Portland, Tennessee Blog

KJ, Call the hospital. I'm not sure but I think they have the classes.

Where can I take a CPR class around here?

Indeed god did tell us to watch the animals. I do recall a wonderous story of a man, a boat, a flood and a great deal of animals. But I am also reminded that this book I read from was written by man and changed many times over. So I usually just skip the middle man and go right to the top. That being said for me, it just simply means doing the right thing. The right thing for me, is to get that butcher out of the vet business. To get the state to yank his license and press criminal charges against him. I used god alot in my blogs because I thought it would stir up real emotions around here. Instead it only proved to show the hypacrite's in this community. Well thats all I have to say about this for now. Godspeed Y'all.

Sorry jj, the idea of God feeling that animals are on the same level as humans seems kind of strange. Remember animal sacrifice? God did tell us to watch after the animals.

I have read several great blogs on here about this issue with our animals. It is indeed a can of worms as one likened it to. But my emotions do think for me. My heart makes decisions my brain would not and vise versa. I pride myself for being emotional on this issue. Its the same pride I took with me as a police officer, as a vet and as a sheriff. Its the same pride that when I and my brother and sisters in arms took up to fight for this country for good or bad so that everyone of us could voice their say. But its also the same pride that will not allow a barbarian such as Dr. Baber to continue service in my county. I liken my animals to children everyday, because in the eye of the beholder we are all his children. "Our pets are not our children and should not be treated as such. Comparing them to humans is just nonsense."
Hmmm. Wonder if god feels that way about us?

I find the actions of Dr. Baber reprehensible and strongly discourage Portland officials from sending animals to the Gallatin facility unless those practices cease!

I don't think dogs, cats and other animals should be treated "human-ly",and agree that comparing them to humans is nonsense! But I do think they should be treated humanely.

All I know for sure though is that the ultimate responsibility lies with the pet's owner. They are the ones to blame that these animals end up in the pound and unclaimed. It's a disgusting show of irresponsibility. Again, pets should not be compared to humans, but neither should they be likened to a toy with which one has become bored with and simply discarded.

We had to have our Chow put down this summer. She was 13 years old, deaf, blind in one eye and you could tell she was in pain by the way she walked. I loved that dog but I did not want to see her suffer anymore. I said my good-byes and was at peace with our choice.

My husband took her to the Portland Animal Hospital. He was with her when the vet gave her 2 shots. My husband said she just went to sleep. The doctor asked my husband to please leave the room while they got Fancy ready to take home and bury. They put her in a burial box. My husband took her back to her home and buried her under her favorite tree.

The hospital staff were very caring and understood that Fancy was a member of our family.
To me this was the only way to have a pet put to rest.

Our pets are not our children and should not be treated as such. Comparing them to humans is just nonsense.

Thank you, jwmason. I think you are right. No way to discuss reality with someone who is thinking with their emotions instead of their brain.

So jj, can we agree to disagree on this issue without all the name-calling? I hope so. I hope this dialog has at least been entertaining for the readers of the blog. Wish more of them would put their oar in the water, though.

I feel for you RC. It's a can of worms you can't win. I agree with your outlook tho.

RC,

let me know when you get old so i can do the humane thing ok?....what thats not what you ment...i must be reading the wrong post again...duh...i wonder why we can legally kill animals when they are sick or old, but yet we dont allow ourselves that same beautiful luxury...?...thats right...i aint chya smart as you all....he...he...Hmmm....? Must be that difference you were refering to huh?.....if that is not a superior action then do tell?....please inform us unedumacated ones....thank you reality.

um check that is....i've lost my appetite....

Oh, my friend jj;
You wrote: "We are superior to these so called animals right? I guess you believe that these animals were put here by god so that we the humans could kill them for pleasure because we are so superior?"
What?!?! I didn't say any of the things you accuse me of. I said our place in the world was DIFFERENT from an animal's. Not superior.

"Do you even read what you type?"
Yes, jj, I do. Do you?

