Hey Allie - I got my Siamese kitten from a rescues organization. Take a look on line and see if there isn’t a Siamese rescue group in your area. I’ve found that any breed I’ve ever been interested in (cat or dog) has a rescue league you can work with to find the right animal for you.

Mine’s only half (we think). Pregnant Mom found her way to the pound and then to the home of a Siamese rescue volunteer where she had her kittens. I found an ad on Craig’s List for the kittens and the mama. I’ll have to admit – mom was a little cross-eyed and looked over breed - but the kittens came out lovely and with clear, almond eyes: two dark points, one calico and a Havana Brown. I was more concerned with moxy – for me that’s the hallmark of the breed - the brown kitten had it so I took her. But if I’d have wanted a dark point with blue eyes I could have had one – that exotic looking calico was tempting too. And if one day I don’t want my cat (unlikely) the rescue organization I adopted her from will take her back just like a reputable breeder would. Just the other day I got it in my head that my next cat was going to be a Russian Blue mix and sure enough there are plenty of blue kittens out there to be adopted too.

I used to be a PETA member but they pretty much drove me out. It’s kind of cute that people seem to think the conservative right is responsible for crazed PETA posts – but I’ve got to tell you the more fanatic members really do equate animal suffering with slavery. And the vast majority of those people strongly identify themselves as feminists as well as animal rights activists – they see the two issues as linked.

Really – this blogger was a knuckle head to go on and on about her dog. It makes her seem like she’s got no idea what she’s doing. She should have known better. Even Broadsheet should have known this was going to generate lots of opinions and squabbles.

“I feel that people have to learn their lessons whatever way they need to learn them. It is not up to us to judge what paths our loved ones choose. These kids can still live a fulfilled, happy life.”

That’s some hippy-dippy talk.

My husband has an Aunt who can’t stop saying horrible things about black people. Her path is to be a raciest ass and she’s as happy and superior as she can be about it. I love my aunt (she has many decent qualities) but she’s still not invited to Thanksgiving until she gets it through her thick skull I won’t hear it. I judge her to be completely inappropriate and dead wrong. My telling her as much created lots of drama in the family – but I’m sticking to my guns on this one: that woman is not sitting at my dinner table until she can get her act together.

Maybe you would just sit by and let people say and do whatever – but I think that attitude is generally more cowardly then loving.

I seriously doubt letting a 16 year old get married is the worst of this church.

My husband’s family belongs to what sounds like the sort of church the LW is talking about. When I was 18 and dating him I went to one of the services: the preacher told the congregation that AIDS was God’s plague against the gays and Catholics were all going to burn in a fiery lake. And then I got up and walked outside and I haven’t back in that building since. I might have said something – but women aren’t allowed to speak in his church. I still get along with the family but I don’t participate with their nonsense just to avoid a little drama. I stick to my values and still manage to be kind and friendly (and I get to sleep in on Sunday’s when I visit).

If I was this LW no way you could drag me to this child’s wedding. I’d send a gift and then I’d be done with it. But I might let my daughter go – only because I’ll bet you anything she comes back feeling a little sick herself.