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Horses and dogs. Humans are lucky to know these creatures.

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Unlike people, our dog friends actually do think that we're funnier when we're drunk, and they don't mind it if we come home smelling of other dogs (in fact, they enjoy it!)

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1. Trump hates dogs. I bet he hates horses too.

2. I grew up with horses. Had shit on my shoes until I went to college...and even later. When I first met my wife, she had a picture of her horse on her desk. We compared horse pictures -- and never dated anyone else again.

3. We soured on racing long ago. I grew up near Amish country -- went to auctions with my uncle to bid to keep them from being bought from dog food agents.

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Daniel, I too have soured on racing since so many horses are breaking legs at practice prior to beg races.

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I have read that racehorses are now bred more for speed than strength, hence so many horses experiencing devastating injuries & other health issues. ЁЯШн

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Sunni, itтАЩs a shame. Just because you can breed a horse for one trait at the expense of their health doesnтАЩt mean that you should.

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Yes, you're absolutely right! But when the temptation of millions of dollars from a winning race horse is on the line, some people may resort to unscrupulous practices. ЁЯШ░

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Thanks for that! You're so right, in the animal products business, animals after their life of service or outright butchery, remains are across the board converted into a food source for something, that includes hotdogs, sausages as well of course. Glue too.

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Fortunately, horse slaughter is illegal in the US. That doesnтАЩt mean that horses arenтАЩt transported to Canada and Mexico or even Japan for slaughter; they are. ItтАЩs appallingly inhumane. There are several reputable programs for retraining and rehoming racehorses after their careers, and itтАЩs the cheapest way to buy a quality horse for many uses. The problem, as Mary points out above, is that many racehorses have injuries and mental issues after their (short) lives on the track.

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"ItтАЩs appallingly inhumane."

And yet, herding cattle into slaughterhouses by the millions is somehow "less inhumane?"

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NOPE it is not! I watched videos of horse slaughter - then saw some of using a loader to pick up downed cows to get them slaughtered. Dont eat beef anymore -

Horse slaughter is so inhumane - they are a prey animal - the thought of a wild horse being "processed/harvested" - that is the description that used to be used and the absolute terror felt from that? Most plants in Canada are shutting down - fewer horses sent there, but Mexico? Still far too many shipped there. Auctions and killbuyers all over the country still going at it. Not as many but to the horses that end up there that doesnt matter.

Sorry to be a downer.

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I did not say that. Please donтАЩt put words into my mouth.

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Once I spoke to a vet who was discusted with the way Mennonite/Amish treated their horses and animals. They are big time puppy mill operators as well. I always loved that show Amish Mafia that exposed the cult, who also are big time Trumpers!!!! In one scene a car left a buggy in not the most runnable condition.

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I have a plan to flip the Amish, but I have a tough time speaking with someone with authority at the Biden campaign. Need diplomacy. Once upon a time I represented the township with the most Amish per square inch. My brother continued to represent them until he retired, and also represented other townships with Amish populations. They will not participate in government but vote 100% Republican. 200,000 votes nationally. By default, we represented them., E.G. when the IRS sold off their horses for tax liens, out bar association filed an amicus brief at SCOTUS. The guy who signed it is still available, was a judge in Pittsburgh. When I took the bar, I took a bus when I was the only non Amish person. I speak a little Laudeutsch. We had horses, a stables in that Township although we didn't live there. My brother says that they would attend meetings, etc. I wrote the zoning ordinance that kept the township in the "19th Century," was appointed in "blue baby" cases, other intracrine disputes. It may not work...but never up -- never in.

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A remarkable story, Daniel, your life with the Amish folks. But if you would, provide me clarity on your last line. I don't understand

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Not fool proof... need the stars to be in line.

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Years ago, I saw a CBS News Evening News report where these Amish guys tore down the bathroom door and gang raped their sister. They were charged and the entire population all showed up in the church.praying...singing..... to beg forgiveness, drop the charges.........praise the Lord.....bla bla bla.......

