A difficult situation.

One thing which outrages me are those few unscrupulous greyhound trainers
who throw declawed cats in amongst the hounds when caged.

People who do this can do jail time in some states. These people are not
animal lovers, not even their dogs I'm sure.

The lady needs to put across to her husband in the most forthright terms
that she is appalled and extremely upset. It is difficult to imagine this
situation happening!

Jason

I think I would try and find a support group for her.  If I were in
her shoes...the guy would be on his way out the door, seriously.
Not because of the declawing but because he put the couch
over HER own strong feelings.  Who wants to be around someone
so selfish and callous about her.  If he reacted this way in this situation,
you can only imagine what she puts up with on a daily basis.  Of course
you can't tell her that.  Only a good friend, family member or counselor
can so with that in mind I would offer my support, let her know it's not
her fault and she shouldn't feel guilty but she absolutely should talk to
someone about what she does feel.

AG

I think some people are too ignorant to be around people or animals.  How
could he do this to the poor animals, especially when he knew how his wife
felt?  I am afraid I would have to have the guy euthanized.  On the serious
side, I don't think that I could stay with someone like that.  He would be
out the door.

Sheryl

I'd go get the husbands car and slash all the tires.  Then say how do you like it if someone cuts
off part of what you use to get around?

Everyone else has echoed my sentiments.  Firstly, the fact that he could do
that to the cats, knowing what he did about declawing from his wife, shows a
very cold heart.  And then, as everyone else said, apart from the issue of
declawing itself, the fact that he did something, *anything*, so
fundamentally against his wife's feelings, particularly for such a shallow
reason, shows complete disregard for her feelings.  Also - again, as someone
else mentioned - it really does make you wonder how he treats the kids (my
mom always judges a man by how he feels about/treats kids and animals!).
I'd have to say at the very *least*, some serious couple counselling, but
that's if this isn't just the final straw; if treatment and behavior such as
this has been ongoing for awhile, then I would forgo that and just dump him
there and then.  As someone else said, what an awful situation to be
in....poor kitties, and poor *wife* (not to mention poor kids, as they're
bound to be put in an awkward situation as well)!!! :(

Ann

--

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bewtifulfreak

Personally I'd favour a .455 Webley and Scott with expanding slugs but
that's probably not the response you were looking for. The first person
I would go visit however would be the vet......

Have any of you read the book or seen the movie "Misery?" It's about a writer who has an
accident and ends up being cared for by his number one fan. She's more than a bit loonie
and holds him prisoner until he writes another book with the ending that "she" approves
of.

Anyway...as a part of his prison sentence with her, she hobbles him (cuts off his foot),
which is similar to what was done to these cats.

Therefore, as much as I hate to say it, I think I may be somewhat tempted to do the same
to this man. Cut off "HIS" toes and ask him to walk across the room. As is the case with
cats, we humans rely on our toes for balance. Without them we are very apt to tip over.
--
Hugs,
Lynn

sewfinefashions@shawCLOTHES.ca
*strip CLOTHES to reply*
Homepage: http://members.shaw.ca/sewfinefashions/
See my boys: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/papavince_29/

A few people here mantioned it would be a difficult decision. How can it be
difficult? It's very plain, obvious and EASY to me! Anyone touches my kids
or my pets will heavily regret it! The fact that I may be legaly connected
to him in some way, will not make a blind bit of difference. I would be
tottaly discusted to find out I married an abuser! He has tortured pets, he
has lied to her and gone behind her back(which leaves you thinking what else
is/was he capable of) and finally, material property is obviously more
important to him then a living Gods creature. How did she not notice any of
this behaviour before?

First of all, I'd make sure with the vet that my kitties are going to be
relatively OK. I'd also make sure that any local vet knows in the future
NEVER to take any orders about MY cats from ANYBODY else!

Second, I'd claw his precious stinky leather couch to peaces with my own
nails! And record it on a camcorder so he can watch it and beware!

Finally, I'd tell him if he doesn;t leave the house for good, I'd become Mrs
Bobbitt, so he'd know how the cats feel.

I just cannot believe that anyone could possibly stay with such an inhumane
person? How could you possibly forgive him? If person is capable of
torturing an animal, he is capable of absolutely anything. What's next, have
her tongue cut off becuase she is "whinging too much" ???? Not to even
mantion the basic respect, trust and love. Seriously, please explain how you
could forgive such person.

I'd also definitly look into reporting him to authorities on some charge.
Whatever they can get him on. This abuser needs a lesson and quick before he
hurts another creature!

Gee

I think this is a terrible position that this woman has been placed in and I
think the best thing that can be done for her is offer her emotional
support.  Obviously it has to be her decision on what she wants to do about
the marriage.  It is most certainly a deep and serious betrayal of trust.
It shows a tremendous disrespect for his wife as well as the cat.

I spoke to my husband about this situation, he was horrified to hear of it.
I asked him what he would do in that situation and he said it for him it is
unimaginable.  He was so upset to hear about what happened that the rest of
the night he was put off and sad.

Meagan, please let this woman know that there are many people thinking about
her right now and that there are lots of purrs coming her way to find the
strength to get through this situation in a way that is best for her mental
well-being.

Teary-eyed,

Fuga

I would slash his "precious" leather couches into tiny pieces, rip his bank
account, file for a divorce and drag him to court for animal cruelty and
abuse...
Oh, I would make him suffer so hard that he'd never forget - what an
a.shole.... :-(

m

(Coming late to this, but felt the need to respond...)

PACK MY sh.t AND MOVE OUT IMMEDIATELY.

What a betrayal!  The guy showed no concern for her feelings, the
cat's well being, or his marriage.

Luckily, my DH would never, ever, in a million years, do something
like this.

-Lyn

Before saying this I should say that I am firmly against declawing cats...
Beyond that, we need to prioritize. I will grant that he should not have
done something like that behind her back, particularly if they are her
cats - if they're her cats, it should be her decision. If they're his, it's
his.
But people, all this talk of killing and stuff.... people have to be put
above animals, and your spouse should be more important than your pet (or
your couch). The solution here is to - talk to her husband about it, and
about the deep down communication issues that are at the root of this. If
that means counselling fine, but we shouldn't be talking about violence or
divorce based on this.

KR

Megan:

Clearly the woman should seek a divorce from her husband immediately.

koyaanisqatsi

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What would I do? Who gives a sh.t what I'd do? You did exactly what your email signature file warns  NOT to do: NOTHING. Stirring up a little hysteria on a newsgroup of cat lovers has NO IMPACT on the people or animals involved (or next week's cast). Emailing your and probably dilutes whatever ire you might have ridden to help the situation. Your email drama-rama is similar to your website-mostly