{"id":16414,"date":"2020-10-21T17:24:09","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T22:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=16414"},"modified":"2023-01-19T10:36:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T16:36:18","slug":"chapter-3-first-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2020\/10\/21\/chapter-3-first-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 3: First Days"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thomas was standing at the reception desk, going over billing policies with Strawberry. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept an eye on the clock above the door, which was now five minutes past when the new employee was supposed to start her shift.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another five minutes passed before Tabby came bolting in. \u201cSorry,\u201d she said breathlessly, joining them at the desk. \u201cI accidentally left out a vial of fairy dust last night, and this morning I had a whole fairy convention-shindig-whatever going on in my living room, and Othello tried to clear them out, and it was this whole thing\u2026\u201d She shook her head slowly. \u201cSo, what are we doing today?\u201d She looked at Thomas expectantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Thomas said, realizing that he would likely be treated to many more stories of this nature now that they were working together, \u201cto start with, there are these new employment forms to fill out. Why don\u2019t you take a moment to get that out of the way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere they are,\u201d Strawberry piped-up helpfully, sliding some sheets across the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you know everything about me, Straw,\u201d Tabby said with a careless wave of her hoof. \u201cYou can fill them out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ms. Fershund, I want <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> to do it,\u201d Thomas said firmly. He recognized in her nature a certain disrespect for authority, and knew he was going to have to fight to keep the upper hoof with her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd<\/span> I <\/span><\/i>want you to remember my name preferences,\u201d Tabby said sharply, \u201cbut, here we are.\u201d Still, she pulled the proffered sheets of paper toward her and picked up a nearby pen,<\/span><\/p>\n

Seeing genuine annoyance in her eyes, Thomas judiciously decided not to pursue that topic. \u201cWhen you\u2019re finished, come and see me in the exam room,\u201d he instructed. \u201cWe\u2019ll start going over procedures, and maybe we\u2019ll have a walk-in or two by the end of the day for hoofs-on practice.\u201d With a curt nod, he excused himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby turned her face aside and rolled her eyes. She had needed to release her frustration somehow. Thomas was droning on about wound management. He acted like she was an absolute novice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, am I boring you?\u201d Thomas asked sharply, seeing that her attention had drifted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, kind of, yeah!\u201d Tabby huffed. \u201cTiny follows standard medical procedures, and I know the difference between an open and closed wound! You assume I\u2019ve just been throwing magic around willy-nilly. Anywhere we went, there were cultural observances that don\u2019t allow for magic healing, so I do have a firm working knowledge around these sorts of things!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas looked taken aback, but before he could respond, Strawberry poked her head into the exam room, and it was a welcome distraction. \u201cThere\u2019s a walk-in, a puppy with a cut paw. Should I send them in?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, go ahead,\u201d said Thomas, seemingly relieved at the distraction. Tabby simmered silently to herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby! Hi!\u201d Foxglove, a blue pony with purple hair, pranced into the room with her black Labrador puppy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby grimaced as discreetly as possible. Foxglove had been a sort of fan-girl of Tabby\u2019s since junior year in high school, when Foxglove had ended up with a broken leg after an ill-advised dare, and Tabby had healed it. It had been on the sly, of course, or Tabby would have faced ramifications for performing magical healing without a license. Since then, Foxglove had followed Tabby\u2019s career with interest, and Tabby always seemed to be running into her shopping, at the ice cream shop, or at church. Tabby honestly didn\u2019t know what to do with the attention, and so tried to avoid it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to have you back in town!\u201d Foxglove enthused, ignoring Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do live here, Foxglove,\u201d Tabby pointed out, taking the lively black puppy and holding him down gently on the exam table. \u201cI\u2019ve just been commuting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened here?\u201d Thomas interjected gently, beginning to examine the wound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI dropped a glass at breakfast and it broke, and he ran through it before I could clean up the mess,\u201d Foxglove explained. \u201cIt looks pretty bad, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a deep cut and could use stitches,\u201d Thomas agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but Tabby, you can just patch him up with magic, right?