# Bonsai kittens?-- no, implied pet abuse **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 21, 2002, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320 "2002-03-21T10:23:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/1 "2002-03-21T10:23:40Z")
Go back to another thread if easily upset at implied pet abuse. Okay, so if anyone wants to call me a humourless old wowser on this (a wowser being the equivalent of a fun-less stick-in-the-mud) – fine. Do so. But I think that starting up websites like [Bonsai Kitten](http://www.bonsaikitten.com) is beyond the pale. The Internet is a fine ol’ free-for-all of a place – but this kind of stuff is terrible. Animals are abused enough already by the dim and the cruel among us – here we have more fun ideas for whatv to do with cute, furry, living “toys”. Ugh. Sorry if the rant is too light on the hot spices tonight, and hardly even a BBQ – words fail me on this. ---
**Author:** ![White\_Lightning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@White\_Lightning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/White_Lightning)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/2 "2002-03-21T11:06:08Z")
Words don’t fail me. Here’s several. First of all, [it’s not real](http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/outrage/bonsai.htm). Second of all, [we’ve talked about it](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=75904). Third of all, [we talked about it again](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=77348) shortly thereafter. Fourth of all, don’t worry about it too much because [you’re not the only one](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=99835) that believed it. To be fair, **Ice Wolf** It’s not necessarily clear from the OP whether you actually believe the Bonsai Kitten site is real. It’s possible that all you’re saying is that despite its hoaxhood, it will still make people think they should ‘try this at home.’ ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/3 "2002-03-21T11:39:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ice Wolf \* > \*\*Go back to another thread if easily upset at implied pet abuse. > > Okay, so if anyone wants to call me a humourless old wowser on this (a wowser being the equivalent of a fun-less stick-in-the-mud) – fine. Do so. But I think that starting up websites like [Bonsai Kitten](http://www.bonsaikitten.com) is beyond the pale. > \*\* Maybe they need some sort of disclaimer on the website for the humor impaired. I thought the site was kind of funny. Then again I have a bumper sticker on my fridge that says “Ask me about microwaving cats for fun and profit.” Marc ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/4 "2002-03-21T12:33:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ice Wolf \* > \*\* Animals are abused enough already by the dim and the cruel among us – here we have more fun ideas for whatv to do with cute, furry, living “toys”. > \*\* Sure…next you’ll tell me that [Baby Seal Clubbing for Fun and Profit](http://www.sealclubbing.com/) is wrong. I’ll tell ya, what’s wrong with making big bucks doing something you love??? I think that claiming a piece of satire is responsible for some one’s actions is beyond the pale. If a person is stupid enough to believe the Bonsai Kitten site, that represents a problem with the person, not the website. But that’s just my opinion, and too frequently it seems I’m in the minority. Go find a real travesty to complain about, will you? ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/5 "2002-03-21T16:13:40Z")
Are we going to ban humor that might offend someone before or after we ban sporting events in which extremely fluke circumstances can cause tragedy? Not that, y’know, I’m judging one way or the other. I’m just curious about the timeline of the great coccooning plan. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/6 "2002-03-21T16:57:44Z")
> [@](#): > > is something going on now in Mexico that I happen to think is cruelty to animals. What I’m talking about, of course, is cat juggling. -Steve Martin ---
**Author:** ![Seraphim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Seraphim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seraphim)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/7 "2002-03-21T17:07:25Z")
I’ve always wondered if the people who start these threads also write affronted letters to the makers of “Tom and Jerry.” ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/8 "2002-03-21T18:03:05Z")
Admittedly, there are several modifications I’d like to see made to any cats around our house. For one thing, when a cat parades around with his/her tail in the air, it insures that the feline’s anus is thus visible to 93.7% of any given room’s inhabitants. What’s the matter with that? It looks like the tree collar on a poorly trimmed oak limb. I look at that thing and just automatically think “Damn, that arborist did a terrible job removing that branch. Look how much overgrowth has puckered up where the limb used to be. And good lord, haven’t you heard of pruning paint?” Then I realize it’s just the cat and not my Live Oak butt still the damage has already been done and my gardening sensitivities have been assaulted. Also, a nice, full, frosty beer in a mug is probably too much for the flat head of a cat to support all the way from the kitchen to my easy chair but I don’t think a shot glass should be outside the realm of possibility. Here kitty kitty. ---
