#ade is trying his best not to sound overly for complete liberation in public

[pigeonwhumps]

Last fill is a newspaper article feat. future Ade!

Text-only version below the cut.

Taglist: @littlespacecastle @mirasmirages @flowersarefreetherapy @whumpinggrounds @cepheusgalaxy @painful-pooch @i-eat-worlds @a-funeral-romance @rainydaywhump @bbu-on-the-side

CWs: BBU, pet whump, dehumanisation

Do you think Guard Dog designated pets should be legally required to wear an auditory identifier in public?

Summary of the proposed law: Guard Dog class pets will have to wear an auditory device such as a bell collar or proximity alarm at all times whilst in public spaces.

Yes

David Cooper, Talk Radio presenter and former owner of GDS Ltd

In all pets there is the danger of them running off, to name one problem, but not all are likely to harm people. This honour is reserved mainly for Guard Dogs.

In 2022, 54% of all reported violent pet-related incidents were caused by Guard Dogs. This is compared to 22% caused by Domestics, 9% by Platonics, 12% by Romantics, and only 3% by Objects. Clearly, something needs to be done to regulate Guard Dogs further and reduce their detrimental impact on the general population. They are a danger to adults and children alike, and although an extremely useful asset, precautions must be taken to ensure nothing gets out of hand. They are inherently violent, and if training is done badly then they can become killers — and not just in defence of their owners.

I recognise that a lot of proposals, such as MP North's in September 2021 to keep Guard Dogs muzzled at all times around vulnerable people, go too far, and are unworkable in terms of ensuring their owners can still be protected, but something needs to be done. And a warning causes no harm to anyone.

I know there are arguments that this dehumanises Guard Dogs, and that it is unneeded, but I disagree. These are the same type of people who argue that bell collars aren't good for cats despite the numerous evidence that they prevent bird kills. Pets do not feel embarrassed, that is the fact of the matter, and a bell or proximity alarm would not be an annoyance but rather an acceptable fact of having a Guard Dog. You own a Guard Dog, you must have a bell, and that would be the end of the matter.

One thing I do object to though is the lack of consideration given to disabled people throughout this proposal. If a deaf person were to need an alert to a nearby Guard Dog, for example, how would it work? They wouldn't be able to hear an auditory identifier.

I propose that, in addition to the auditory identifier, Guard Dog pets should be fitted with a device that emits a flashing light. This would allow those with low or no hearing to know when a Guard Dog is nearby. A GPS device would be useful if the Guard Dog is unseen, for example in an adjoining supermarket aisle, but this would be an invasion of the people’s privacy and technically very difficult to adapt.

However, something must be done to improve the safety of the general public and it is for that reason that I, with the expertise of my years as CEO of Guard Dog Security Ltd, support these proposals.

No

Ade Olayinke, Mayor of Sheffield and founder of Help4Pets

In my role as Mayor of Sheffield, I have met many residents, some of whom own Guard Dogs. In this job, and while working on the ground for Help4Pets, I have rarely met any dangerous pets — owners, however, can be a different story. Research conducted by YouGov suggests that over 90% of Guard Dog-related incidents can be traced back to their owners or training. Surely then the legislations on pet owners and training should be tightened, instead of these frankly humiliating proposals for Guard Dogs themselves?

Because yes, they are humiliating. Some say that pets can't be humiliated, but if that's the case, why do many books on pet care suggest it as the first choice of punishment? Alongside pain, of course.

Why should a pet have to pay for another's mistakes? Although I don't necessarily agree I can see the argument with pets that truly are dangerous, but most aren't (if not all — remember, pets are trained to obey their owners in all things. If they're hurting members of the public, this suggests that either their owner wants them to, or their training has gone wrong in some way. In either case, why should the pet be the one to pay when they are not at fault?). In fact, another poll by YouGov from September last year showed that out of pet-related groups (including the pets themselves) the general public are by far most afraid of WRU recapture squads, and for good reason, given their powers to act with almost complete impunity. One thing I can commend in this country is at least they aren't allowed to be armed.