"But it is without question great human's such as yourself and Dr. Baber, that make me look so much better."
Gee, jj, don't drown in your own humility. I'm glad I could boost your ego a little.

Actually, I was not being sarcastic in my last post. I honestly do hope that something positive can be done about the Animial Control issue in Sumner County. If you think I'm an evil person because I made the decision to have a aged pet put to sleep, I have to tell you, jj; I'm not the one with the problem.

PS If you would take the time to re-read my post, you'll see that the "Dr. B" I was referring to is Dr. Anthony Brizindine, who is an associate of Dr. Randall Collins. Both of them are compassion, caring veterinarians, and I have no qualms about putting my pets in their care.

Thank you, Mack. Every nickel is sincerely appreciated. Just think, if every citizen gave a nickel to the Library....it adds up !! :)
Population of Portland is about 10,000 ? Let's see....10,000 X a nickel....that's $500 !
That'd buy a lot of new books and newspapers !!

I believe in ending pain and suffering. Never a question about that. DR. Baber of this county, cought on video killing those animals without a moral fiber in his body. It was his will that he became a vet, no one forced him to do this job. And now he does this. This is our tax money, our officials letting this happen. We are humans? We are superior to these so called animals right? I guess you believe that these animals were put here by god so that we the humans could kill them for pleasure because we are so superior? Do you even read what you type? That is right up there with the video of the savior of the human race, Dr. Baber. Oh that was so indeed sarcasm. But it is without question great human's such as yourself and Dr. Baber, that make me look so much better. And for that friend, I whole-heartedly thank you. Godspeed brother/sister.

OK...I will be sure and drop by and bid a nickel or two.

While you're in the Library....I hope you'll bid on some of the items in the Silent Auction...:) and help support the library which provides your free papers for you.....

I don't buy either paper. You can read them for free at the library. I think both do a good job, except I have to deduct points from The Progressive for the Jacki Cook and Phil Valentine columns...both of which make me want to vomit.

Debbie, no one said it was easy.
But, a good journalist and a good paper will put important stories closer to the front than page 10. This was an important enough issue in town that a special called meeting was set to settle the issue. I would have thought The Leader would have placed more importance on it. At least some mention of it where it could be seen easily. I was just suprised to find it back on page 10 !

Just so you know, I do buy both papers, so The Leader is getting their 50 cents from me, too......LOL LOL.

This was a comparison of the two papers, and just my opinion only. It's still America and "ok" to state one's opinion.

I do subcribe to both papers but as soon as my subcriptions run out I will NOT be renewing one of them. Guess which one!!!

Hear ye, Hear ye!

Jack Hunter is a marvelous addition to the Portland Leader crew. If you think for one minute that a good Journalist should just live for criticism, you are dead wrong.

Why are people so competitive? The Leader and the Progressive are different. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and both teams of JOURNALISTS work very hard to put together a paper for the people of Portland to read. You might try buying both papers, and be thankful that you have a choice.

Until you walk in the shoes of the journalists in our town, don't be so quick to criticize. It isn't easy to be everywhere and know about everything that is going on. They are both operating with a small staff in a small town; they can't be everywhere. Give them a break, and don't be afraid to say "thanks" when they do a good job.

To jj and other animal lovers,

Go for it! Start a campaign to restructure the Animal Control programs in this county. I'm behind you 100%. I don't know about this vet in Gallatin who has apparently been inhumane in dealing with euthanasing animals; I was in no way advocating inhumanity in dealing with euthanasia. But I do accept that there are times when the kindest thing you can do is put an animal to sleep.

My own pets are also neutered and fed and cared for. But when they are too sick or old to continue to live with dignity, I have no problem with ending their suffering. We recently had a beloved pet put to sleep, and it was painful for us. However, it was a release from pain for the pet, and I don't regret for one minute taking her to Dr. Brizindine. We were treated with kindness and dignity by Dr. B and the entire staff.

