Why kill a possum?

[stickyvicky]

We are at the cabin right now, and just had our neighbor over to watch the new Batman movie, we have Tim's big screen TV over here, I made the best popcorn in the world, it should have been a great night right? Half way through the movie he asks us to pause it because he can hear his dog barking incessantly. He leaves for about 5 min to go check on it. When he comes back he apologized for taking so long, but he had to kill a possum. I said "you were barely gone 5 min, no big deal, but why did you kill it?"

His dog had cornered it in the yard, and it was hissing. So I said, why didn't he just put the dog in the house, and chase it away? He said because it would just come back later. I said maybe not, it now knows there is a dangerous dog there. I asked him how he killed it. At first I thought he was joking. He said he beat it's head in with a piece of wood.

I had a hard time swallowing it. This neighbor has been a good friend for about 6 years now. I always imagined him as a kind gentle person. I pictured the poor critter, bleeding, gasping for life, tiny head bashed in with a stick. How could you not feel anything in your heart while inflicting that? Why kill it? Just because it existed? It made the tragic mistake of entering his yard? It just seems senseless to me.

So now my neighbor is apologizing, not because he thinks he was wrong, but because I'm mad at him. Am I over-reacting? Am I just being a silly woman?

[st1fler]

I wouldn't be able to kill an animal like that unless its a spider lol

[hotjulie]

I've killed lots of animals, but I could never kill something just because it's there. No your not wrong I think what he did was mean, and senceless. I can't see a possum being a real mean animal like you said take the dog inside and let it go.

[WalterB]

I may push it a bit too far, but I have caught moths in here before and taken them outside to go free.

You weren't wrong, Vicky. A possum won't even hurt you. I'm betting it was simply trying to get away. And, what if it was a mother, looking for food for her kids? The neighbor needs to contribute something to The Atlanta Animal Rescue Shelter.

And he's apologizing for the wrong reason.

I don't even understand hunting. 100 years ago? Sure. Sustenance for your family. But today? We have these places called Supermarkets.

[koalaman35]

I agree with you, there is no need to kill an innocent life. Had he been concerned about the possibility of rabies, that may be justifiable. But the fact that the dog had cornered it is hardly a reason for killing it.

[stickyvicky]

Thank you! I'm so glad you agree; I've been asking people all day long in my travels what they think too...... I get accused of over-reacting when it comes to animals who have no one to defend them. I will never think of my neighbor the same way after last night.

[LauraJebAndSue]

Thank you! I'm so glad you agree; I've been asking people all day long in my travels what they think too...... I get accused of over-reacting when it comes to animals who have no one to defend them. I will never think of my neighbor the same way after last night.

Vicky,

We are like you and agree, but do not hate your neighbor. We all have different understands of our environments and bet he thought he was doing the right thing to protect his dog and family etc. Heck after 6 years in your parts one might think he would understand more about possums and why the hiss. Or maybe not! To him it maybe like a big mean Rat. Who knows.

Maybe you should talk to him more about how you both feel. Or just drop it and hope they move. We do not know, but all of us have different perspectives and maybe a nice chat will help both of you move on and still be good neighbors.

Love ya,

Laura & Sue

PS Forgive us we are not PhD Shrinks but have seen in 38 and 39 years both too many neighbors hate each other over misunderstands.

[bdhjones]

I am not a big fan of out door animals, but its that man's yard so he did what he felt was best for his environment.

By the way how did you like the Batman movie.

[hotjulie]

What we do here with coyotes is we chase them on snowmobiles. Then when you get close enough we try to slap them, but you have to be carefull they try to rip your arm off. Aparently they don't like it at all, one tore my mitt off once. Thankfull it never got to my skin. You have to watch for trees too! I haven't done that for a few years now, maybe I'm getting smarter. We scare the hell out of them but don't hurt them!

