Think kind thoughts about a pussycat

If it's birds, hamsters, potbellied pigs, rabbits, snakes and turtles, no problem. Did you say cats?

How to speak of the kill-them-early-and-often story coming out of California. We hope (not a strategy) that private donors step in to build a safety net in the wake of Governor Schwarzenegger's cost-cutting call for euthanizing strays more or less when they walk in the shelter door. We understand. Got to trim the bloated budget:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to repeal a state law that requires animal shelters to hold stray dogs and cats for up to six days before killing them.

Instead, there would be a three-day requirement for strays. Other animals, including birds, hamsters, potbellied pigs, rabbits, snakes and turtles, could be killed immediately.

Schwarzenegger has told the state Legislature that the changes could save local governments that operate shelters up to $14 million.

We are the sort that gives early and often to our own local but nationally-renowned Angell Memorial MSPCA and, of course, the Animal Rescue League of Boston and other local humane societies. We have made provisions for part of our estate to go to those organizations to continue their works of human kindness -- and cutting-edge medical research, in the case of Angell -- towards all sentient creatures great and small.

Is it time for cat bloggers and their allies to create an animal version of Spirit of America? We're thinking of celeb types like Kim Novak and Tipi Hedron and Bo Derek who love and honor animals as we do. As much as we admire Ahnold as an effective and charismatic force of nature who is leading the people of California out of the desert, there is a coldness about him that doesn't think kind thoughts about a pussycat.

Comments

[Brian]

I may be thinking unkind thoughts about Schwarzenegger right now...

I've admired him for living the American dream (as well as for being mostly sensible politically) but this comes down on the wrong side of the coldly calculating line.

Gotta have priorities.

[Sissy Willis]

I agree with you totally, Brian. Good news this morning, though (from Drudge): Governor reverses stand on shelters, reinstates waiting period. He should have looked before he lept. Too late now to save his reputation amongst animal lovers. We know he's not one of us. :)