But one of the stated aims of this new legislation is to reassure the general public, and if WRU recapture squads are the biggest obstacle to that, surely they should be the ones who need to be identified at a distance? Unless you view it as too extreme a measure for people, in which case you should ask yourself why you think it's okay for those classed as pets. However you view them, they are still human.

It is legislation on owners and trainers (both WRU and others) that should be tightened. The solution is not to force pets, who are already under tight control with existing laws heavily biased against them, to wear such a humiliating and unnecessary device, but to help everyone, both pets and people, live peacefully together without causing unnecessary fear, humiliation or other types of harm. To anyone.

YOUR VIEW

What is your opinion of the proposed legislation? Let us know at yourview@dailytimes.co.uk, subject: GUARD DOGS

[shawnjacksonsbs]

Sad happenings, rude awakenings, and unfortunate testings. 3-1-20

"Remember: Oppression thrives off isolation. Connection is the only thing that can save you. Remember: Oppression thrives off superficiality. Honesty about your struggles is the key to your liberation. Remember: Your story can help save someone's life. Your silence contributes to someone else's struggles. Speak so we can all be free. Love so we can all be liberated. The moment is now." - A message from the Universe by Yolo Akili Right now, its Tuesday morning. I'm sitting outside my work waiting for it to open so I can clock in. On my mind at this moment; how do I talk about an incident that happened at home yesterday without opening a huge can of worms? The answer is, I probably can't. Someone who lives with me had a guest in their room. A guest who was already not welcome in my home. After the call was made that determined we were staying home due to weather conditions, our smoke alarms starting going berzerk. After he swore it was weed, I knew something was up, because I didn't smell weed. I opened the door and for the first time in damn near 7 years, I was absolutely bombarded with a familiar smell so strong it had a slight flavor. Dope smoke, enough of it to actually set off smoke alarms. If I had been so angry the emotional overflow from that smell and taste might have resonated deeper with me than it did. I'm not generally grateful for uncontrollable angry outbursts, but for this time, it was warranted two-fold. It had been a while, but I instantly remembered that sweet smell. It's in a category all it's own. I immediately threw the guest out who clouded my house enough to set off actual smoke alarms, and was forced into a situation I didn't want to ever see. Because now more of what's best for me has to play a bigger part. Rehab or the streets are in his immediate future. The rest of the members of the house are on contract. Before everything is over they will be sick on their own or doing what the fuck I say when I say it. It could have resonated deeper than did for sure. I mean I felt its reach, through my heart straight to my guts, as a memory overload lashed inward. It kept that hold on my guts for a minute, just like it used to in my using days. That in-wait anxiety from those old days when you knew you'd be high very soon. It always does a number on the guts. It fucked my guts up pretty bad. And now I seem to smell the faint scent a lot, which makes me second guess what's going on, but after I smelled it in my car late last night with no one around I knew my body and mind were slightly playing me, for good reason probably. I felt like I was starving most of the day, and like I needed sleep. Which is pretty much the exact opposite of what the dope does to someone. I know me. I know my body and my mind. I know that it's being overly dramatic so I stay clear. Although I have no fear or thought of slipping. My subconscious is keeping it all, at a distance. . . . and that's all . . . for now. And as an added bonus I got to handle a little sac of dope as well. Small, like less than a quarter gram, but still. After a couple of minutes of giving thought to how to use it in a play to get at the owner, I decided better and down the garbage disposal it went. It actually didn't bother me like I thought it might, not like when I smelled the smoke. Not even close in comparison. It was actually rather satisfying to watch the chunks sprinkle down the loud drain as the water ran it down. I'm slightly sorry about infringing too much on others, no matter who, but that is also limited because this is how I maintain. Its how I stay well. Without my wellness, I'm no help to anyone anyway. It's super hard sometimes to limit how I talk about others and what I do say when others are involved. I'd say I do a pretty good job most of the time. It generally only works