You do have to admit, jj, that stray animals can be a problem. When I called the County Animal Control about a pack of stray dogs in our area, I was told that IF I WOULD CATCH THE DOGS, they would come pick them up. I'm not kidding.

So I wish you well in your efforts to update the attitudes and procedures in our fair county regarding Animal Control. It is badly needed. But please don't categorize me as an evil demon because I believe that an animal is not a human person. They have their place in the world, and it is different than ours.

jj...I agree with you and applaud your stance!!!! Could you imagine taking your beloved family pet to a vet that doesn't have any compassion for it other than a disposable rat that he can kill with just one shot rather than going by procedure and sedating them first? I hope Dr. Baber never practices again in Sumner County.....

Everyone saw the undercover video on the news...It was cold-blooded and insensitive considering this man's job and profession is to care for and safeguard the well-being of animals!!! Just remember it was Dr. Baber in Gallatin. Don't take your pets there!!!!

I have to agree that the Progressive is the place to read about the issues most affecting Portland. For example, the story about the issue of the hiring of the new Parks Director, the Progressive had it on the front page. The Leader had it on the back page of their first section, on page 10 !

I look to the Progressive for the most relevant news,as well.
It's, by far, the better paper, in my opinion.

Well Jack you are not much of a journalist if you can't take criticism.

I was just stating my opinion and I stand by it. I could care less if you like it or not.

Oh, and welcome to the Blog.........

In regards to comments by dontmakemelaugh......My name is Jack Hunter. I work for the Portland Leader. I find your remark about the Leader insulting and offending to us and to the Progressive. Since the Progressive has been in town, the two papers have had a good working relationship. Both papers work to the best of their abilities to provide their readers with the best information available to them. I read nothing in the thread that calls for such a statement as yours. I personally could care less if you ever pick up another Leader. Opinions like yours will never be found in our paper or in any other paper that has any integrity and professionalism.

It's becoming more and more obvious that if you want to know what is going on in this town you have to read the Progressive. They out do the Leader by a long shot. I wonder why........

Reality Check,

I am amused by your ignorance. Taxes are but monies I already pay to the goverment. So yes, if they want more to go no-kill, then by all means tax away. As for my services toward this, well I do love to tute my own horn, so here goes it. My Dear RC, I have personally saved over 2 dozen dogs and cats in my short 3 year span here in Tn. Every one of those dear creature's have been taken to a vet with moral's and dignity. Where they were given shots and yes dare I even say in this state, they were fixed/neutered.
They have either been placed in good homes or just stayed with me and my family , were they know they are well taken care of, loved and will always be safe from the likes of people like yourself. You are so concerned about the almighty dollar, that you fail to realize that god doesnt take money orders, checks, gold, diamonds, ect..ect...to get into the pearly gates.

So to sum this up. Yes, I have re-thought this and I am now even going to run my big mouth louder and ask the city to raise taxes, just to spite you and save creature of god. So I thank you and bid you GODSPEED.

Hey, jj!
Did I just hear you volunteer to house, feed, neuter, and clean up after every stray dog or cat in this county? What a wonderful service you have offered to provide for all of God's creatures!!

What's that? You don't have the space or the financial means to do that? Oh, that's right. Expect the government to come up with the facilities and the monies for it. (But don't dare raise your taxes, right?)

Better re-think this, huh?

Is anyone else in this town concerned about the vet who's still working in sumner county? Did I hear this right, that he has his license still? Did I understand this right,that our own mayor is still going to buy a brand new truck to transport innocent animals to this mad man? Our mayor can make a decision to have hundred's even thousands of animals(god's creatures)murdered without a blink. Makes me wonder what else he wont blink on? Wonder whos going to run him out of office? Next election is just a "BLINK" away mayor.....just a "BLINK" away....

I'd like to tell everyone about the Silent Auction going on right now at the Library !
There are a LOT of really nice items that would make great Christmas gifts and you'd be helping the Library, too !! The last day to bid on items is Dec. 1.