It features 2.5 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits with ten species of primates, including Sumatran orangutans, lowland gorillas, lemurs, langurs and gibbons.

Wild animals in captivity is a bad idea, because it places them into the activity of man, who is, as we all know, sincere but imperfect.

Anschul

 

[UnderYourSpell]

For Homburg

You drive me crazy on purpose and laugh because I fall for it evertime. Although you deny it over and over again your heart is still of the golden variety and you are a true gent whatever your errrmmmmmm kinks may be! You were there when I needed you and any man that can still grieve for a lost pet is ok by me however much you wind me up .... so blush away I think you're the man

 

[Angeline]

Folks, I don't mean to step on Homburg's passionate work. It's brilliant.

I would be remiss, however, if I didn't add my piece to the gorilla story. I did sign the petition, almost as soon as Annie posted it. Thanks, Annie for calling this travesty to our attention. It reminds me of a horrible story I remember about one of the zoos that is a part of my childhood:

[size=+2]Philadelphia Zoo[/size]

The Philadelphia Zoo, located in Fairmount Park on the west bank of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, was the first zoo in the United States. Chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on March 21, 1859, its opening was delayed by the American Civil War until July 1, 1874.

The Philadelphia Zoo is one of the premier zoos in the world for breeding animals that have been found difficult to breed in captivity. The zoo also works with many groups around the world to protect the natural habitats of the animals in their care.

The zoo comprises 42 acres and is home to more than 1,300 animals, many of which are rare and endangered. The zoo features a children’s zoo, a balloon ride, a paddleboat lake, and many interactive and educational exhibits.

* In 1995, a fire in the World of Primates building in the early morning of December 24 killed 23 animals, including a family group of six lowland gorillas, a family group of three orangutans, four white-handed gibbons, and ten lemurs (2 ruffed, 6 ringtail, and 2 mongoose). All were members of endangered species. The animals died in their sleep from smoke inhalation (carbon-monoxide poisoning); none were burned. Ten primates housed in an adjoining building, the Discovery House, survived. At the time of the fire, detection equipment existed in only 20% of the zoo buildings; the primates building, which had been constructed in 1985, was not one of them. In the ten months following the fire, the zoo installed fire detection equipment in all animal buildings.

* In 2000, the Zoo opened a new primate exhibit, the PECO Primate Reserve. It features 2.5 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits with ten species of primates, including Sumatran orangutans, lowland gorillas, lemurs, langurs and gibbons.

Wild animals in captivity is a bad idea, because it places them into the activity of man, who is, as we all know, sincere but imperfect.

Anschul

I have a little postscript to your story. First, my caveat: I am no great fan of zoos or circuses or anything that presents animals for the entertainment of human animals. However, I remember well the fire at the Philadelphia Zoo because I lived in suburban Philadelphia at the time. My son's second-grade class spent months doing a number of fundraising activities for the new primate reserve (and I baked a whole lotta cupcakes and washed a whole lotta cars) and, in the process, learned a great deal about primates, about what constitutes responsible behavior toward them, about giving. I still have mixed feelings about zoos, etc., but I remember how proud I felt when my son and his class met with the Zoo's director to present that check.