\u201d Foxglove turned a beseeching look on the pink unicorn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, that\u2019s not in my contract,\u201d Tabby said, shrugging. The movement allowed the puppy to wriggle away, earning Tabby a frown from Thomas who was trying to wash out the wound. Tabby quickly recaptured him and kept him in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not licensed for magical healing,\u201d Thomas clarified Tabby\u2019s statement. \u201cTabby, the monofilament.\u201d She hoofed him the supply.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foxglove looked sharply at the veterinarian. \u201cWho are you supposed to be, anyway?\u201d she asked, frowning. \u201cI thought Tabby was the doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Dr. Fairfax,\u201d Thomas introduced himself. \u201cThis is my clinic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Foxglove looked taken aback. \u201cI just assumed\u2026 well, at least it must have been nice to get a job closer to home,\u201d she chattered as the two unicorns got down to the business of stitching the wound. \u201cYou know, instead of running around through the woods all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know my motivations–gahhh!\u201d complained Tabby as the puppy nipped at her. She was trying to focus on the work, not make chit-chat! And now she looked ineffective, bested by a mere pup.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, of course not.\u201d Foxglove\u2019s voice oozed respect. \u201cI just mean, it\u2019s nice to see you again!\u201d She was unflappable!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, note that this calls for the broad spectrum antimicrobial topical agent,\u201d Thomas reminded her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know!\u201d Tabby snapped, picking up the tube from the drawer. Honestly, if he kept explaining everything in minute detail\u2026 But, not wanting to cause a scene in front of Foxglove, she pasted a smile on her face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice meeting you,\u201d Thomas said to the client as the appointment wrapped-up, holding out a hoof.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Foxglove looked at the veterinarian askanse and reluctantly took his proffered hoof for a hook-shake. \u201cWell, thanks\u2026 I guess,\u201d she said, and turned back to the assistant, instantly brightening. \u201cSee you around, Tabby!\u201d she said enthusiastically. \u201cHey, stop by the salsa shop sometime! I never miss karaoke night. Bye!\u201d Then she was off to see Strawberry about payment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a fan,\u201d Thomas observed dryly when they were alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby cast him a baleful look, spraying the counter with disinfectant before Thomas could issue the directive. \u201cWe were in high school together, and she thinks we\u2019re lifelong buddies,\u201d she replied shortly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not the right disinfectant for the counter,\u201d Thomas admonished, and she threw up her hooves in exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas could sense that his new assistant was touchy about the instructions he was giving, but he didn\u2019t know the details of her training, and she had to learn his way of doing things. If she couldn\u2019t tolerate that, well\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

A new challenge came with a cat exam later that day<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to need him declawed,\u201d the client, a burly red stallion named Firethorn, commented.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas gave him a piercing look, and there was a moment of uncomfortable silence. \u201cI don\u2019t declaw unless it\u2019s medically necessary,\u201d he said at long last. He noted an almost imperceptible lifting of Tabby\u2019s eyebrows, or it might have been his imagination. \u201cThere are other\u2026 <\/span>humane<\/span><\/i> options to try,\u201d he said carefully, \u201csuch as claw covers–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy building manager says no claws, period,\u201d Firethorn interjected, frowning. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you just declaw? Dr. Martingale in Neighberry does it all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Martingale is–\u201d <\/span>A hack<\/span><\/i>, Thomas wanted to say (his one encounter with the neighboring veterinarian had not made a favorable impression), but settled on, \u201c–not a specialist in small animals. Declawing is not good for the animal.\u201d Firethorn looked unconvinced, and Thomas continued, \u201cIt\u2019s equivalent to having part of a hoof amputated, and can lead to chronic pain and motility issues. The procedure is rarely done in New Pony–only for therapeutic reasons.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe that\u2019s where you should be,\u201d Firethorn huffed. \u201cIf I\u2019d known you were gonna be like that, I would have just gone to Martingale in the first place.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho is your building manager?\u201d Thomas asked, hoping to placate him somehow. \u201cLet me talk to them before you go to Dr. Martingale. Maybe they can be persuaded to adjust their policy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cName\u2019s Bramble. He\u2019s a stubborn old coot, so good luck with that,\u201d Firethorn snorted. \u201cBut fine, do what you want. I can keep Simon at my sister\u2019s for the rest of the week. But by Monday\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be in touch,\u201d Thomas promised.