video;

[112ounces]

[ Carl is at work, at Heropa's Animal Shelter. He's sitting at a desk, covered with vanilla folders and sorts of paperwork, as well as posters, cardboard signs of upcoming events behind him. He's wearing his signature sheriff's hat.

While it won't be the first time Carl has posted on the imPort network, it will be the first time he'd ever make any post to the BlueTube website for all the natives to see. ]

Hi, guys. This post of mine is going to be a little different from my other ones in the past, as I'm going to repost this on to BlueTube. I thought about giving a little reminder to imPorts, but I think what I'm talking about is important enough to everyone who lives here, not just to imPorts. Though I realized it's not much of a problem with them. I'll get back to that.

[ A large, heavy-set cat - looks more like a bobcat than actual housecat, despite being a clear piebald - jumps on the table. It meows at Carl, clearly demanding some petting. Carl ignores it. ]

So Christmas is, what, ten days from now? Eleven? I dunno. Not important. But here's a little important part: I know some of you guys are thinking pressed for ideas of getting presents. You guys think, well, why not a kitten? A puppy? A pretty parakeet?

[ Carl points at the behemoth cat. It immediately rubs its face on his finger. ]

See this guy? He's been to three homes already. First time, the owner was being kicked out and wanted this guy to have a chance at a home while she'll be on the streets. He was then adopted as a birthday present. Two days later, he was back. His new owners didn't want him anymore. Too much work, or some other stupid excuse. Now just yesterday he was adopted as an early Christmas present. But now he doesn't have a home.

It's starting to get his original owner's sacrifice to be really meaningless, huh? I don't know if she's still on the streets or managed to pick herself back up or dead. But even then, you can tell she loved this cat. A cat this big could easily been the meanest cat on the planet, but he's as sweet as he can be. She did a good number on him.

[ Now he starts to pet the cat, rubbing its ears. The cat purrs loudly. ]

I know this isn't much of a problem among imPorts. We always have a chance to go back where we come from, and there's nothing we can do to control it. Some of us don't adopt pets for this reason. Those who adopt, we make arrangements so when it does happen, our pets will still have a home somewhere. Not saying we don't do this - I'm sure it has happened before - but we got a weird set of responsibilities in this world that we gotta take care.

He leans back as the cat rears up and tries to rub him against his face. It is trying to climb on Carl's chest to get to his face, purring loudly as it can. Carl strokes the cat's back while trying to push him away. ]

Sorry for the big speech. It's just been on my mind a lot lately.

[ The cat swats at Carl's hat. Carl gives the animal a bewildered look. ]

So yeah: don't adopt until you are one hundred percent up to the task. They say taking care a pet is like getting ready to take care a baby. I don't think that's accurate, but -

[ And then the monster cat rears up and slaps Carl on the jaw. ]

Alright buddy, that's enough. No smacking. That hurt. I ain't gonna play with you if you're getting impatient.

[ Carl gives the cat a little scratch behind the ear all the same. The cat goes up and rubs its face against Carl's chin. ]

So yeah. Christmas is the time of giving, so give a pet a home, if you can. They really deserve it. Especially this guy.

Comments

video;

[coppelganger]

Ah, kid. You're killing me here.

video;

[112ounces]

Well. Wanna adopt?

[ carl u little shit ]

[coppelganger]

It's tempting, but I think you laid out a pretty good case for why it's not a good idea.

[112ounces]

Did I? All I said imPorts have a special case. But I never said it was a bad idea.

[coppelganger]

Well... I'd still feel like shit adopting an animal and then leaving it, even if I made arrangements for someone to take it. They're like kids, you know?

[112ounces]

Yeah, that's true.

[video]

[medalsome]

[Aww, this message reminds him of Maria, and also of his foolish friend Manolo. Some people were so tender-hearted...]

That's a nice idea. Might also be good to remind people not to impulsively buy a pet for someone else who just likes animals but may not yet have the space for one, or the time to commit.

It's best when people have their hearts in the right place. But it would be a shame for a pet to be neglected because the new owner found themselves to be too busy for it.

[video]

[112ounces]

Yeah. Or just lose interest in taking care of their pet.

[permavid]

[medalsome]

A pet is a responsibility, sorta like you said about it being similar to having a child? Not quite the same but...

I used to have a horse back home. She was gorgeous and I miss her, but I'm glad I don't have her here in Heropa. She wouldn't have lived well in this city, with the noise and the lights and the fast vehicles that float around. I took good care of her there, but in my current situation it wouldn't be best to take up owning a horse again.

[permavid]

[112ounces]

Yeah, I can see. It's still hurts, having to make a sacrifice. To choose something for the best versus wanting to keep them close.

[medalsome]

People should consider their options logically, but in the face of something cute sometimes their perceptions can be skewed.

I do hope some of the sheltered pets find good homes. I know there was also talk of fostering some pets for a while, too. That's always an option for people who want to give some care to animals for them but can't handle a long-term commitment.

video;

[sidecars]

Aww man, I am totally moved!

[ Bucky wants a cute little puppy to make him feel good about himself and smother with love and train to harass Kaneda and his dumb dog. ]

video;

[112ounces]

Really? I thought I might need to have some melancholy Christmas tune playing in the background to get the point across.

video;

[sidecars]

Nah, you already got the fluffy animals and you're an exceedingly adorable shrimp all on your own, so that's double the heart-tugging points right there.

video;

[112ounces]

Shrimp? I'm not that short.

video;

[sidecars]

Oh yeah? How tall are you--Look, that's not even the point! Shrimp or no shrimp here [ Look, he's not judgin' yo. ] The point is you sold it. People see what they wanna see, and they saw cute cats and cute kids! It's a good combination.

[video]

[hands4healing]

You make a lot of good points.

[video]

[112ounces]

Thanks. I try.

[video]

[hands4healing]

If something happens to me, there are two people who'd take my dog.

[video]

[112ounces]

That's a really good backup plan.

video;

[alcheregis]

Are you sure you don't want to adopt him, dear? He does seem awfully affectionate to you!

video;

[112ounces]

I do. This cat is more dog than cat. But I can't adopt any animals.

[ Dad's word is pretty much law. ]

Re: video;

[alcheregis]

But why not? Why, just look at how responsible you're being! The poor thing couldn't ask for a better caretaker.

video;

[112ounces]

I really can't afford it.

[ And Dad said no to having any pets. ]

Re: video;

[alcheregis]

Oh, that's easily solvable!