I can't meet anyone's standards, so I will have to give up in failure.

The welfare of animals ranks high on my list of priorities but I'm learning that nothing I do is up to standards set by the millions of folks who have agendas. There are no small steps encouraged, no learning curve allowed... just a leap into an abyss.

I admit that I "own" animals as that is the preferred label that local authorities give humans for sharing their lives with animals... and they require paid licenses for me to do so. I hope that I will always be able to "own" animals throughout my life... have them sleep on my bed, trounce all my flowers and tolerate my company. I teach my animals some human survival tips in this wretched world of criticism and judgement, as I have learned.

I "own" two male cats (both neutered). One recovered from a serious early kitten illness and may have fragile health all his life. The other is semi-feral. They live inside in a lovely bright room designated for them alone. It used to be a guest room but now it's the cat room. Opinions about cats vary from "keep them inside"... "let them roam and be free!" to "they're ill or not domesticated, so kill them!"

I also "own" a bird and a fish. Both "rescued" from the animal industry and since I had experience with both species, felt that I could give them their best chance. Not so, I am a demon of contribution.

I'm an ovo-lacto vegetarian due to an illness two decades ago. I do my best to choose appropriate foods that animals produce but was told by a good friend that I'm a hypocrite because my consumption of cheese is directly related to the veal industry and ...eggs... well let's not go there.

When I choose non-leather shoes, I can be assured that petroleum products were required to make the fabrics. I've always worn natural fabrics but now cotton, silk and wool are considered products that are cruel or unfriendly. I was recently given shampoo and conditioner that was labelled "vegan" and after inquiry learned that there are no animal products... but it's filled with the regular chemicals.

While I still have TV, I enjoy the competition of a good race or sport but cruelty abounds in all venues... even creeping into card playing where buxom women of skimpy tops and men never see the light of day. A horse race is not a horse race, dogs performing in the field is nasty and apparently, I am no longer ethical while enjoying watching and learning about the many breeds at a dog show.

I use a doggy-poo bucket service which takes the contents to the treatment plant. I compost and recycle so the garbage men rarely visit every 4 weeks to take the tiny contents of the can. I shop carefully and to the best of my ability and budget. I live frugally and with less impact than most, following my family's survival tricks from the Dirty 30's.

So I wish you all well and that each agenda will bend and flex until balance and common sense abounds. I will design my own agenda and speak out when I witness wrongs... and perhaps I will make other people give up in failure too.