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I was born into a family with a 75 lb airedale. As a two and three year old, I'd straddle her, rocking back and forth as if I was riding her, and she never minded. Mab rode across the country with us three times, as well as once from Seattle to LA and back. She was a wonderful dog, and most dogs, if well treated, are wonderful.

The dog-human bond is a wonderful bond, and I'm guessing it's similar for people who love horses, cats, elephants, parrots, and any others. There's something marvelous about cross species bonds. These days, as a senior citizen, I run most days with my border collie.

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Growing up I always watched the Kentucky Derby with my Gobby.ЁЯНА WeтАЩd pick тАЬwinnersтАЭ by their names; Irish, colors (purple) anything cute. I too soured on horse racing when I attended the races at our county fair years ago and a horse stumbled & fell. They brought out the screen, euthanized the horse right there on the track, put it in the horse trailer and drove away.

I used to love watching the excitement, the hats, the mint juleps etc. of the Kentucky Derby but the reality of the animal cruelty is something I cannot stomach.

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Daniel, my great grandfather, who was Kentucky born (in Georgetown, lived in Stamping Ground) was supposedly a horse thief and most certainly a murderer....bar fight I think. He fled to Indiana and on his marriage certificate he had a different name than his birth name. I told this story to a gal who worked in horses in Kentucky and she said good and had total contempt for race horse owners. Locally, we told the French owner of a restaurant that Americans did not eat horse meat and would be appalled. I had a great aunt and uncle who were infamous in the family and one of the stories about them was that they sold horse meat as beef during WII. I also grew up in Amish country, in northern Indiana. Saw plenty of buggies, but didn't know the horses might be sold for dog food.

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I imagine in their way of life - horses serve a purpose - doubt there is any kind of retirement - if so, they wouldnt be earning their keep. So on to auctions. New Holland PA is one of them - has kind of a notorious reputation among horse people.

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@ Maggie You will be happy to know that there is a horse retirement village near me in New Jersey on route 202, near Ramapo College. There must be a waiting list to get in. bergencountyhorserescue.org

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Yes, there are many "retirement" places and rescues that do such great work. I donate to several occasionally & one inparticular all the time.

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That was my thought as well.

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Hahaha! I had a horse in high school (тАШ73-тАШ76) and went to take care of him every morning before school. Always smelled of fresh manure. My classmates always knew when I had my feet resting on the book basket under their desk.

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The Amish left manure wherever they went. It doesn't feel (or smell) like home without shit in the street.

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BOO! Just had to mention Trump.

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lol , i wonder where cats fit into this menagerie?

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And Joyce Vance's chickens!

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My daughter-in-law (and my grandkids) raise chickens; I think they have about a dozen now, in the big coop my son built. Like Joyce's, all named, and each with a different personality. And their eggs are delicious.

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lol for sure! My younger kid once raised a small brood of laying hens for eggs on the breakfast table!

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I love my cat. He acts like a dog, is loving and faithful.

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Cats are the best but they are also the ones with the least amount of patience for stupid humans LOL. I have had many!!

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So true! My cats get smarter and smarter. The one I have now - man, I KNOW she thinks I'm really dumb!! But she seems to love me just the same.

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Frank, our Bookclub is reading Starter VillainтАФcomplete with cats who type as part of their spy duties.

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John Scalzi is one of my favorite authors and would be right at home among LFAA fans. Enjoy the book, Mary!

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Sherrer, I especially liked hearing the dolphins in the audiobook! Definitely not for the faint of heartтАФbut very creative тАЬwordтАЭ combinations

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Might take a look for that. As a younger me remember a b&w movie in which a cat out plots a bunch of thieves in her home. Movie was mostly shot from kitty's perspective, much as that's possible!

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Frank, I hope that you enjoy it. It was fun.

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Ambivalent?

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Miss Anne, LOL. We always know when we are in trouble once we get home. And it doesn't need to be other dogs or cats....it could be a restaurant or the dentist or anywhere. We almost always explain where we have been.

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Indeed we are. They are a blessing and a joy to behold.

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And these creatures don't always feel the same toward us humans.

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