What. The. Fuck.

[smbolisnch]

I am about to go off the deep end. Dead freakin animals.

The woman who was Mavis's previous owner has been a friend of mine since junior high. She has always had a tendency to do things to the extreme, usually for the shock value of it. Nevertheless, I love her to death. I believe that was the motivation behind her getting Mavis in the first place - oooo, I have a Pit Bull, that kind of thing. I am always the sensible one, and the one who bails her out....once, literally. She has learned to work me that way. Megan will fix it.

Her son is 4 years old and incredibly spoiled. I have always adored him as well, up until his recent antics (i.e spitting in my face for trying to put his socks on). Anything he wants, he gets. A chick at easter? Sure, here is a chicken. A mouse since the last one got squeezed too hard? Sure, here you are. A dog since you mistreated Mavis and we had to send her away? I don't doubt that will be the next move. :eyes:

She will be returning from the beach tomorrow. I was intended to feed her cat and fish every day, but she called Friday before she left and said no, the neighbor was going to do it becasue the rooster needed fed every day - it would be easier for him. For the last week, I have mulled over whether or not to discuss the Mavis issue further or let it go. In other words, do I let it ruin a long time friendship.

This afternoon, I went to the house to get a toy of Mavis' and check on the cat and mail. When I got out of my car, there was an odd smell. I went in the house and bubby had no food. I figured maybe she had finished it already today, but I fed her anyway. I decided to check on the rooster. When I went over to his pen, the smell of roadkill (if you live outside of the city, you know this smell) was overwhelming. I yelled "rooster, rooster!" No rooster. He was dead, in his little house. I didn't go look. :cry:

I left a note for my friend of what I found.

What the FUCK am I supposed to do now? If this was a random person, would I be reporting them for animal cruelty? What do I say to her tomorrow when she gets home?? I am in her wedding in 3 weeks. My husband and father have both now refused to go after this with the animals. I am stuck.

I am sorry this so so long, but it is a long, dramatic saga. Also sorry for the mouth like a sailor, but it is totally called for, I think.

And sage advice??
:grr:

[shockra]

1. Oh, crap.

I don't have any sage advice at the moment. I'm still trying to get over what she thinks she's doing keeping all those animals.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this. :hug:

I don't know how you can stand to think about going to her wedding. I think I'd be seething during the whole thing.

[CrispyQ]

2. Apologies, but this has brought out my misanthropic feelings. Arghhh!!

The kid sounds like a brat who has learned from Mom that animals are just objects, no different than cheap plastic toys from Walmart that can be replaced.

Her rooster starved to death because she didn't care enough to make certain he was provided for. The mouse died because she didn't care enough to make certain her child understood that a mouse is a living, breathing creature. Mavis is now in your care for the same damned reason. How many more animals does she have to dispose of before you call her out on her cruel & thoughtless behavior? (Incidentally, the child spat in your face because she doesn't care enough to raise a caring, responsible human being.)

Why do you continue a friendship with someone like her? I suspect that if you weren't so helpful & tolerant of her behavior she would dispose of you too (your friendship, I mean). Life is too short to waste time with people like this.

Tell her to go fuck herself & by the way, she's short a bridesmaid for her wedding.

:rant:

on edit: spelling errors galore!

[flvegan]

3. Okay, hold on...

Let's look at this bit by bit. Who is/was responsible for feeding the animals? Who is this neighbor?

I understand that your friend is a little...absent (I'm REALLY trying to be positive, and maybe a little devil's advocate here) but I also hate to lay blame before the bed is made, you know?

I AM very sorry, though, that you experienced this. I'm deeply saddened that animals were mistreated, and that a rooster starved to death. What a way to die. If the neighbor was entrusted for the care of the animals, I'd report him to the cops.

What is the friend's take on the current situation(s)? Remorse? Anger? With these answers you can determine your wedding status, I think.

[smbolisnch]

4. Okay.....

1. The neighbor was supposed to be feeding them everyday. I am going back in the morning and knocking on his goddamned door. I have known him (more like, of him) since high school. I will find out what his understanding of HIS role was.

2. I do not want to jump the gun either. I just know that she has a tendency to be completely irresponsible. She does not know about this yet. She will be back in town tomorrow evening.

3. I am afraid that the rooster died from dehydration. He was humongous, so the food would not have killed him in a few days. No water in this heat, would. :cry:

4. I will try to discuss this with her calmly when she gets home tomorrow.

What do you think I should say to the neighbor? I guess I should be diplomatic, at least at first.

[flvegan]

5. My thoughts...and I'm nuts, btw...

1. Talk to your friend about the neighbor's role. What was the agreement? If he has neglected his part of the "contract" then your friend should press charges (you get to be a witness, huzzah!);

2. Of course not. There's a sense of urgency. Hell, I can feel it here in Tampa. But, YOU are smart, level-headed and well grounded;

3. Shit, that's even worse. See #1;

4. You get to be the cop now. It's about getting the info on the situation. Remember that you're representing the interest of those animals and the interests of future animals that this dumbass need not be around.

You'll be fine. See #2.

P.S.
You'll want a witness to go with you. Testimony rocks when it's put forth by more than 1 person.

[smbolisnch]

6. ***Update***

My friend came home today and was furious over the chicken. She went over to the neighbor and he said he saw it Thursday. Not a chance. I saw the bird. She was feathers and a skeleton. Maggots had eaten her head. :mad: She had to have been dead since Tuesday or Wednesday.

This guy is going to be sorry, I'll tell you that.

We took photos of it tonight and I am calling the SPCA monday to report him.

If you have any advice, I would appreciate it. I have never had to do this before. :cry: