Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Susan McHugh's, Bitches From Brazil.

(1)

McHugh's article, discussed the bold questions of cloning and the integral concerns behind the topic. In today's world money can buy anything, and that's exactly what this article is outlining. To explicate it a little further, wealthy owners have an aging dog named Missy. Rather than facing the reality that Missy will no longer to apart of their life in the future, they want to buy a "new" Missy, though the original essence of Missy will not be present this new created canine.

Marketing is a significant tool with tremendous power. While McHugh's article outlines the concerns for cloning, she also explicates the power of marketing behind potentially questionable ideas or concerns. Again, money can buy approval. McHugh talks about how society may not be so keen on the idea of cloning dogs at first, "It will take the general public about 5 minutes to accept dog cloning, once the first puppies are born and shown on the evening news" (196). Society falls in love with baby animals; whether that is kittens, bunnies, fawns, or puppies, when we look at this little creatures to the human eye it doesn't matter where they came from because we will fall in love with them anyway.

(2)

"Cute" and "Anti-Cute." Why do we find some animals adorable and others not as adorable, I find some quite frightening. I suppose it is all perception, some individuals favor different critters. I am not a fan of reptiles or amphibians. Yet, I know a number of people that love their pet snake or gecko. I think at a young age if you are exposed these "anti-cute" creatures your perception may actually see them as cute. Whereas, more traditionally when someone is only around they furry pets, a reptile is like night and day, it is pretty obvious why this cold blooded snake isn't cute to a cat owner.

The "anti-cute" pets to me aren't necessarily repulsing, yet I just don't have a desire to own one or even pretend to enjoy their appearance. I would never insult a lizard or turtle, but I suppose I feel like I don't have any personal ties to them which directly relates towards their "cuteness" factor. I would imagine childhood history plays a substantial role in "cuteness."

(3)

Providing affections for some animals and not others directly relates to the "cute" and "anti-cute" animals. I think if someone is brought up with a pet turtle, they will more than likely always have warm feelings for turtles. As a child, I remember several of my friends having snapping turtles as pets. I never cared for them, but to this day one particular friend is still in love with turtles. All animals are different, just the same with all people. Everyone finds affections in different ways.

My affection goes to my feline Persian cat, Schnitzel. I love all cats, but to be completely honest, I have way more affection to Schnitzel than I do towards my childhood cats at my parents house and even my Siberian Husky. The experiences one has with their animals from the beginning most certainly weigh in on how their affection grows into a relationship.

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