A PET PROJECT...I OBJECT TO BEING OBJECTIVISED!

So! What of it?

The smile says it all....

Two of my pencil drawings

I should be used to being wrong, I suppose, but, foolishly, I hang onto the hope perhaps once I’ll have a win. 

I’m not referring to winning the Lotto.  Don’t misunderstand me, though...I wouldn’t look that particular gift horse in the mouth.  In gratitude, I’d buy the old nag an electric tooth brush.  By “old nag” I’m not referring to me!  

Too often I believe I’ve heard it all...but, once again, I’ve been proven wrong.

Instead of reading newspapers, and watching TV news bulletins, I’d be far better off sticking to reading comics such as “Tom and Jerry”, “Tweety Pie”, “Donald Duck”, and “Foghorn Leghorn”, among others of the animal variety....when I’m not bingeing on “The Garfield Show”, “The Cat in the Hat”, “The Adventures of Puss in Boots”, “The Littlest Pet Shop”, “Peter Rabbit”, “Shaun the Sheep”, “Paw Patrol” , and “Dogs on the Job”  via streaming services, that is.  

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have...in their “superior knowledge” (please notice a tone of sarcasm)... announced we humans are no longer allowed to call our pet a “pet”. 

The decree was made a few weeks ago by PETA’s president, Ingrid Newkirk. She (or should it be “they”?) stated “pet” is a derogatory word, and should not be used.

Oh! Rats!

In Newkirk’s opinion, referring to an animal as a “pet” held the same discrimination as calling women “sweetie” or “honey”! 

Don’t many females aka women and girls call their loved ones aka boyfriends, husbands, or girlfriends - whichever the case may be - “sweetie” or “honey”, and vice versa?  When I was married my husband, Randall and I used the affectionate terms towards each other. We didn’t consider the usage belittling in any way.

A mate of Ingrid’s – perhaps her lap dog - joined in by declaring “pet” should be replaced with more inclusive terms such as “companion” and “home carer”. 

Give me a break!  Do these people attend university courses to gain degrees in stupidity?

For many, stupidity comes naturally. Therefore, no courses are required - no money needs to be expended.

Not meaning to sound petty but, to me, it’s a load of bovine excreta!

Caprines aka goats will be joining cows and jumping over the moon when they discover kids have become exclusively their own. Humans will be banned from calling kids “kids”. I’m not kidding!  

D’oh! We won’t be allowed to buck the system.  It’s a barrow-load of nonsense “they” are trying to ram down our throats as “they” endeavour to steer others to “their” way of thinking. 

I, for one, won’t be following the herd. 

This old grey mare – I can no longer be classed as a “filly” - bolted before the gate was bolted shut!  These days I may be hobbled, which is a bit of a bore, but I’m not a member of a mob, nor am I part of a flock. This bird has flown!

It’s a cock and bull idea.  The PETA cohorts, in their misguided way of thinking, are telling us to cease referring to our pet/s as “pet/pets”. 

Well, dam!** I’m going the whole hog by declaring I will not bow to their idiocy.

I wear a coat of many feathers. I’m a chick, albeit an elderly chick. I’m an old hen...often a goose. I’m an old duck with two dearly loved pets. Treated like royalty, my furry mates rule me accordingly.

All my life, from when I was a very young child,  I’ve had pets...cats, dogs, guinea pigs, canaries, budgies (not smugglers), fish, and briefly, a couple of tortoises before they leisurely strolled back to the waterhole from whence they came.

Our pet bantam rooster named “Joseph” cockily strutted about, believing he was leader of the pack; cock of the menagerie.

Do tadpoles count?  I don’t mean can they count! They don’t have fingers, or toes!

 **A horse’s mum...

Honey Duck Breasts: Pat dry skin of 2 duck breasts; score skin; season. In pan over med-heat, place duck skin side down in pan, 5mins, or until skin is golden; turn duck over; cook 2mins. Remove from pan; place on lined baking tray; roast duck in 190C oven, 8-10mins. Remove from oven; rest 5mins before slicing duck into thin pieces. In same duck pan, add 2tbs honey and 1tbs butter; cook until melted; add juice of 1 lemon and pinch of salt; remove from heat. In griddle pan, grill 4 quartered peaches and 1 onion, cut into rings, until they get bar marks and soften slightly. To serve; lay green salad leaves on platter; top with peaches, onions and duck; drizzle over the honey-butter dressing; top with fresh tarragon leaves and 1/4c diced roasted almonds.

Honey- Garlic Pork Tenderloin: Remove any fat from 450g pork tenderloin.  With a fork, puncture pork in several places. In bowl, combine 1tbs each, garlic salt, garlic pepper, onion powder, fresh minced thyme and fresh minced rosemary, and 1tsp chilli; then spread this on all sides of pork, pressing in firmly. Heat heavy skillet over med-high heat; melt 2tbs butter; add pork; sear just until brown; flip to sear all sides, about 2mins. Place skillet in 200C oven; roast 20mins.  In small saucepan add 1/2c honey, 1/3c brown sugar, 1tbs minced garlic, 1/2c light soy sauce, and 1/3c orange juice; whisk; bring to slight boil. Combine 1tbs cornflour and 2tbs water; add to sauce; whisk until slightly thickened; set aside. Remove pork from oven; baste with honey-garlic sauce. Place pork under hot grill for 3mins to allow sauce to caramelise. Rest 5mins, covered; slice; top with fresh chopped thyme and rosemary to serve.