Every time I think I’ve heard the wackiest news possible,
I pick up the newspaper or turn on the TV and
discover that I haven’t come close to hearing the
weirdest stories. Especially when it comes to emotional
support animals.
Consider the report of the woman who wanted to
take her emotional support animal on a flight across
country. This is not at all rare these days. More and
more flyers are bringing emotional support critters
along on their travels.
But this story is mind-blowing.
A woman arrived at the airport with her peacock,
Dexter. I’m not an expert on peacocks. What I do
know is that they are extremely large birds, who tend
to emit shrieks like someone being murdered. I have
no idea why they do this, but I wouldn’t be very happy
to have this happen when I’m traveling on a plane.
And sitting next to a peacock is definitely not on my
bucket list.
Fortunately for the passengers who would’ve been
on the peacock’s flight, the airline refused to give
Dexter a boarding pass because of his weight and
size.
Good call by the airline. Can you imagine the emotional
health of the passengers if the peacock had
decided to take flight in the cabin, screaming loudly
as he soared overhead like Rodan? (Remember that
winged monster from that old movie?)
Then there was the 80-pound pig who became disruptive
and had to be removed from a plane. Apparently
he freaked out as the plane prepared to take
off, gave a terrified squeal and promptly had an accident
right in the aisle. His fellow passengers were
not thrilled.
Other emotional support animals have included
goats, a kangaroo, a marmoset, a duck, and a tur key.
If you think I’m making this up, just Google “weird
emotional support animals“ on your computer.
These emotional support critters are not to be confused
with service animals such as guide dogs for the
blind, hearing dogs and dogs trained to
help those suffering from PTSD. Service
animals are highly trained to be safe and
well-behaved around the public. To have
an animal certified as an emotional support
animal, you just need a letter from a
doctor saying you require this companion
for your mental stability.
Which leaves me wondering how far
this situation could go. How long will it
be before someone shows up at the
boarding gate with a bear, alligator or elephant?
Gives “fly the friendly skies” a whole
new slant, doesn’t it? And we thought
sitting next to a hyperactive child on a
sugar high was frightening . . .
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Don’t miss the book sale at Texas City’s public library
this Saturday, December 8, from 10 am – 3 pm.
It’s a fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of Moore
Memorial Library.
You’ll find everything from books to audiobooks to
DVDs. Hardbacks will be .25 each, hardbacks .50
and DVDs and audiobooks $1.00.
This is a good opportunity to find holiday gifts as
well as treats for yourself. Stop in and stock up. Moore
Memorial Library is in the 1600 block of 9th Avenue,
next to City Hall.
