Comment by Vet Vincent on 06 Oct 2009 at 11:31 am

Okay Karen. I get that you went through a lot but why torture yourself by answering questions? I read them all. I mean every single one. Very few idiots wrote you, many fine well adjusted people write you, doctors write you and now me, a vet? Okay. My question is related to the bird thrown. Did your father torture other animals? How about your grandfather? Did your brothers pick up ways of torturing animals from them? My wife read your book first. I picked it up one day when bored and read in one day. Puzzling and covers so many areas in your life. Did you ever own a dog as a child or adult? If you did, did you have anger feelings for the animal? Like your father or was those thoughts removed? What’s your opinion on men who abuse animals? Do you think that’s a sign of an abusive man or possible serial killer? If you seen a boyfriend kicking an animal would that forewarn you? Weird questions, okay, asking for a reason. Thanks.

Vet Vincent

Dear Vet Vincent,

Torture? I don’t think of my answering questions as torturous, even after all I have endured. Actually, I feel privileged to be alive and able to bring comfort and knowledge from my experience of being a multiple. I hope to help others on their own journey to wellness. I believe stories like mine need to be shared to bring awareness of child abuse, a horror that once was kept silent. I believe the more awareness, the less abuse.

Regarding my father’s and grandfather’s treatment of animals; to my knowledge neither ever owned a pet. There were signs that they were afraid of animals. They were the kind of person that would cross the street just because someone was walking their dog on their side. My thoughts on this? I believe most animals sense hatred and become defensive toward evil. Animals did not like either of them. Both my father and grandfather hated cats. Once I witnessed my father kick a cat down the alley as if it were a football. When added to what happened with the bird, I would have to say, yes, they did not treat animals kindly.

My siblings and I never owned a pet. My mother hated animals along with my father, and therefore we never were allowed to enjoy that experience. My brothers have their own pets these days. I’ve never witnessed any anger in them towards their pets. My brothers are overly protective and treat their pets like children. I love animals and have owned a dog, and other pets. I never had any thoughts of anger towards animals. I believe my father’s and grandfather’s reactions towards animals completely shifted our minds to love, not hate animals.

Thank you for writing in.

Karen