**Author:** ![Newton\_meter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/57b2e6/32.png) [@Newton\_meter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newton_meter)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/9 "2002-03-21T18:25:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beelzebubba \* > \*\*Go find a real travesty to complain about, will you? \*\* [This](http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/swift.htm) absolutely makes me sick. kg m²/s² ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/10 "2002-03-21T19:04:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Seraphim \* > \*\*I’ve always wondered if the people who start these threads also write affronted letters to the makers of “Tom and Jerry.” \*\* Probably. But scarier still, in my opinion, is that these are the kinds of people who don’t stop at simple letters of disgust to the editors of papers, or the makers of Tom & Jerry. These are the kinds of people who often have the time, and the bizarro willpower, to have their opinions and ideas heard and adopted by lawmakers far and wide. Terrorists aren’t a threat to you and me. Self appointed caretakers of society who know, through their own tireless observations on society and what ails it, are. Sometimes I wish these people would just stick to writing letters to the makers of Tom & Jerry. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/11 "2002-03-21T19:13:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Newton meter \* > **[This](http://www.eng.as.fvsu.edu/swift.htm) absolutely makes me sick.** Eating babies??? That’s worse than putting kittens in bottles. That’s sick, sick, sick. That man should be locked up. [sub]Oh, he’s dead.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/12 "2002-03-21T19:15:51Z")
**White Lightning** – Yeah, I knew it wasn’t real (sorry the wording of the OP was unclear on that one), and thanks for finding the other threads on the topic (I did a search, but not a successful one). Thanks for the summing up in your last sentence: yes. I’m concerned that there are those, unable to separate fantasy from reality, who’d “try it at home”. Right along with some of the yobs in my neighbourhood who tie fireworks to ducklings, etc. etc. **Beelzebubba** , **Drastic** – I’m not into censorship, not into blinkering the morons among us. Which is the most direct, fascist way of stopping idiots yanking “really cool” ideas from off the Internet and elsewhere. Eh, the best way to to let this site fade. In a while. A long while. After all, if I’m the third Doper to have spotted this, there’ll be more after me, and that’s just in our little corner of the universe. To everyone who’s replied – I’ve appreciated your imput. You’re all quite right – best to say “t’hell with it!” and walk away. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/13 "2002-03-21T19:22:50Z")
> [@](#): > > After all, if I’m the third Doper to have spotted this, there’ll be more after me, and that’s just in our little corner of the universe. Just so you know, you’re far from the third Doper to encounter the site. Or the thirtieth, or the three hundredth. Most of us just don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/14 "2002-03-21T19:36:45Z")
> [@](#): > > _Orig. by andros_ > Just so you know, you’re far from the third Doper to encounter the site. Or the thirtieth, or the three hundredth. Most of us just don’t care. Apart from those who click on this thread, and make a post? Not to mention those who clicked and viewed only? “Bonsai kittens” and “pet abuse” attracts attention, it seems. Interesting to note. Yeah. I don’t really care, either. Must’ve been a brain-fart. (Over 400 views? Good heavens!) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/15 "2002-03-21T19:50:51Z")
I think Ice Wolf’s got a pretty good point though. Before the WWW.Kamakazi\_Pug.Com site came on line, the breed was known for their long, graceful noses. Gawd, _sniff_ those were beautiful dogs. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/16 "2002-03-21T19:51:50Z")
Er, yeah. Ok. Whatever you said, I’m sure I agree. But please consider the possibility that enough people have seen the site that it’s fun to laugh at someone who takes it seriously. I respectfully submit that’s the main reason for your high number of page views. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/17 "2002-03-21T19:54:39Z")
That was directed to **Ice Wolf** , of course. Not **lieu** ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/18 "2002-03-21T20:15:02Z")
Regarding the laughing: whatever floats your boat, and tickles your funny bone, **andros**. I’ve had an interesting time reading some of the responses here. My, we accept a lot as mundane these days, don’t we? The jaded rule. How sad. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/19 "2002-03-21T20:29:42Z")
I just wanted to say that, anyone potentialy stupid enough to take the Bonsai Kittens site seriously, and attempt to try such modifications, would probably be too stupid to live to adulthood. Such an extreme idiot would likely be killed in a blender accident or some such. Not to mention, anyone that stupid would probably also be incapable of working a computer well enough to ever see that site. So I think the kitties are safe… For now. ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320/20 "2002-03-21T20:43:09Z")
Anyone stupid enough to try it would quickly discover that it is physically impossible to do. Of course, before they could try it, they’d try to send away for the kit - which, of course, doesn’t exist. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonsai-kittens-no-implied-pet-abuse/99320.md?page=2)