What is wrong with some people? Is their hard wiring screwed up? Are they missing a heart? Their soul? What ever happened to compassion?

The news today is awash with creepy and tragic tales of spouses (or spousal equivalents) going off on family pets to spite their estranged loved ones, or to satisfy their drunken urges.

The first story hails from Pasadena, Texas. Some woman allegedly ate three of the couple's seven gold fish. Supposedly this gal was ticked off that her soon-to-be ex was demanding the return of some jewelry he'd given her in better times. So to retaliate, she fried them up in a pan and put them on a plate.

When the cops arrived, she had already eaten several of the little finned babies. No animal cruelty charges will be filed. It's a civil matter, police say.

The second story is even worse.  A NASCAR fan, allegedly drunk and annoyed that the family parrot, Mikey, was squawking too much as the man watched cars race round a track on his television, shot and killed the 20-year-old African Grey with his BB gun. The pet-killer is reported to be remorseful, is seeking help for his alcoholism and has turned his gun in to police so it could be destroyed.

The man's wife made the call to police. Some people might be shocked she turned her husband in to the cops. In my opinion, she showed amazing restraint.

Perhaps I'm relating to these particular stories a bit too much. But I happen to have seven goldfish and an African Grey, amongst other critters. I love them all. Yes, even the fish. 

But more importantly, like most pets, they are descendents of creatures removed from their natural environment some generations ago by man. No longer living in the wild, these animals exist in an artificial environment (aka my home). Their domesticated status occurred through no fault of their own. And they are no longer able to fend for themselves. In short, they are fully dependant upon my care and protection.

If my beau, The Englishman, ever made a hostile move in their direction - not that he ever would, as he is a very peaceable creature - there would be a call made to the police. Someone would be reporting a homicide. Because one of us would be deceased.