[WalterB]

I think Trio is on the right track, Vicky. Try telling him your feelings and see what he says. He may not change, but it's worth a shot. Sometimes, all folks need is for someone else to speak up and show them another side of things. If they respond, well done. If they blow it off, well, you tried.

[stickyvicky]

He said good morning to us today and I just acted like a smartass and asked him if he killed any small helpless animals today. I yelled for Stinkie to get away from his property because it's a dangerous place, lol.... yes I can be one sarcastic cynical bitch when I want to.

He actually apologized, said he was wrong, said he thought it was the right thing to do at the time, but in retrospect it wasn't and he promised he will never kill a possum again.

If he means it, or if he's just trying to placate me I don't know... but I think I made him feel bad enough, that maybe he really thought about it.

I wasn't overly impressed with the Batman movie, for all the hype I thought it was going to be better, but I'll say the acting on the part of the joker was excellent.

[Anthony_JK]

I'm not a fan of critters, either, but that's still no reason to kill them just for being there. You were well within your rights, Vicky, to be concerned. Unless that possum was seriously threatening someone or something, best thing is to simply chase it outside.

And yeah...the late Heath Ledger just rules as The Joker in "The Dark Knight Returns": too bad it was his last role before he passed away. Probably the best played villain in the Batman series since Tommie Lee Jones playing Two Face in <i>Batman Returns</i>. Jim Carrey as Edward Nigma (aka "The Riddler") and Uma Thurman as Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isley didn't suck either.

On the other hand..now Governor Arnold as Victor Friez.....uhhh, no.


Anthony

[koalaman35]

Just a thought, but I'd accept the apology and let him get back in your good graces.

[WalterB]

Yeah, Vicky, I understand your feelings, but I'd say cut him some slack. Everyone deserves the chance to atone themselves. And, you'll never know if he really changed or just wants tp appease your anger/hurt. But, as long as he cools it around you, I think that's the best you can hope to see.

[stickyvicky]

Yes I suppose, don't want unpleasantness with the neighbors, I already invited him to the xmas party.... but I'm not going to let him forget it. Plus I'm going to speak to his wife about it. In a nice way, I want to stay friends with them, but NO MORE KILLING!

[st1fler]

vicky I've got a snake in my pants and it needs to be slain. The only way to do it is to use a cat, a pussy cat

[koalaman35]

I understand that this can be a very emotionally troubling experience Vicky. I will volunteer (without any thought of recompensation of course) to speak to his wife about this in private and explain the situation to her. This could understandably lead to a very emotional response by her, who is of course an innocent victim in all of this, only finding out through the thoughtful responses by others that her husband is indeed a viscious murderer of innocent wild life. She will probably require some intense sexual, oh I'm sorry, psychological therapy and I am offering my services to comfort her through these troubled times. (We're getting pretty close to the deadline folks. I need to see a little support for the oscar nomination for 'flagrant suckup' here. Is it not obvious that I'm trying to go for the brass ring here?)

[bdhjones]

I'm not a fan of critters, either, but that's still no reason to kill them just for being there. You were well within your rights, Vicky, to be concerned. Unless that possum was seriously threatening someone or something, best thing is to simply chase it outside.

And yeah...the late Heath Ledger just rules as The Joker in "The Dark Knight Returns": too bad it was his last role before he passed away. Probably the best played villain in the Batman series since Tommie Lee Jones playing Two Face in <i>Batman Returns</i>. Jim Carrey as Edward Nigma (aka "The Riddler") and Uma Thurman as Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isley didn't suck either.

On the other hand..now Governor Arnold as Victor Friez.....uhhh, no.


Anthony

Jack Nickelson Joker was pretty good I thought.

[bdhjones]

I wasn't overly impressed with the Batman movie, for all the hype I thought it was going to be better, but I'll say the acting on the part of the joker was excellent.

I thought the plot was pretty interesting which to me made the movie pretty good. But I used to read comics and its easy for me to enjoy movies like this, except for some of the middle earth themes which I did enjou Lord of the Rings.