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Later that day, Tabby waited outside Thomas\u2019 office door, debating whether to ask the questions her mind was brimming with, or to leave well enough alone. She didn\u2019t really need to instigate more conflict between them, but\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Unexpectedly, the door opened, and Tabby was forced to explain her presence when faced with Thomas\u2019 inquiring glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something you\u2019d like to say?\u201d Thomas asked, tilting his head as if that would help make sense of her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026 yes!\u201d Tabby burst out, then paused. Was she crazy for thinking that this big city transplant was someone who wouldn’t talk down to her for asking questions, for trying to understand all sides of the issue? Rallying her spirits, she jumped in: \u201cYou\u2019re not going to make any friends coming in here and putting down local customs.\u201d She winced, bracing herself for a set-down. That had come out more adversarially than she had intended, but she hadn\u2019t been able to think of a better opening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs this about the declawing?\u201d Thomas said, frowning. She nodded mutely. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you come sit down.\u201d He ushered her in, and they resumed their positions from yesterday\u2019s interview. His gaze was hard to read. \u201cWell, I\u2019m not going to just compromise my ethics if someone asks me to,\u201d he stated firmly. \u201cThe animal\u2019s welfare is my primary concern.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHmm,\u201d said Tabby, picking up a pen from his desk and twirling it in her hoof. She settled into silence, but kept darting glances at him, considering her next move.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything else?\u201d Thomas finally asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know you consider us barbarians,\u201d Tabby stated, \u201cbut we\u2019re not as black-hearted as you would paint us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that. Just\u2026\u201d Thomas hesitated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIgnorant? Misguided? Irresponsible?\u201d Tabby suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Thomas said, looking at her speculatively, \u201cwe know that claw removal causes irreversible damage and lifelong pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut is the incident rate of pain greater than unexpected negative consequences in other surgeries?\u201d Tabby said in a rush. \u201cI\u2019ve known many of Dr. Martingale\u2019s patients who have been declawed, and I\u2019ve never seen one of these supposed cases of chronic pain and lameness. Have <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cLike I said, the procedure is rarely done. But that doesn\u2019t mean such cases don\u2019t exist. And it\u2019s a natural instinct to scratch; you can\u2019t just take it away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, reproduction is also quite a natural instinct, and we have no qualms in taking that away,\u201d Tabby pointed out bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose procedures lead to considerably higher quality of life, with small incidence of adverse effects,\u201d Thomas said, standing his ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a biological imperative of an animal to pass its genes on, and you\u2019re not doing it any favors as far as it is concerned. Don\u2019t disillusion yourself into thinking you are doing it for the animal,\u201d Tabby continued, impassionedly. \u201cSpaying and neutering are all about convenience for the owner, not the animal, same as declawing. If you are against one modification procedure, you should be against all. But that usually isn\u2019t the case.\u201d She gave him a challenging look.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see the point you\u2019re making,\u201d Thomas conceded. \u201cBut–\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd,\u201d Tabby forged on, unable to stop now, \u201cwhat if it\u2019s a choice of being provided for in a home, like Firethorn\u2019s, and being sent to an over-crowded shelter, slated for euthanasia? Isn\u2019t that quite a change in <\/span>quality of life<\/span><\/i>? I suppose you\u2019ll say that humane euthanasia is kinder than a lifetime of pain. But what if there <\/span>isn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> pain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve given the topic more consideration than most,\u201d Thomas admitted judiciously, \u201cand I respect your line of reasoning\u2026 even if it doesn\u2019t change my position.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to get answers without being condescended to,\u201d Tabby said after a pause. \u201cI\u2019m treated as a monster just for asking. But when has being condescending ever changed anyone\u2019s mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to understand it more from my perspective, I\u2019d recommend that you spend some time with comparative anatomy.\u201d Thomas walked to a bookshelf and ran a hoof along the spines before selecting one. \u201cStudy this,\u201d he instructed, \u201cand we can discuss it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClaws are made of keratin, not bone, so it\u2019s not a direct comparison,\u201d Tabby insisted, but took the volume from him. She had half-believed that this conversation would lead to her early dismissal, but Thomas had retained a surprisingly respectful attitude. She didn’t quite know what to make of him, but she felt a begrudging twinge of… <\/span>something<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas left her perusing the textbook and paced across the room to the window, gazing out. That had been a challenging discussion with a fresh viewpoint to consider, and he liked a challenge. Still, would it make it difficult to work together if they were diametrically opposed on such an issue?<\/span><\/p>\n

