Yeah, that's the type of things I was picking up on.  He claimed to be a
practicing Mormin, but they things he sometimes said just goes against the
grain of someone who is truly religious.  I'm trying to think of the word I
would use to describe him, but I just keep coming up with fractious.  I
don't know, sort of abusive maybe.

Oh, don't beat yourself up over that.  I just recently got taken in *BIG*
time (as people here can attest!!).  I said then, and I still believe it,
I'd rather trust and be hurt than never trust.  I know I leave myself open
to be hurt that way, but that's just the risks you take when you're willing
to love and extend friendship without judgement (until you're forced to
judge).

I agree with you about animals, maybe not the way your religion states it,
but it works out the same in practice.  I see them as the ultimate
"innocents" in the world.  Instead of using and abusing them because we have
power over them, we should *protect* because we have power over them.  I
don't think power need corrupt - I think power should be used with the
greatest responsibility.

Hugs,

CatNipped

I've forwarded a lot of articles. I only remember once that Louie asked me
to slow down -- his comment was that he's very busy at work. If he (or you)
had said anything to me, I would have not sent any more articles. Actually,
the one time I did hear from Louie, I cut the email volume way, way down.

It sure works better when you tell people things directly. I'm only too
happy to stop sending articles -- but you have to tell me.

If you don't say something, then YOU are to blame when people continue to be
themselves. Very often, folks respond "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that
was offensive, I'll try  not to do it again". But if you just remain silent,
YOU have no cause to complain about people continuing to be themselves.

You too, huh? I got tired of the political stuff. He started sending some of
it to Louie at his job, which presented a problem: much of it was speaking
against AIDS (human) research and free medical care for the poor. Louie
works in a facility which handles the data for AIDS research and the effects
of community education and outreach to poor patients. Big, BIG oops! As in,
lose-yer-job oops.

Blessed be,
Baha

I must say I am rather hurt by this. Much of what you're writing could have
been easily corrected, if you would communicate with me directly. However,
you've chosen to post complaints on the RPCA message board, instead of
talking with me directly.

Who's been rolled in the litter box, here? From my point of view, I've tried
to be open and honest. Also from my point of view, you've got a list of
things you don't like about me. Rather than tell me about them (so I can do
something) you post your complaints on RPCA.

Who's being open in communication and trying to keep the friendship working?
(After all, I've been trying!) And who is complaining in a public forum,
without giving me a chance to fix things?

I can't say I miss the so-and-so. These things go against my religious and
ethical beliefs, including the mousetrap stuff. Sikhs believe that animals,
unlike humans, never forget their creator and in that sense have one up on
us two-legs. We are called to show mercy to all beings: poor folks and
animals alike. I want to kick myself over this, though, because you think
you know people and you get rolled in the litter box!

Blessed be,
Baha

I am just outside Buffalo, New York. Alexis is housed with foster-mama
Marilyn (the same one who fostered our Brandy, so I can vouch for how good
she is to her little charges.) She is in Lockport, NY, about 20 miles or so
outside Buffalo. The shelter Tenth Chance shows their cats at a Petsmart in
Amherst and they've shown Alexis, but people back off when they learn she's
FIV. She's a cute kitty, a longhaired tuxie, approximately eight months old
and healthy as the proverbial horse. Next to no "viral load," to use a human
AIDS term. (Viral load is how much of the virus is actually in the system.
Some people have just anibodies and don't seem to go full-blown; others have
a near volcanic viral load, they're the ones who are full-blown or about to
be.) Alexis is playful and intelligent, and itching to get out of Marilyn's
bedroom.

If we can set up a relay I'm willing to help. Tenth Chance is meticulous
about interviewing potential adopters and will want to speak to anyone
putting a bid in for Alexis. I am willing to help with the $70.00 adoption
fee if necessary. I can arrange for a "phone appointment" for the interview
and see how it can be done.

This time I want to do it right. After the fiasco with the person who
suggested putting carpet tacks and mousetraps on counters so a cat would
learn not to jump on them, I want to help find a true cat lover like you
all.

Blessed be,
Baha

A bit too much to reply all at once up top. I'll insert a few comments.

Marilyn did notice; she is very attuned to her babies and bases adoption
approvals on how the cat reacts as well as how the two-leg does in the
interview.
CY: As I remember you saying, they had tried to give her a worm pill shortly
before I got there.

She tried to steer him to other cats before the head of the
shelter stepped in. The little so-and-so was rather adamant about Alexis
CY: After all, Alexis was why I was there. I candidly don't remember if she
suggested other cats.

and
started spouting stuff about his priesthood, and how he was recommended for
Alexis (my bad!),
CY: Now, we totally disagree. I don't remember mentioning anything about
priesthood or church in any form during the interview. Yes, I did mention
that you wanted me to interview Alexis.

and took it as conspiratorial that he was being steered
away. My word would be paranoid... he insisted on the interview and that was
when the mousetraps came up.
CY: I've never thought that was conspiratorial. As for interview, we did
discuss pets and I've written about that in an earlier post.

The shelter people nearly threw him out,
CY: They never said anything impolite to me. The lady did say that they
would not be able to adopt me this or any other cat.  I notice that she did
what you, also, are doing. She just cast me off with 1) not telling me what
was wrong, and 2) not taking any effort to teach me a better way to do
things.

and he
threw a fit when they called me to tell me to keep him away from my cats,
CY: I don't know how you get to the level of "threw a fit". Would you give
some specific behaviours?

and that they'd be notifying all shelters in Erie and Monroe counties to
blacklist him if possible.
CY: Here is another example of folks not communicating directly. This is the
first I've heard of it.

Word got to his bishop (clergyman in Mormonspeak)
and I understand he got one helluva lecture. Serves him right.
CY: Actually, I did get an email from the Bishop. He said that an Elizabeth
Sing (he wasn't sure if he spelled it right, and I use his spelling). She
was quite upset. He asked how involved I wanted him to be, and if he could
be any help. There was no lecture. So, I don't know where you heard that.

But I'm glad you're back
Thanks!!! :-)