Hi all,
Everyone keeps complaining about the vast number of post that they receive.
Yet we keep covering the same information over and over again. As Bill
would tell us, "That's what the archives are for." There was a large
discussion on shipping in mid March. It was touch on in May and June. Then
in July there was another BIG discussion on shipping.
We had a brief respite for two weeks as other problems seemed to take
control of the list. Now in early August we are back to shipping.
I do not ship, check out my "Breeder" listings. I am very clear "No
Shipping". This is a hot and sensitive topic that will not be easily
settled, no matter how long and heated the discussion may be.
I also do not believe that it is smart to go full steam ahead into breeding!
(Supply and demand) I have a beautiful female CPGray Agouti that I am dying
to breed, but I have chosen not to, because two pairs are enough where I
live! (Someday I will breed a Gray Agouti pair, but probably not till one
of my current pairs retires.)
I understand the main concern is which side of the coin the new breeders
will choose. There have been a number of times that new members have
written and asked for advice on shipping, and I for one cringe!
Is there any way that the question of to ship or not to ship could be
answered through private email? We keep talking about cutting down on mail,
and saving the resident experts time and energy.
My biggest grip with the group is how many emails are answered thought the
list instead of personally. I don't mind hearing that Jane's gerbils had a
new litter or an emergency. What gets me is the number of people that feel
it is necessary to congratulate or sympathize with Jane through the list.
(I did this when I was first on the list, but why?)
Is it necessary to show others that we have the appropriate empathy. Why
not just send Jane a personal email letting her know that we are happy, sad,
or concerned for her. I feel that a majority of the emails should be
responded to in person.
There are a number of things that I feel should go to the whole list. I
have a resource folder where I keep important reference material. Mostly
answers to questions of breeding, health, care, nutrition, genetics, and
emergencies. Who knows this file may save me from having to post a problem
someday.
Oh well! So much for Janet's pet peeves.
One last word that no one will probably read, because it is so far down the
page. I believe that "Free Agency" is a fundamental right of every human.
However, my right to do as I please stops when it tramples on the rights of
others! If we do not believe that a law is just we should fight to change
it. We can choose our actions, but we cannot always choose the consequences
of that action.
Janet Morrow
Mountain Ash's Gerbils
"APATHY: Evil flourishes when good people do nothing."
Members of the American Gerbil Society
http://home.maine.rr.com/mountainash
