What I am allergic to:
OK Doc, Flannery, BO, et all... Perhaps this is better.
Like Doc, I had to think about this one for quite awhile. I think the immediate reaction to this is to name something that irritates you, or pisses you off and causes a reaction that is akin to hostility. But to me this isn't a true allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is sometimes defined as "Sensitivities to a specific substance, called an allergen, that is contacted through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or injected." Further investigation into this subject will lead to this:
While first-time exposure may only produce a mild reaction, repeated exposures may lead to more serious reactions. Once a person is sensitized (has had a previous sensitivity reaction), even a very limited exposure to a very small amount of allergen can trigger a severe reaction.
Aha! Now we have something to work with! That phrase "A very small amount of allergen can trigger a severe reaction" is what separates the day to day irritations for me to the thing that causes my whole being to quiver. And that is when people (and I hesitate to call them people) abuse pets.
I don't have any clue what makes me feel this way, but in almost any case I can tolerate the abuse of a human being more than I can accept it with an animal. Perhaps the military did it's job in desensitizing me to be able to end another mans life. Or maybe there is some dark area in the back of my brain that can come up with an excuse or a reason to inflict some sort of pain on somebody that I believe deserves it.
But when it comes to pets, I find it horrifying. I think that a person almost always has a choice in their lives to walk away from a bad situation, but a pet places their entire life in your hands, and generally with unconditional love. Other animals that are not pets still don't have a choice when captured by man for purposes of testing or being in a circus, whatever we as man decide we need them for.
Look into the eyes of a dog that has been cared for, and compare that to the eyes of a dog that has been abused or turned into a killer. There isn't any doubt that we as man have a responsibility that we should never forget when it comes to these caring and giving animals.
Like Doc, I had to think about this one for quite awhile. I think the immediate reaction to this is to name something that irritates you, or pisses you off and causes a reaction that is akin to hostility. But to me this isn't a true allergic reaction. An allergic reaction is sometimes defined as "Sensitivities to a specific substance, called an allergen, that is contacted through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or injected." Further investigation into this subject will lead to this:
While first-time exposure may only produce a mild reaction, repeated exposures may lead to more serious reactions. Once a person is sensitized (has had a previous sensitivity reaction), even a very limited exposure to a very small amount of allergen can trigger a severe reaction.
Aha! Now we have something to work with! That phrase "A very small amount of allergen can trigger a severe reaction" is what separates the day to day irritations for me to the thing that causes my whole being to quiver. And that is when people (and I hesitate to call them people) abuse pets.
I don't have any clue what makes me feel this way, but in almost any case I can tolerate the abuse of a human being more than I can accept it with an animal. Perhaps the military did it's job in desensitizing me to be able to end another mans life. Or maybe there is some dark area in the back of my brain that can come up with an excuse or a reason to inflict some sort of pain on somebody that I believe deserves it.
But when it comes to pets, I find it horrifying. I think that a person almost always has a choice in their lives to walk away from a bad situation, but a pet places their entire life in your hands, and generally with unconditional love. Other animals that are not pets still don't have a choice when captured by man for purposes of testing or being in a circus, whatever we as man decide we need them for.
Look into the eyes of a dog that has been cared for, and compare that to the eyes of a dog that has been abused or turned into a killer. There isn't any doubt that we as man have a responsibility that we should never forget when it comes to these caring and giving animals.
Well said.
ReplyDeleteOn one of my CourtTV shows, I watched a story about a murder but the murderer also killed the family dog in a horrifying way. That upset me more than the main story. I don't know why either!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. but you need to footnote or otherwise link your resources and include a bibliography. C+
ReplyDeleteWhen I had to leave my Lab, Jake, in the company of a friend when we had to go out of town for a week, I told this person that Jake was the single most important thing in my life (next to Chuck) and if anything happened to him while I was gone he would rue the day he ever met me. I was deadly serious and he knew it! Love me, love my dog and his hair which is everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteDoc
Thanks all, and mrs. wishy-washy, how about if I include a graphic? It's what we technical writers do...
ReplyDeleteSorry Doc, I thought you were the one who started this, I will read more closely next time!
I'm right there with you on this one.
ReplyDeleteWell put, SD. You took to this assignment with much more grace than I did.
ReplyDeleteChris and Flan, thank you both very much!
ReplyDelete