though because I hold back so much. I'm pretty sure that I'm about to stop doing that too. This saved my life. And continues to keep me well. I'm sick of compromising the most important tool for all the positive impacts it has on my life. I suppose if you wanna be a part of my life just know this a thing, and if it's too much for you. . .well, I get that too. I'll understand if you want to limit being a part of mine. I usually try and let people know in advance and sometimes even letting them pre-read those entries so they can express their opinions upfront. I try to not hurt anyone when I write, but I think I've been holding back too much again. It's not good for me, at all, so . . . . Most people already know that I'm not a proponent for tough love, as a help tactic. Tough love almost killed me. That being said, I am still a learner in progress as well just from this side, so my compromising as had some positive results, and some have had some adverse side effects. So its time to tighten up the reins of my life a bit, to execute or more accurately re-establish the healthy version of "my way or the highway". Also, and I can't say this loud enough. The only person allowed to put conditions on my help for someone, anyone is me. Period. End of discussion. If you have anything to add, I will take it into consideration, but the final say ends with me. And if that's not good enough, I completely understand. There won't be any hard feelings as you move on with your life, and away from said help. Might be a few sad ones, but I can't make anyone accept help. But compromises are on me, if any are instituted at all. I'll never understand how or why this is so difficult a concept to grasp. On a smaller scale, every person on the planet does this. Whether you consider it extreme or not is also irrelevant. My level of love for the one I'm helping determines the kind of help, the amount of help, plus all or any compromises etc. I also learned a thing this week, if your behaviors have been on repeat for years, then you do a good or positive thing, which is out of character, and people thought you weren't going to do the right thing, that is on you too. I am learning to not feel guilty about thinking someone is going to do a wrong or bad thing and they end up doing the opposite. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely wonderful that you're making better choices and I'll let you know that, but, just like the old Shawn, earning that bad behavior badge will make people expect bad shit. It's a long, road to get back to have people expect better things from you. I went through too. I'll stop for now. Could be lots of little cliff notes this week, as I go through a whole re-processing and re-prioritizing of my life. It's all going to be good in the end. It is going to work out in the end. I just need to keep my anxiety to a minimum, so I'm not stuck in public, or behind the wheel in rush hour focusing on breathing my way out. Although it might seem unfair to some, its absolutely healthy, and sometimes vitally necessary to renege on previous compromises as well. Obviously, my heart felt like all this needed to be said. Whether or not it was to re-establish some sound parameters, which makes me hold myself to a higher accountability position, or if it's just to vent, I'm not sure, but it's here and handled. So, if it's just another series of tests, I'd sure like to know how the universe grades them. If it's like "on the curve", then I'm probably doing far better than what shows. lol I was a fair test taker in school. Life not so much, until these last several years, and that's only because I study my ass off. I guess I'll close this up. And I know its another lengthy entry. I'm sorry not sorry, as it is important for me to put it out there just like this. For me, and anyone, if any, who might benefit from it being put out there. Now my same ending should be in here, just like always, because no matter the drama, this message is so important. So be kind to everyone. Be civil at the very least, and always find a way to be grateful for everyone and everything in your life. It's hard, when you want to end an entry with a quote from an Avenger, to use just one, so I didn't, obviously. lol Until next week; "I know we're not perfect, but the safest hands are still our own." - Steve Rogers and "Remember that? Whether it impacted our precious freedoms or not, that's what we needed!" - Tony Stark Plus, to my struggling kids, Remember it's not just you in this fight unless you want it to be. ". . . we lost. All of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves. Today, we have a chance to take it all back. . . . doesn't mean we should know what to expect. Be careful. Look out for each other. This is the fight of our lives. And we're going to win. Whatever it takes." - Steve Rogers