But these thoughts flew from Thomas\u2019 mind when he caught sight of something outside his window. \u201cWhat is that!\u201d he exclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Tabby asked, looking up from studying a diagram.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s some kind of wild beast prowling around outside,\u201d Thomas said, watching it warily. \u201cIt looks dangerous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of \u2018wild beast\u2019?\u201d Tabby looked skeptical, but walked closer to the window.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreenish, horns, fangs, spiked back\u2026\u201d Thomas listed its attributes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOhhhhhh,\u201d Tabby said knowingly. \u201cThat\u2019s just Othello.\u201d Standing next to Thomas, she waved out the window with a wide grin and then went back to the book as if that had cleared everything up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Othello\u2026 he had heard that name somewhere recently\u2026 where? \u201cIs he\u2026 dangerous?\u201d Thomas asked tentatively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Othello wouldn\u2019t hurt a–\u201d Tabby cut herself off. \u201cNever mind, you should see what he does to rabbits,\u201d she amended. \u201cBut he wouldn\u2019t hurt <\/span>me<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he your… pet?\u201d Thomas queried. <\/span>Fairies<\/span><\/i>, that was it. Othello had dealt with the fairies. The story from this morning suddenly took a more macabre spin.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I wouldn\u2019t say that, exactly.\u201d Tabby shrugged. \u201cHe is his own master. But he keeps an eye out for me. He\u2019s just here to walk me home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very conscientious of him,\u201d Thomas said, but winced as the beast looked him in the eye and bared his fangs. \u201cUh\u2026 what is he, exactly?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you know a hodag when you see one?\u201d Tabby looked at Thomas in disbelief, and turned to walk out into the hallway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas trailed along behind her, still not fully convinced that she wasn\u2019t walking to her death, or at least a mauling. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen one in the flesh,\u201d he admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby opened the clinic\u2019s back door, and the hodag bounded over, meeting her on the steps. \u201cWho\u2019s a good boy,\u201d she cooed, scratching him behind the ears. Othello rumbled deeply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know they were so friendly.\u201d Thomas still looked doubtful.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not, usually,\u201d Tabby said cheerfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas held out a hoof for the hodag to inspect. Othello sniffed it and snorted in disgust, shaking his horned head. Thomas drew back. \u201cI don\u2019t think he likes me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe does have discriminating tastes,\u201d Tabby said knowingly. \u201cHe might warm up to you. But… he probably won\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That was encouraging. \u201cHow did you meet him?\u201d Thomas asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI took him in as a pup after his parents were killed in a terrible accident,\u201d she said matter-of-factly. She did not elaborate, but straightened up and faced Thomas. \u201cWell, that\u2019s all for today, isn\u2019t it? Can I go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure…\u201d Thomas didn\u2019t think it would be wise to go up against the hodag. That wasn\u2019t a fight he was going to tackle today. \u201cSee you tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c…so that\u2019s why it\u2019s the responsible thing to allow leniency for alternate claw control methods,\u201d Thomas concluded his argument. It was the next day, and he had managed to catch Bramble on a phone call, \u201ciffen it don\u2019t take too long,\u201d Bramble had said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt ain\u2019t illegal, is it?\u201d Bramble snorted. \u201cCan\u2019t be that bad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot here, I suppose. But, as I said…\u201d Thomas sighed. All his carefully structured arguments, and <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> was the response?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cScratched up carpet and woodwork is too much hassle to repair, even with the security deposit. It\u2019s not worth it,\u201d Bramble said. \u201cNo, doc, I\u2019m sorry, but my position stands. Now, I gotta get to work. Bye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So that was that. Thomas stared at the phone thoughtfully as he replaced the receiver, contemplating the next steps to take with Firethorn.