Holy crap, what are children turning into these days? A group of schoolchildren who reared a lamb named Marcus from birth actually overrode their parents’ and animal activists’ objections and voted 13 to 1 to send Marcus to get slaughtered. All but one of the 14-child council voted to cull Marcus and Marcus’s death has been confirmed by the teacher.
Animal rights activists and some of the kids’ parents are outraged the the school allowed kids to vote on something like this and I agree, but more worrying for me isn’t the school’s attitude, but the kids’ vote. What kind of a kid would vote to send a lamb they raised and hand-fed to slaughter? They disgust me and so do the teachers for actually doing as the kids said. What happened to teaching love and compassion for others?
Marcus was raised as part of an educational farm started by the school this year, where they also have chickens and other farm animals. The intention of the kids was to buy pigs with the money that they made from Marcus’s death. I realize that this is how it works in the real world and all, but these kids are as young as six years old and only as old as 11 years old.
Apparently a talk show host actually offered to buy Marcus the lamb and give them the money for these pigs. Why, then, did these kids feel the need to kill the poor animal anyway? They would have gotten their pigs. This isn’t about simulating real life or wanting to buy more resources for the program anymore – this is closer to sadism. The lamb did not need to die for the children to get their pigs.
I just spent 2-3 hours installing Adobe CS4 – all for nothing. I am not starting over now. At least not today.
On a happier note, Keeda got to meet HHRay’s puppy today. She was surprisingly patient and unenthusiastic with him. They say that some dogs are very bad with puppies because of their obnoxiousness and others are very good with them. Keeda surprisingly was on her best behaviour and allowed the puppy to climb all over her. She didn’t snap out of annoyance once and the most she did was mouth the air when the pup was getting too excited and annoying. In the end she simply sprawled out on the grass by my side as the puppy clambered all over her.
Puppies :):):) Dogs like cuddling with me. The first and most gorgeous one is mine – Keeda.
On an unrelated note, here’s a video of me helping HHRay’s mom to dig up her front yard. That’s HHRay laughing at me in the background.
Believe it or not, I am experienced in the art of physical labor – I just haven’t worked on a farm in so long that my completely awesome muscles weren’t as awesome as they used to be that day.
I sent off an inquiry to the WA Police recruitment center regarding how long it would take one to get into the Canine Police after going through the Police Academy. I got a reply the next day, saying that I have to complete the 12-18 month probation period after the Academy. He also said that it may be possible to take one Dog Squad pre-selection courses straight after the probation, but sometimes they require a bit more experience first.
The qualifications that one is recommended to have when applying are high level of motivation, decisiveness, good oral ability, ability to take charge, and high fitness level.
I think the only one that may be a thorn in my side is the high fitness level – simply because of my knee.
I then replied asking how often an vacant permanent position with the canine police actually opens up (as their FAQ said: “After this probationary period, an officer may then apply for a vacant permanent position within WAPOL.“
And he said that it was difficult to say. He said that there is not a high turn over so it could be straight away or somewhere down the track, depending on when existing staff leave. Also, there may be more than one person applying for one vacant position, which would make the selection process more difficult.
Overall, I’m willing to deal with that and am seriously considering this.
I’ve been rewriting my resume and thinking about jobs that I’d like to do in case the time to find a new job is suddenly upon us.
And then it came to me – Canine Police. Before jumping the gun, I read more about the canine police and right now it really seems like this is something I’d really, truly, honestly be very passionate about. Western Australian canine police work with their assigned dogs, keep the dog at their private home, and play a huge role in training their dogs. Both the people and dogs train together – the people on how to handle and treat the animals. This is so exciting. There are only 2 setbacks for me:
1) Each recruit has to have a manual driving license. Even if it’s only their Ps. This may be a tedious process, but I am positive that I can get this.
2) Each recruit must undergo a physical examination – I am not sure if my knee would be a problem with this.
3) Am I too old? I’m turning 21 in 2009 – I’m not sure if that’s too old to enter the police force!
I have decided that if I can find someone who has a manual car and would be willing to teach me how to drive it and practise with me, I would be happy to get my manual license before I get a car. I just have to find a person!
These have been a really crazy couple of days. I won’t go into great detail as it’s personal and is not mine to tell, but basically everything’s been up in the air. There’s controvercy over HHRay’s dog and I think the puppy should just go to a different home as he is likely to end up being abused if he stays (not by HHRay, if that’s what you’re thinking). HHRay’s had a lot on his plate these past days as to what to do with the puppy (he’s been keeping him safe in another location). I told him last night that whatever he decides to do, I’ll stand behind him. But I will never forgive myself if something happens to that dog.
I got bitten by a dog today. Keeda and I were out biking with Keeda’s Springer and we saw this nice looking bigger dog playing at the park. We stopped, I clipped on her regular lead and unclipped her from the Springer, and we approached the owner of the dog.
“Is your dog friendly?” I asked, holding Keeda in-check.
“Oh yeah,” said the man, “He’s great and playful.”
“Maybe they can play?”
“Sure, not a problem.”
So I let Keeda off of the leash and she and the other dog started sniffing each other and playing. The owner and I were just having a nice chat when I noticed another dog of about Keeda’s size walking on the leash with his/her owners. I made a reach for Keeda, but too late – she was already trotting up to sniff at the new dog.
Stupid me. Geez, I should know better. The other dog started growling and snapping and Keeda and him/her were in a momentary paw lock (where they’re standing up on their hind legs with their front legs wrapped up in each other and snarling. I ran up to Keeda and grabbed her around the chest, pulling her away, but not before the other dog’s teeth grazed my hand on accident (I could tell it was accidental, my hand just happened to be where the dog was snapping its teeth).
I, of course, apologized to the owner and took Keeda back on lead.
There are two little teeth marks in my hand, but nothing major.
I sent off an inquiry to the WA Police recruitment center regarding how long it would take one to get into the Canine Police after going through the Police Academy. I got a reply the next day, saying that I have to complete the 12-18 month probation period after the Academy. He also said that it may be possible to take one Dog Squad pre-selection courses straight after the probation, but sometimes they require a bit more experience first.