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a sudden flash of light, and then Tabby was standing there in front of his desk. \u201cWas that Bramble?\u201d she immediately inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby! If you must teleport,\u201d Thomas chastised her, \u201cat least observe common courtesy and knock first!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, I forgot,\u201d Tabby said, but not sounding like she really cared. \u201cSo, what did he say?\u201d She looked at him expectantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an interesting discussion,\u201d Thomas said vaguely. \u201cHe has, uh, very strong convictions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe threw you out on your ear, didn\u2019t he?\u201d Tabby nodded knowingly. She did not verbally say <\/span>I told you so<\/span><\/i>, but her expression spoke volumes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn a manner of speaking, yes,\u201d Thomas admitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat will you tell Firethorn?\u201d Tabby pressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the truth,\u201d Thomas said, \u201cand he will have to accept that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know\u2026\u201d Tabby said slowly, picking up a pen from the desk to fiddle with as was her wont, \u201c…you<\/span> do<\/span><\/i> have more modern equipment than Dr. Martingale. If <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> did the operation, you\u2019d know it was being done in the most efficacious way possible.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas hesitated for only a fraction of a second, then shook his head. \u201cNo, I won\u2019t do it. There\u2019s no justification.\u201d He had his own convictions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the end of the world,\u201d Tabby said, surprising him with her equanimity. \u201cJust give Firethorn a free bag of cat food, and he\u2019ll stop whining.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to reward–\u201d Thomas started, then realized that she had already gone, teleported away. \u201cOh, never mind,\u201d he said to himself. What had she even been there for in the first place?<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

A few days later, Thomas was leaning on the wall outside the exam room, looking over a chart while Tabby was checking in a patient. Having satisfied himself as to her experience, he had relaxed his micro-management and given her more lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI hear your boss got an earful from Bramble,\u201d he overheard the client say to Tabby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas groaned inwardly. Apparently that account was traveling through the local grapevine, and he wouldn\u2019t live it down anytime soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey had some matters of business to discuss,\u201d Tabby replied in a cool tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, not that I\u2019m one to critique,\u201d confided the other mare, \u201cbut it does seem a little <\/span>forward<\/span><\/i> of the doctor, if you ask me! He doesn\u2019t know how we do things around here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, apparently no one from \u2018around here\u2019 was willing to step in and take care of our pets,\u201d Tabby pointed out. \u201cSo he <\/span>does<\/span><\/i> have that going for him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a subtle defense, but Thomas felt inordinately pleased that she wasn\u2019t using the opportunity to vilify him behind his back. There would undoubtedly be more disagreements in their future, but maybe that wasn\u2019t such a bad thing, after all. He could live with that.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

Author’s note: The declawing controversy is one I follow with interest, so I thought it would make an interesting debate for my protagonists. Like Tabby, I was raised in a culture where declawing was not just allowed but expected, so I hope you don\u2019t judge her too harshly for asking these questions. Our society encourages us to vilify the opposition to the point of being sub-human, but I would ask you to consider the angle that we are all simply doing the best we can with information gleaned from our different life experiences to make sense of the world.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The hodag is a \u201creal\u201d mythical creature from the Northwoods of Wisconsin around Rhinelander. The cryptid was popularized in 1893 by Eugene \u201cGene\u201d Shepard.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thomas was standing at the reception desk, going over billing policies with Strawberry. Out of the corner of his eye, he kept an…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30499,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[1078,1080,1079,1081,1077,1072,1076],"class_list":["post-16414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing","tag-bluebell","tag-bramble","tag-firethorn","tag-othello","tag-sugarberry","tag-tabby","tag-thomas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16414"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31380,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16414\/revisions\/31380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}